When patients visit any of our three offices they have several choices for their denture needs. We can fit them with complete dentures when all the teeth in the upper or lower arch are missing. If they are missing just a few or several teeth, we can manufacture partial dentures to complete their smiles. Or they can choose the newest addition to our list of choices: implant dentures.
Whichever they choose, our priority is providing each patient with comfortable, aesthetically-pleasing dentures that look completely natural. They should fit securely and enable the patient to eat, talk and laugh with complete confidence. And, of course, they should fit so well that they do not create any sore spots in a patient’s mouth.
Dr. Tong and Dr. Huang, each with many years of experience, oversee the creation of every denture in our three offices to ensure a very high degree of quality.
Complete Dentures
This traditional type of denture replaces all the upper or lower teeth with one appliance. Porcelain teeth are mounted in an acrylic base that matches the color of the gums. When a complete denture is made well, it should not require adhesive to keep it securely fastened in the mouth. However, there will always be dietary limitations associated with traditional dentures.
Partial Dentures
To replace a few teeth in a row or missing teeth scattered around the upper or lower arch, a partial denture can be made. This denture features porcelain teeth matched to the patient’s natural teeth and an acrylic base. A partial denture has a type of hook attachment to secure it to natural teeth.
Implant Dentures
The development of successful dental implant technology over the last few decades now enables us to use implants to secure upper or lower complete dentures or partial dentures.
The process starts with the placement of titanium implants—slender posts—in the jaw to anchor these dentures. The position of the implants is carefully chosen to utilize the strongest portion of bone in either the upper or lower jaws, and to provide stable support for the denture.
Once these implants are placed, they are allowed to heal for three to six months so they have a chance to fully integrate with the bone. During this time, a patient will be provided with temporary dentures and be advised to eat soft foods only.
The final dentures will then be manufactured. We can design them to fasten permanently to the implants. Alternatively, the underside of the denture can be provided with a socket that snaps onto the implants allowing it to be removed each night.
Our patients who have chosen implant-supported dentures have been very happy with their decisions. No longer do they have to limit their food choices. They can eat what they want. They are confident that their dentures will not shift and there’s no clicking when they talk, eat or laugh.