Dentures & Partial Dentures

A denture is a removable dental appliance and a replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.

There are two types of dentures – complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.

A complete denture can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed (usually takes 4 to 6 weeks). During this time, the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.

Reasons for dentures:

• Complete Denture – Loss of all teeth in an arch.

• Partial Denture – Loss of several teeth in an arch.

• Enhancing smile and facial tissues.

• Improving chewing, speech, and digestion.

What does getting dentures involve?

The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over a period of several weeks. Highly accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Several “try-in” appointments may be necessary to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit.

It is normal to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty, however this will subside as your muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures.

You will be given care instructions for your new dentures. Proper cleaning of your new dental appliance, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new dentures.

Implant Dentures

Removable dentures (partial and complete) have been a staple of dental care for decades. One of the most common complaints about dentures – and lower dentures in particular – is that they are difficult to keep in place. Fortunately, with the advanced is dental implant technology, we not only use implants to replace missing teeth, but we can use implants to anchor on dentures. Hence, a denture that is held in place (entirely or in part) by dental implants is known as an implant denture.

What is an implant denture?

An implant denture is a regular denture that has special attachments built in which allow it to connect to dental implants below. A common example is to use two dental implants in the bottom jaw in the area of where each of the canines (“eye-teeth”) would be. The denture is then made to snap on to these two dental implants.

What are the advantages of an implant denture?

The advantages of an implant denture include significantly increased stability compared to a denture that’s not retained by implants. And because implant dentures fit securely in place, patients are much more comfortable speaking, smiling and eating, as there is very little chance that a properly fit implant denture will come out of the mouth.

What are the disadvantages of implant dentures?

The disadvantages of having an implant denture fabricated is the time needed to have the implants placed and have the implants osseointegrate (heal), as well as the cost of the implants and the expense of having the denture designed to work with dental implants. That being said, if you consider the time people spend with relines, denture adhesives, and with the frustrations that go with a lower complete denture, the benefit of having an implant denture greatly outweighs the disadvantage that is the cost.

Am I a candidate for an implant denture?

As with dental implants that are used to replace single or multiple natural teeth, one of the key determining factors of whether or not someone is a dental implant candidate is the amount of bone they have remaining. Because patients who are long-term lower denture wearers tend to have significant bone loss (hence the inability of the denture to fit well), it’s critical to have an evaluation sooner rather than later to see if enough bone is present. Bone resorbs over the years, and the longer that someone waits to have potential implants place, the greater the chance is that they might not have enough bone to support the implant. Of course, in cases where there isn’t adequate bone, we are sometimes able to add bone in a procedure called a bone graft.

Stop hating your lower denture

If your wear a loose lower denture, and you are ready to look forward to eating and smiling with confidence again, it might be time to consider an implant denture.

Lower Suction Denture Specialist

Dentures are a necessity for many people who have lost their teeth due to decay or damage. They allow you to chew your food properly and help you speak clearly. Dr. Paulo Cortes and the staff of San Diego Smile Center are here to help you if your dentures have been damaged or broken. They are also capable of helping form a new set of dentures if you’ve had your teeth pulled. If you live in Mira Mesa within the San Diego area and need new dentures, call and make an appointment with Dr. Cortes as soon as possible.

Call Now: (858) 566-0842

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Lower Suction Denture Q & A

"If your dentures are not becoming to you, you should be coming to us."

Lower dentures don’t have to “float” anymore!

Dr. Jiro Abe in Japan has developed a revolutionary new technique to achieve suction in lower denture! Up until now we all believed and were taught in dental school that suction on lower dentures was impossible and the only way to keep them stable was with costly implants. In 2018, Dr. Cortes traveled abroad to get his certification in Lower Suction Denture technique. When Dr.Cortes first learned about this technique, he was immediately excited because this is a revolutionary technique and will not only benefit denture wearers but will improve their lives.

How is this done?

• Revolutionary new impression technique using slow setting, high definition material to capture muscles of cheek and tongue

• New teeth positioning to work in harmony with your muscle

• High definition impression materials

• Special bio-functional teeth
  Lower distortion acrylic injection machine to gain superior fit

• Adjustable articulator to simulate your jaw movements

• Special contouring and shaping of the denture to work in harmony with your muscle movements when chewing and speaking while in function

Will it work for me?

• 80% of patients are candidates for our lower suction dentures.

• An exam will be performed in a consultation to see if you’re a candidate, but the level of suction will be known after the final impression is taken. Even if you’re not a candidate for lower suction dentures you will have a better fit. Food will not be as likely to get underneath your denture.

These dentures are incredibly more biocompatible than conventional dentures. We still offer conventional dentures for those that need a more affordable option.

No Implants! No Suction Cups! No Gimmicks!