Dentures – Newbury Park, CA
Enjoy a Full Set of Teeth Again
Losing multiple teeth can change your life, and not for the better. Your self-confidence will likely suffer, and things you previously didn’t have trouble with – such as eating or speaking – will suddenly become more difficult. Dr. Chafee can replace your missing teeth with dentures that feel comfortable and look as natural as possible thanks to the latest technology. Read on to learn more about dentures, and feel free to give us a call if you’re interested in scheduling a consultation.
Why Choose Paraiso Family Dental & Orthodontics for Dentures?
- Lifelike, Personalized Dental Prosthetics
- Partnered with Local Experts for Implant Placement
- Highly Experienced Dental Expert
Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Nearly everyone with missing teeth can be an excellent candidate for dentures, but the first step to receiving these amazing restorations is scheduling a consultation With Dr. Chaffee at our Newbury Park office so he can evaluate your oral health and determine the best way to replace your lost teeth. If you’re not ready for dentures yet, you may be able to become an excellent candidate after restoring your oral health with gum disease therapy or other treatments. Here’s a brief guide to what you’ll need to qualify for a gorgeous and functional set of dentures.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Tooth loss is frequently caused by factors such as injury, infection, age, and genetic conditions, and it can lead to a range of oral health issues such as chewing problems, difficulty speaking, gum injuries, dental misalignments, and new oral infections. Tooth loss can also diminish a person’s self-esteem and make them less eager to engage socially or smile at friendly gatherings.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Dentures can be a fantastic way to address extensive tooth loss, extreme dental sensitivity, or severely decayed teeth if the patient has healthy gums and jawbones. Patients who receive dentures must also commit to excellent oral hygiene and appliance maintenance habits to keep their restorations and their mouths in great shape.
The best type of denture for you depends on how many teeth you are missing. Partial dentures are great for those who are missing one, a few, or many teeth throughout their mouths, and full dentures can replace complete arches of missing teeth. If you are looking for a way to make your dentures stronger and longer lasting, securing them with dental implants may allow you to exert maximum chewing power and prevent jawbone erosion. Dentures are often more affordable than other prosthetic dental devices, which makes them excellent for patients on a budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Dentures aren’t for everyone, and we offer several other ways to replace lost teeth with lifelike and functional restorations. These include:
- Dental bridges: A bridge consists of one or several artificial teeth supported by two dental crowns or implants, and they can replace a single tooth or a few teeth in a row. A patient receiving a bridged will need either healthy teeth at either end of the gap to support the dental crowns or adequate jawbone mass to support dental implants.
Dental implants: Consisting of a titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone and a lifelike restoration anchored to it, a dental implant can allow the patient to exert maximum chewing force. This option is more costly than traditional dentures and requires patients to have healthy gums and jawbones, but it is permanent.
Types of Dentures
Does an entire arch need to be replaced, or are there still some teeth that can be kept? Is there enough bone density in the jaw for dental implants? These are a couple of the questions that we’ll need to find the answers to in order to figure out which type of denture you should get. When we make a recommendation, we’ll always take the time to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the available options.
Partial Dentures
If there are one or more gaps in your smile, a partial denture can be customized to fit into them seamlessly in order to replace all the teeth that have been lost. You can take a traditional partial denture out of your mouth at any time; when you wear it, it will be attached to your natural teeth using clasps.
Full Dentures
Some cases of tooth loss are more severe than others, to the point where an entire arch is missing. With full dentures, it’s possible to replace one or both rows of teeth all at once. Like partial dentures, traditional full dentures are made to be removable; however, they rely on suction rather than clasps to stay in their proper position.
Implant Dentures
Dental implants are very versatile and can be used to replace any number of teeth. Some of the advantages of attaching dentures to dental implants include giving your newly restored smile more stability and preventing bone loss in your jaw.
The Benefits of Dentures
Dentures allow you to rebuild your bite, which helps improve speech and makes chewing easier. They can be fully personalized for your unique smile, and they tend to be easy to clean. On average, a denture will normally last around 7 to 10 years before you need to get a new one.
Dentures Aftercare
Your new dentures can keep your smile complete, beautiful, and functional for years to come, but that’s only if treat them with excellent care and hygiene practices. Even if you have replaced all your natural teeth, you will still need to visit our office in Newbury Park every six months for routine exams and cleanings so we can monitor oral health and address any problems in their early stages. Here are a few other excellent habits to keep your mouth healthy and help your dentures stay in great shape.
Remove After Eating
After eating, carefully remove your dentures and rinse them in cool or lukewarm water to remove loose food debris and prevent accumulations of plaque. Never clean your dentures with hot or cold water, as these extreme temperatures can warp the materials your appliance is made from and ruin the way they fit.
Clean Your Restoration
You’ll need to remove your dentures and thoroughly clean them at least once daily. Before removing your appliance, place folded towels across your countertop and fill the basin of your sink with tepid water to create a cushion in case you drop it. Then, brush all the surfaces of your denture with a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive toothpaste. If you aren’t putting your appliance back in immediately, place it in a container of water or soaking solution to keep it from drying out. When putting your dentures back in after soaking, always rinse them to eliminate cleaning agents that are not intended to be placed in the mouth.
Keep Your Dentures Safe
Before removing your dentures for cleaning, cover your countertop with folded towels and fill the basin of your sink with water to protect your appliance from falls. It’s also crucial to keep your dentures a safe distance away from children and small pets.
Remove Dentures When You Sleep
Wearing your dentures while sleeping is linked to oral infections as well as decreased gum circulation, bad breath, and jawbone erosion. To prevent this, place your appliance in a glass of water or an approved soaking solution before you go to bed. This will prevent them from drying out and warping and give your mouth the time it needs to rest and clean itself.
Notice Changes
Pay attention to the condition of your mouth and your dentures and report any changes you notice to Dr. Chaffee. Be on the lookout for issues like oral sores, gum irritation, and signs of infection like fever, fatigue, chills, swelling, and a nasty taste in your mouth as well as signs of your appliance not fitting properly like shifting, clicking, or sliding about on the jaw. Never attempt to repair your dentures on your own since you may damage them further. Instead, contact our office so we can schedule an appointment to have the issue addressed.