Dentures & Partials An Overview
Dentures are a custom designed dental restoration used to replace a full arch or full set of missing teeth. Modern dentures are made from high-quality dental materials that mimic the appearance of a natural smile. Using digital imaging, our Ridgetop Dental dentists can create a better fit denture for a more comfortable and better functioning bite. Dentures can restore your smile after tooth loss.
Our Reston, VA dentist office provides all types of dentures including implant supported and traditional removable dentures for the replacement of a full arch of missing teeth. Dr. Datta also offers the All-on-four implant procedure for a restored smile in just one visit to Ridgetop Dental.
Dentures can be custom made for your unique smile and today’s patients enjoy options that are far superior to those previous generations have worn. Cosmetic dentures are color matched and shaped to look like your natural teeth. Dr. Datta will use photos, remaining existing teeth and Digital Smile Design technology to create a new smile tailor-made for you. He takes a personal approach to the needs of each patient, educating them along the way so that the end result meets or exceeds their expectations and provides long term results.
Caring for Dentures
A new denture will take a bit of getting used to for most patients. It will take a few weeks for the gums and soft tissues to adjust to the new appliance, sometimes causing minor irritation in the beginning. You may experience the effects of increased saliva flow as your mouth adjusts to the new appliance- this is normal and will subside. Our team will go over proper oral hygiene and daily care of your new denture to support the best result and help you enjoy long term comfort and sustained good oral health.
Daily cleaning and the use of an adhesive to prevent slipping will become a part of your routine. Good oral hygiene and daily denture cleaning are key for long term success and to minimize other dental problems such as periodontal disease. Sleeping in dentures is not recommended for several reasons, the most important being that wearing a denture 24 hours a day can speed up bone loss in the jaw and changes in the fit of the bite. Removing the denture at night provides the gums a chance to be exposed to natural saliva function, oral bacteria, and the natural oral environment. This will help to maintain gum health over time and also provides sufficient time for the denture to be thoroughly cleaned.
Dentures should be brushed daily, just as you would brush your natural teeth. When brushing dentures, also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush the gums and tongue. This should be part of your daily routine and will both stimulate circulation in these tissues and reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth.
The materials used to fabricate your denture will determine the longevity of your appliance, in addition to long-term changes that can occur in the jaw structure and fit of the bite. Routine dental care allows us to monitor the condition of your denture and offer necessary repair or advisement on a replacement at the appropriate time.
Improving Tooth Replacement with Implant Secured Dentures
Patients can choose to stabilize their dentures with the placement of dental implants. As few as four dental implants can be surgically placed in the jaw and used as anchors to hold a denture in place. Dental implants support long-term oral health and promote natural bone regeneration. Dental implant supported dentures are a more natural and secure way to replace missing teeth.
All-on-four is an implant technique that utilizes small implants and strategic planning to secure a denture in place. The all-on-four implant procedure can be completed in a single day at our Reston, VA dentist office allowing the patient to leave with a restored smile.
Dr. Datta is a general dentist with advanced training in implant dentistry. Dr. Datta is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and attends yearly advanced education courses in implant dentistry to further his knowledge and to stay up to date with advancements in dental technology. Dr. Datta incorporates the latest in implant techniques providing patients with accurate and lasting results.