Flexible Solutions

Complete and Partial: An Overview

Why Dentures?

Dentures are an affordable, non-surgical and minimally-invasive solution for missing teeth and their nearby tissues. In the past, dentures were obvious and often unflattering, but the technology has come a long way, allowing people of all ages to enjoy a healthy smile for the rest of their life.

The team at Brosy Family Dentistry has more than 30 years of experience fitting patients for dentures and other dental solutions such as bridges, crowns, veneers and implants. See how our Reno dentistry office can help you get back to enjoying life with a new set of teeth.

What to Expect with Dentures

First, a few definitions. When your dentist determines that dentures are the right solution for you, there will be three different types she will help you choose from. Complete dentures are the solution for patients missing all their teeth, where partial dentures (usually called partials) are used when the patient still retains at least a few natural teeth.

Another popular option is immediate full dentures, where dentures are immediately placed in your mouth so you don’t have to be without teeth for any period. With immediate dentures, there is a follow-up visit where Dr. Erin Anderson will refit the dentures because the jaw bone will change slightly as your mouth heals. A major advantage to all denture types is that they’re removable for cleaning and sleeping. They’re also not permanent like veneers or bridges.

Denture Treatment Overview

At your appointment with Dr. Erin Anderson, she will first indicate whether you need any teeth removed prior to being fitted with dentures. She will then create an impression of your mouth to ensure that your dentures are the perfect fit. Often, she will take bite molds to see where your natural bite falls. After you work together to choose the color and shape of your dentures, Dr. Anderson will set your new teeth in wax before making the final determination on how they’ll look and fit. From there, your dentures are fitted and you’re ready to go!

Post-Procedure Dentures Instructions

Dentures generally take a little getting used to. After all, it’s a brand new set of teeth, and your mouth will need time to adjust to their presence. Upon being fitted with dentures, some people comment that the fitting feels bulky or that there isn’t enough room for their tongue. Others notice the dentures feel loose inside their mouth. This can impact the way you talk or eat for a short period, but over time your mouth will adjust to the new dentures.

It’s important to treat dentures just like you would natural teeth. Make sure to brush them regularly, removing food particles and plaque before you take them out. To clean them, place them in room temperature water or a cleaning solution specified by Dr. Anderson. It’s also important that you never try to adjust the dentures yourself. Contact Dr. Anderson to come in for an adjustment or advice on how to manage your new dentures.