Dentures and Implants

Dentures, partial and full, are a removable option for replacement of lost or missing teeth. The prosthetic can be taken in and out of the mouth by the patient.

Partial dentures replace some of the teeth in your mouth and use special attachments to help hold them in place. These attachments rest or grip onto the existing natural teeth or onto specially sculpted crowns called "surveyed crowns". These attachments can be cast metal clasps or clasp-less "precision" attachments. Porcelain or plastic teeth are attached to the partial denture in place of the missing teeth.

Full dentures replace all of the upper or lower teeth on one or both arches. Teeth are fabricated from porcelain, plastic or a combination of the two.

Choosing the right size, shape, contour, and shade of teeth are the keys to giving the patient a natural and healthy appearance. Since teeth and the underlying supporting bone work together to create the fullness and contour in a person's face, patients who have lost all of their teeth often will have a sunken, older appearance. Properly fabricated dentures can restore this fullness and contour, which helps the patient maintain a younger and more desirable appearance.

Full dentures are held in place by a combination of a patient's facial musculature and suction created by the patient's underlying bone structure. Dynamic changes in the form of shrinking can occur in the bone and tissue under the denture with tooth loss and age. The result could be a loose and ill-fitting denture with decreased function.

Implants
Implants are an option for replacement of a missing tooth or teeth and often can be made more aesthetic than conventional techniques such as bridges or partial dentures. Implants can support dentures and prevent the bone loss and facial aging that unsupported dentures can cause. And, implants can simply replace full dentures for a natural appearance and greater comfort.

A prosthetic fixture (usually made of titanium) is placed into the bone beneath the gum tissue. The implant serves as a "virtual root" onto which a tooth or teeth can be affixed. After placement, the implant site is allowed to heal for four to eight months. Placement of the implant requires the use of a local anesthetic (novocaine) and healing is usually quick with minimal discomfort.

After healing, the top portion of the implant is exposed for placement of the final restoration.

Although they take longer to place and can be more costly than other options, implants are considered a permanent restoration and have a very natural appearance. Research is currently being conducted on a single-visit, one-step implant that requires little or no healing time. Implants are considered a state-of-the-art option for tooth replacement.

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