Dentures in Chicago

Effects of Missing Teeth

There are many reasons you may be missing permanent teeth, including tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. While gaps in your smile may seem like a purely cosmetic problem, according to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are many negative consequences of missing teeth, including facial sagging, speech issues, difficulty eating, and even lower self-esteem.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures are an excellent option for patients who have experienced significant tooth loss, have sensitive teeth, a lot of decay, but who also have sufficient healthy gum tissue and jawbone density. To receive dentures, you must also be committed to your oral health routine, and be willing to properly care for your dentures and smile

The number of teeth you’re missing will ultimately determine which type of denture Dr. Mahler recommends for you, as there are different types to choose from, including full dentures, partial dentures, and implant dentures.

Dentures are more affordable than other tooth-replacement options, making them an excellent option for patients on a tight budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

For patients who aren’t a good candidate for dentures, there are other tooth restoration options you may want to consider, including dental implants. Because a titanium post must be inserted into your jawbone to get this treatment, you must have a solid bone structure. Dental implants are more costly than traditional dentures, however they are permanent and thus will not need to be replaced like dentures will.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?

It doesn’t really matter how many teeth you’re missing, nearly anyone can get dentures. First, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mahler so he can determine whether you’re a good candidate for this treatment. If not, you can still possibly become one by restoring the health of your gum tissue and bone structure.

Types of Dentures

There’s more than one kind of denture that you can get depending on the specifics of your situation. The type of denture we recommend for you will be based on your needs. Here’s a summary of your options:

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are customized to replace a specific number of teeth in the patient’s mouth. Traditionally, this form of tooth replacement is removable; metal clasps are used to help the prosthesis stay in place.

Full Dentures

A full denture may be necessary if you have lost all of your teeth or if you don’t have enough healthy teeth that are worth saving. Just like partial dentures, traditional full dentures are made to be removable. However, instead of relying on clasps, they simply sit on the gums; natural suction helps ensure that your new teeth stay where they need to be.

Implant Dentures

Having your dentures attached to dental implant posts will help ensure that your new teeth will never slip when you don’t want them to. The exact number of implant posts needed to keep a denture anchored in place can vary from patient to patient. Also, while some implant dentures are removable, others are designed to stay in your mouth 24/7.

The Benefits of Dentures

Dentures have been around for a very long time, and plenty of people today continue to rely on them to get the most out of life even after tooth loss. Some of the benefits associated with dentures are:

• A more varied diet due to being able to chew a wider variety of foods.
• Preserving a more youthful facial appearance.
• A prosthesis that is very easy to take care of and can potentially last for 7 to 10 years.

How Dentures Are Made

If you have decided to restore your missing teeth with dentures, you are undoubtedly curious about how they are made. Knowing a little about how these amazing appliances are carefully crafted and meticulously customized to create a comfortable fit and a dazzlingly lifelike appearance can help you appreciate your restorations and stay motivated for providing them with excellent care. Here’s a quick overview of how dentures from our Chicago office are manufactured.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

A denture consists of two primary components. These are:

The base: This structure serves as the foundation that holds the denture in place upon the gums and supports the artificial teeth. Bases are commonly made from nylon, porcelain, resin, and metal, but full dentures are typically made from acrylic since it can be shaded to match the patient’s natural gum tissue. The bases of partial dentures may incorporate metal clips that allow them to connect to the remaining natural teeth for a more secure fit.

The artificial teeth: Also called pontics, these structures are usually made from resin or porcelain to give them a remarkably lifelike appearance. Porcelain is an especially popular option since it looks and feels like natural teeth and is durable enough to withstand the pressure of chewing for many years. However, porcelain is usually recommended for full dentures since it can be abrasive on remaining natural enamel.

The Denture Creation Process

Each denture is completely customized through a multi-step process to create a fit that feels natural and an incredibly lifelike appearance. Here’s a brief look at each of the steps:

• Step 1: Mahler takes impressions of the patient’s bite using dental trays and a specialized paste. The resulting mold is used to create a plaster scale model of the patient’s smile.
• Step 2: This plaster model is sent to a dental lab where a skilled technician crafts a wax replica of the gumline.
• Step 3: Acrylic resin teeth are set in place using a device called an articulator, and the technician will adjust the wax base to look like your gums. These wax dentures are sent back to our office.
• Step 4: The patient comes back to our office to try their wax dentures on. After they’re approved, the dentures are sent back to the lab for final processing. We may give our patient temporary dentures to wear while their permanent set is being crafted.
• Step 5: The technician places the wax dentures in a flask with plaster to hold them in place while they are boiled. This eliminates the wax portions, creating a negative mold in the plaster.
• Step 6: Acrylic is poured into the flask where it fills the areas formerly occupied by the wax, creating the bases of the final dentures.
• Step 7: The technician carefully removes the plaster using specialized tools, and the acrylic dentures are placed in an ultrasonic bath to remove any lingering material.
• Step 8: The technician trims any excess acrylic from the dentures and polishes them until they shine.
• Step 9: The patient comes back to our office to try their final denture on. After any final adjustments, they will be ready to show off their new smile.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

While you may experience some soreness when you start wearing your dentures, they should become increasingly comfortable as you get used to wearing them and eventually feel so natural that you no longer notice them at all. You can hasten this adjustment period by sticking to soft foods, exercising your facial muscles, experimenting with an adhesive if necessary, and reading a favorite book out loud while repeating any difficult words. However, please contact our office if your discomfort persists so we can make further adjustments as needed.