DENTURES

Maybe the most well-known dentures are George Washington’s famous false teeth (they weren’t wood, by the way!), but throughout history, man has tried to replace missing teeth. Archeological digs from as far back as the 7th century BC have found partial dentures made with human and animal teeth.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They can be full (replacing all the teeth on either the upper or lower jaw) or partial. Partial dentures are sometimes called bridges. Complete dentures are called conventional, which actually could be called “permanent,” and are placed from two to three months after tooth extraction. Another term you may have heard is “immediate dentures,” but those are simply temporary dentures that are used while your gums heal and your conventional dentures are being fabricated.

Some people wonder just what dentures would do for them beyond being able to chew regular foods. Well-fit dentures with Dr. Cavallo go beyond those benefits. They…

Full dentures require the patient to be missing all of his or her teeth. This could involve removing the last few remaining natural teeth, as they are typically badly decayed. It’s best if the person has not been missing their teeth for a long period of time, as they probably would have lost some jawbone mass by then. If a patient has some remaining healthy teeth, Dr. Cavallo can place partial dentures that can be attached to the natural teeth. There aren’t any health limitations to a person receiving dentures.

Obviously, if you’re already missing all your teeth a full denture is in order. Full dentures replace the entire span of teeth. Often if poor hygiene and gum disease have run their course, a person missing most of his or her teeth has to have the remaining teeth extracted due to decay within those teeth. When this is the case, the gums are allowed to heal before the full dentures are fabricated and placed. Full dentures are held in place through pressure provided by the tongue and cheeks, and suction created onto the gums. Some people use adhesive to add stability, but Dr. Cavallo believes expertly fit dentures shouldn’t require that.

If you have any remaining teeth that are healthy enough to be saved, partial dentures offer a better solution. This is because we can use those natural teeth as anchor points for partial dentures. Partial dentures are commonly referred to as “bridges,” and can be fixed or removable. They consist of replacement teeth attached to a pink, gum-colored plastic base. In a removable partial, the denture is connected to a metal framework that holds the denture in place, but also allows it to be removed. When fixed, the partial denture is anchored permanently to crowns on the adjacent natural teeth.

The entire process of getting dentures, particularly full dentures, usually takes from two to three months. This involves many fittings. In many cases, the first step in the denture process is to remove badly decayed teeth. So that you’re able to chew while your gums heal, Dr. Cavallo makes an immediate denture.

After your gums have healed, this is the process Dr. Cavallo follows:

• Your jaws are measured for the relationship between the upper and lower jaw and the space between. A series of impressions are taken.
• From those impressions we make what you could think of as “demo dentures” out of wax or plastic. These are made in the exact shape and position of your conventional dentures, but are used to check color, shape, thickness, fit, and function.
• Once Dr. Cavallo and you agree that you like the fit and structure, final impressions are made for your final denture. These are sent to the dental lab for fabrication.
• When the dentures are finished, Dr. Cavallo will test them for fit and make further adjustments. From there, we will probably make a few more minute adjustments as you get used to wearing your new dentures.

Complete dentures usually last from five to seven years. At some point, full dentures usually need to be relined, rebased, or remade. This is because your underlying gum tissues and jawbone change over time. Dr. Cavallo will have the denture base refit, or a new base may be created using the existing false teeth.

The lifespan of partial dentures is highly variable depending on location in the mouth and care of the appliance.

With the exception of fixed partial dentures, dentures are not meant to be worn 24 hours a day. Removing them allows your gum tissues to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and your saliva.

You brush dentures, but not with toothpaste, as it is too abrasive and can create microscopic scratches that allow food and plaque to build up. Brushing removes stains and any food or plaque build-up. When brushing is complete, your dentures need to stay moist, so they need to be put in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in water.

Yes, dental insurance covers dentures. The fitting and placement are considered to be a major procedure, and dental insurance typically covers about half the cost. At Dr. Cavallo’s, we work with your insurance provider to attain the highest coverage possible.