If you’re considering your tooth replacement options in Bethlehem, PA, the dental care professionals at Dice Dental can offer personalized, consultative care to meet your needs. We can create a custom denture or partial denture to replace your missing teeth. Dr. Ren also places dental implants and can restore your smile with a permanent solution with an implant-supported denture.
What Are Dentures and Partial Dentures?
Dentures are artificial teeth designed to replace missing teeth. They help restore your smile, improve your ability to chew, and boost your confidence. If you have lost several teeth or a full arch of teeth, dentures and partial dentures can give you back the ability to speak, chew, and enjoy life again.
There are two main types of dentures:
- Full Dentures: These replace all the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. They rest on the gums, adhered by dental adhesives, and are removable for cleaning.
- Partial Dentures: Similar to a dental bridge, partials are often used when some natural teeth remain. They fill in the gaps left by missing teeth and are also removable.
Treatment Options with Dentures
Immediate Denture (Single Arch)
An immediate denture is delivered on the same day as your remaining extractions, so you’ll never have to go without teeth!
Conventional Denture (Single Arch)
A conventional denture is made at least 6-8 weeks after your last extraction. This allows us to try it in before it’s processed so we can make sure the esthetics and bite are perfect.
Overdenture
An overdenture is a full denture with snaps on the underside that line up with implants on the upper and lower jaws. Patients need a minimum of 2 implants for the lower jaw. The more implants, the less movement will occur when eating.
Hard Reline
When you have been missing teeth for a while, your jawbone and gums will shrink back. This means your denture can start to feel loose. One way to fix that is to put a new lining inside. If you get us your denture in the morning, we’ll have it fitting like new by the afternoon.
Soft Reline
If you are still in the process from healing from extractions, a soft reline is a great way to hold you over until you’re ready for your hard reline (usually around 6 months). The soft liner is designed to last 1-3 months.
Denture Repair
Dropped your denture? Broke off a tooth? We got you covered! We’re able to perform many of our denture repairs same day.
What to Expect During the Denture Process
Placing dentures typically involves several steps to ensure a perfect fit and comfort:
- Consultation: Dr. Ren will assess your oral health and discuss your needs.
- Impressions: We will take impressions of your mouth to create a model.
- Design: A custom denture is designed to fit your mouth perfectly.
- Fitting: The denture is fitted, and adjustments are made for comfort.
- Adjustments: Regular check-ups with us ensure the denture remains comfortable and functional.
Dentures vs. Implant-Supported Dentures
Several key differences must be considered when comparing traditional dentures to implant-supported dentures. Dr. Ren will consult with you and educate you on your treatment options.
Traditional dentures rest on the gums and are designed to be removable. They require regular cleaning and may need adhesives to ensure stability. One of the main advantages of traditional dentures is that they are generally more affordable upfront, making them a popular choice for many.
Implant-supported dentures offer permanent support and stability. These dentures are attached to dental implants surgically placed into the jawbone, providing a secure fit that feels more like natural teeth. While the initial cost of implant-supported dentures is higher, they offer significant long-term benefits, including enhanced stability and the preservation of jawbone health. This makes them an attractive option for those seeking a more permanent and natural-feeling solution.
What are the Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures?
Dr. Ren recommends considering implant-supported dentures when possible because of their many benefits for oral health and quality of life.
- Stability: Less movement and more comfort: implants keep the denture from moving and irritating the gums.
- Jawbone Health: Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss.
- Natural Feel: Mimics the feel and function of natural teeth.
Choosing between traditional and implant-supported dentures depends on your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Dr. Ren will work with you to explore your options and find the best solution for your smile.
Dentures FAQs
What are the pros and cons of immediate dentures?
Requirements: Have existing teeth which are not salvageable
Pros:
- You’ll never have to go without teeth – your smile will be transformed in a matter of minutes.
- If you plan on getting a new denture or implant-supported denture in the future, the immediate denture is a great way to test drive your smile for a few months. If you like it, we can keep the same set-up. If you don’t, we can change what you don’t like in the next set
Cons:
- There is some guesswork involved in placement of denture teeth when it is processed. Sometimes esthetics or bite can be a little off.
- We cannot make adjustments for sore spots the same day as your extractions because you’ll be numb.
- After a few weeks, the denture can start to feel loose as the swelling subsides. You can return to us for a soft lining inside that will hold you through to the 6-month mark when you will be ready for a permanent reline or a new denture.
What are the pros and cons of conventional denture?
Requirements: Edentulous (missing all teeth for at least 8 weeks)
Pros:
- We can try in your denture in wax form before it is processed to make sure that the esthetics and bite are perfect.
- For patients who have lost bone over time, the denture will add extra lip support – acting like an instant facelift.
- It’s easy to clean a denture since you can remove it from your mouth.
- Lower cost than any implant-retained prosthesis.
Cons:
- There is a learning curve for relearning to speak and eat with your dentures. See our tips handout for tricks to try.
- Sometimes, the denture can make the upper lip appear too full/bulky. We can trim it to be as thin as possible.
- You will still get sore spots with your new denture, even if you’ve worn one before. Breaking in a denture is like breaking in a new pair of shoes.
- Fixodent will be needed in 99% of cases for a lower denture. You may want to consider adding 2+ implants to help it feel more secure.
- Dogs love to snack on dentures! Make sure they’re out of reach from your furry friends.
What are the pros and cons of partial dentures with a metal base?
Requirements: Need 4+ stable teeth on upper jaw to hold, 2+ teeth on lower jaw
Pros:
- These can be adjusted for a tighter fit or looser fit depending on your dexterity. If the clasps loosen over time, we can usually make them feel tighter.
- If you lose a tooth in the future, it can many times be added to a partial denture with a metal framework.
- If your gums change shape underneath the partial over time, we can usually put in a new lining to make it fit to your gums better.
- Can easily replace many teeth
- More budget-friendly than implants/bridges
Cons:
- Metal clasps can sometimes be seen when speaking or smiling.
- Patients will still catch food underneath their partial denture when chewing – it’s just the nature of something removable.
What are the pros and cons of partial dentures with a flexible base?
Requirements: Need 4+ stable teeth on upper jaw to hold, 2+ teeth on lower jaw
Pros:
- Patients who have back teeth to help hold this type of partial denture usually find it quite comfortable because it is flexible.
- This type of partial is less likely to break if dropped from the bathroom counter.
- The clasps are less visible when you speak or smile (they will be pink or clear to blend in with the gums or teeth).
- Can easily replace many teeth
- More budget-friendly than implants or bridges
Cons:
- If you lose a tooth in the future, it cannot be added to the flexible type of partial so we will need to make an entirely new one.
- The clasps cannot be adjusted to make them tighter.
- We cannot put a new lining on the underside of this type of partial. If your gums shrink, you will have a gap unless we make a new partial.
What are the pros and cons of overdentures?
Requirements: 4+ Implants on upper jaw, 2+ Implants needed on lower jaw
Pros:
- With implants to help stabilize your denture, it will feel much more secure when eating and speaking.
- An overdenture will still supply extra lip support for those patients who have lost bone over time.
- It remains easy to clean since you will remove it from your mouth at night.
- Easy to replace in the future if it gets worn down or breaks.
- On the upper jaw, we can trim a little bit of the palate (we can trim the full palate out with 6 implants) so you are less likely to gag and have better taste sensation.
Cons:
- With only 2 implants on the lower jaw, there will still be some movement when you bite into a sandwich (a pivot effect), but it will not fall out of your mouth like a conventional lower denture would.
- The denture can still rub and create sore spots when initially received. These are luckily easy to adjust.
- Attachments inside the denture can wear down/loosen over time. Patients usually come in every 6 months – 1 year for replacement of these nylons (there will be a small “implant maintenance fee” at this appointment).
- The dentures can wear down/chip over time and will need to be replaced every 5-10 years (or sooner depending on your chewing forces).
My dentures move around a lot. Can you help me?
Absolutely. We are here to help. There are several ways to make a slipping denture fit better: adjusting areas that are overextended, putting a new lining inside if your gums have shrunk back, or adding implants. Visit us to find out which could be the right option for you!
Why do my dentures rub?
Getting a new denture is much like getting a new pair of shoes – it takes time to “break it in.” Come visit us for adjustments of sore spots until it fits just right!
Why do my dentures make me gag?
An upper denture is designed to extend to a certain point on your palate in order to gain suction and stay up without glue. Some patients cannot tolerate this so we can discuss adding implants to help stabilize it and trim some of the palatal coverage for you!
I don't want to remove all of my teeth. What are my options?
In addition to full upper and lower dentures, we also offer partial dentures to replace just some of your missing teeth if implants are not an option.
How long will my dentures last?
As long as you take good care of your denture and do not drop it off your bathroom counter or let your dog eat it, you should have it in service for many years! Patients come in to replace their dentures anywhere from every 5 to 20 years. Patients who grind more or use more force when chewing are more likely to need replacements sooner than 20 years.
Can I eat normally with dentures?
Yes, but it might take some time to adjust. Start off with softer foods, gradually introducing chewy and hard foods.