cosmetic family dentistry the woodlands texas Dr. Bill Lockhart DDS

Dentures, Partials & Bridges

It may be too late to save them. In most cases, loose or painful
teeth are caused by advanced periodontal disease. Periodontal
disease also causes bone loss, and if it's not caught in time,
because there's too little support for them, your teeth may have to
be removed.

Removing your teeth and replacing them with a denture may be the
best way to eliminate the infection caused by periodontal disease and
restore the health of your mouth. When this is all done on the same
day it's called an immediate denture.

The Procedure

To begin the process of making a denture, we first take impressions
of your mouth. From these impressions, we make precise working
models of your mouth. We'll work with you to select the best color
and shape for your new teeth. When your denture is ready, we'll
thoroughly numb your mouth and extract your remaining teeth.
Immediately after this, we'll place your new denture.

What to expect after the procedure

For the first 24 hours, your denture will feel tight because your gums
are swollen. As your bone heals over the next six to nine months,
your gums will shrink back to their normal size and the denture will
feel loose. When this happens we'll use a temporary lining to tighten
the fit for your mouth. After the healing period is complete, we'll
either construct a new final denture or send your immediate denture
back to the lab to be relined to secure the proper fit.

It will take you some time for your mouth to become accustomed to
your new denture. Simple chores like eating and talking may be a
little awkward at first but you will quickly adjust to your new teeth.

Partial Dentures

Partials area great way to replace missing or damaged teeth while
allowing you to keep the rest of your healthy teeth. Partials will
ensure that you chew better, look better and enjoy a healthier
mouth. Typical upper or lower partials are held securely in
place with metal clasps that fit around the anchor teeth or they may
be cemented in place.

Partial dentures help prevent several problems. By filling gaps they
prevent teeth from shifting and crowding. By replacing missing teeth,
they stave off further infection, cavities and periodontal disease.
Partials also help balance your bit which means your teeth and jaw
work naturally when eating. Lastly, they help support your jaw line,
cheeks and lips and help keep your winning smile.

Bridges

A bridge (also called a fixed partial denture) replaces or spans the
space where one or more teeth have been lost. Fixed bridges are
bonded into place and can only be removed by your dentist. On the
other hand, you can take out a removable partial for cleaning.
Removable partials, while less expensive, may not be as desirable
as fixed bridges and are not generally as stable.