Dentures – Vienna, VA

Effects of Missing Teeth

Oftentimes, the negative impact on their self-esteem is enough to motivate patients to explore their treatment options. However, that’s not the only reason we recommend scheduling a consultation with us. Tooth loss can also lead to several serious oral health problems (including dental drift), negatively impact your speaking patterns, and even lead to indigestion. To put it simply, rebuilding your smile with dentures can positively impact virtually every area of your life – from your confidence to your overall health.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures are ideal for patients who are struggling with mild to severe tooth loss. Outside of that, there’s really only one thing we need to consider: the state of your oral health. For example, if your gums are infected or one of your teeth is badly decayed, then we will need to provide the necessary restorative care before working on your custom restoration. That way, the final result is a smile that is healthy and looks incredible.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Are you only missing one tooth? Maybe you’re missing an entire arch of teeth, but you want to anchor your restoration in place with dental implants. Good news: we can still help! We’re proud to offer dental bridges and implants at our office, and you can learn a little more about each right here.

• Dental bridges – As you may have guessed from the name, dental bridges are designed to literally bridge the gap. This is accomplished with prosthetic teeth that are custom-made to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding ones, ensuring the restoration fits comfortably and doesn’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile.
• Dental implants – This tooth-replacement solution has skyrocketed in popularity. Since they can replace the entire structure of your tooth, they are custom-made for each patient, and they can last for several decades with proper care, it’s not hard to see why either! If you are interested in learning more, let us know!

Now there’s only one thing left to do: schedule a consultation with our Vienna dental team! That way, we can get to know you, review your dental history, learn about your smile goals, and determine the best way to rebuild your smile.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

A denture is comprised of two primary parts, those being:

The base: This serves as the foundation that holds the appliance securely within the mouth while supporting the artificial teeth mounted upon it. Denture bases are often made from nylon, resin, metal, or porcelain, but full dentures are typically made from acrylic since it can be colored to match your natural gum tissue. The bases of partial dentures often incorporate metal clips that allow them to attach to the remaining natural teeth for added security.

The artificial teeth: Denture teeth are usually made from resin or porcelain to give them a lifelike appearance. While porcelain is a popular choice since it is quite durable and looks and feels much like natural enamel, it is usually only recommended for full dentures since it can be abrasive on the neighboring teeth.

The Denture Creation Process

Each denture is customized through the following process:

• Step 1: Our dentist will use trays loaded with special paste to take bite impressions. These are then used to create a plaster model of the patient’s mouth.
• Step 2: This model is sent to a trusted dental lab where a skilled technician will use it to craft a wax replica of the gumline.
• Step 3: Artificial teeth are fixed within the wax using a machine called an articulator.
• Step 4: These wax dentures are sent back to our office so the patient can try them on. If they are approved, the appliance will be sent back to the lab so the process can be completed.
• Step 5: The technician places the denture in a flask to hold them in place before covering them with plaster. They will then boil the flask to eliminate the wax portions, creating a negative mold of the final denture.
• Step 6: The technician makes holes in the teeth and injects acrylic into the flask to replace the wax portions.
• Step 7: Using special tools, the technician will remove all plaster from the new restoration.
• Step 8: After trimming any excess acrylic from the denture, the technician polishes it to perfection.
• Step 9: The patient tries the appliance on at our office. After any final adjustments, they’ll be ready to greet the world with their new smile.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Some discomfort is to be expected when you first receive dentures, but this should be mild and go away on its own after a few days. As you get used to speaking and eating with dentures, you should find that they become increasingly comfortable and natural-feeling. You can accelerate your acclimation process by sticking to soft foods, performing facial exercises, trying an adhesive product, or reading a favorite book out loud and repeating difficult words. However, call us if your discomfort persists so we can make any necessary adjustments.