Dentures

Dentures In Rockford, Roscoe, Rockton & South Beloit

Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth. They look very similar to natural teeth and are more comfortable to wear than you might imagine.

Benefits Of Dentures. Dentures by Rockford dentist Susan P. Anderson provide all the benefits of teeth. They help people who have lost teeth due to gum disease or injury. They also help hold the shape of the face by supporting facial muscles.

Candidates For Dentures. Anyone who has lost several of their natural teeth can benefit from these appliances.

What Are The Different Types Of Dentures? Not all dentures are the same. Depending on your need, you may need:

• Conventional dentures are fully removable and are placed after the tissues and remaining teeth in your mouth have healed.
• Immediate dentures are inserted the same day as tooth removal and are also removable.
• Overdentures are similar to crowns or implants. If the underlying teeth can be saved, an overdenture may be used. This preserves the jawbone and provides more support for the denture.

Caring For Dentures. Even though they aren’t real teeth, dentures require the same level of care as teeth. You’ll need to brush them daily to remove food particles and plaque and keep them from becoming stained.

Procedure. Getting dentures in Rockford may take several visits. In all cases you will have preliminary meetings with the dentist so she can take measurements of the jaw and have the dentures made. In some cases, teeth will need to be removed and tissues healed before the appliance can be fitted. Finally, the dentures will be placed. Post-placement visits may be necessary so that the dentist can check the fit and make adjustments as needed.

Alternatives To Dentures. Sometimes a partial denture or a bridge can be used to replace missing teeth, as long as there are other teeth to support the appliance.

What To Expect After The Dentures Have Been Placed. It can take several weeks to become used to the feel of dentures in your mouth. They may feel loose until your tongue and cheek muscles adjust to them. You may feel sore, have mild irritation, or an increase in saliva. These annoyances should decrease over time as you become used to the appliance. You will need one or several follow-up appointments with the dentist to make sure the dentures are fitting properly as your mouth is healing as expected.

FAQs

Are dentures noticeable? Not usually. Today’s dentures look very natural. Unless you tell someone you have them, chances are they won’t notice.

What about adhesives? Some denture users wear adhesive to help keep the dentures in place. Talk to your dentist about using adhesives.

How long do dentures last? Dentures don’t last forever, but how long they last depends on a great deal on how often they are used and how well they are cared for. It’s common for dentures to need realignment or even to be remade due to normal wear and tear. Sometimes, it’s just the base that needs to be remade to adjust to your changing mouth structure. If your dentures start bothering you or seem loose, it’s definitely time to visit your dentist for a check-up.

Contact Susan P. Anderson For Dentures In Rockford

Contact Susan P. Anderson, DDS General Family Dentistry at 815-623-1900 to schedule an evaluation or to discuss dentures.