Removable Dentures

Losing multiple teeth or all of the teeth in an arch is a significant life change, and finding a replacement solution that restores your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence is one of the most important decisions you can make for your oral health and quality of life. Removable dentures have helped millions of patients around the world do exactly that, and at Advanced Family Dental, Dr. Nelcy Triana designs and fits dentures with the precision, care, and personalized attention that make a meaningful difference in how well they fit and how comfortable they feel from day one.

Modern dentures are a far cry from the uncomfortable, ill-fitting appliances of previous generations. Today’s denture materials, fabrication techniques, and fitting processes allow for restorations that are more natural
looking, more comfortable, and more functional than ever before. At Advanced Family Dental, we take the time to ensure that every denture we deliver is crafted to the highest standard and fits your mouth accurately, giving you a result you can feel confident wearing every day.

A complete denture, also called a full denture, replaces all of the teeth in either the upper or lower arch, or both, when all natural teeth in that arch have been lost or need to be removed. Complete dentures consist of a gum colored acrylic base that rests on the gum tissue and bone of the jaw and supports a full set of prosthetic teeth fabricated to closely resemble natural teeth in shape and color.

Complete dentures for the upper arch typically achieve retention through the natural suction created between the denture base and the palate. Lower dentures, which do not have the advantage of a palate for suction, can be more challenging to stabilize, and patients sometimes find that lower dentures require more adjustment to wear comfortably. For patients who experience difficulty with lower denture stability, implant-supported overdentures, discussed in the following section, offer a significantly more secure and comfortable alternative.

When some natural teeth remain in an arch, a removable partial denture is used to replace only the missing teeth while preserving the healthy teeth that are still in place. A partial denture consists of prosthetic teeth attached to a framework, which may be acrylic, metal, or a combination of both, that clasps onto the existing natural teeth for retention. Partial dentures prevent the remaining natural teeth from shifting into the spaces left by the missing teeth, maintain the balance of the bite, and restore the appearance and function of the smile in areas where teeth have been lost.

The design of a partial denture is customized to the specific pattern of tooth loss and the number and position of the remaining natural teeth. Dr. Triana takes great care in planning the design of each partial denture to ensure a fit that is comfortable, stable, and as unobtrusive as possible during daily activities.

Receiving a set of dentures at Advanced Family Dental is a process that unfolds over multiple appointments, each of which contributes to a final result that fits accurately and functions well. The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health, including the condition of any remaining teeth, the health of the gum tissue and underlying bone, and an assessment of your bite. Impressions and measurements of your jaw are taken and used to create a customized denture base and a set of prosthetic teeth selected to complement your facial features and desired appearance.

Trial dentures are typically fabricated first, allowing Dr. Triana and the patient to evaluate the fit, bite, and aesthetics before the final dentures are completed. Adjustments made at the trial stage ensure that the final product meets both functional and cosmetic expectations. After the final dentures are delivered, follow-up appointments are scheduled to address any areas of minor discomfort and ensure that the fit remains comfortable
as the gum tissue settles.

Removable dentures require daily cleaning to remove food debris and plaque and to prevent odors and staining. Dentures should be brushed with a soft denture brush and mild denture cleanser, rinsed after meals when possible, and soaked overnight in a denture solution or clean water to prevent the material from drying out and warping. Dentures should never be cleaned with regular toothpaste, which is too abrasive for denture materials, or exposed to hot water, which can distort their shape.

Even with no natural teeth remaining, it is important to maintain regular dental visits at Advanced Family Dental. Dr. Triana will examine your gum tissue and bone, check the fit of your dentures, and perform an oral cancer screening at each appointment. The shape of the jaw changes over time as bone resorbs, and dentures that fit well initially may need to be relined or replaced to maintain a comfortable and secure fit as these changes occur.