Dentures – Needham, MA

Effects of Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can be the result of genetics, accidents, gum disease, certain lifestyle factors, and more. Regardless of why you have an incomplete smile, your condition may cause a number of problems in your daily life.

For example, you may feel self-conscious about your appearance. As a result, you might shy away from social interactions and experience feelings of loneliness. You may also find it difficult to enjoy a wide variety of foods, which can adversely affect both your nutrition and your mental wellness. Sagging, hollow-looking cheeks may convey the impression that you are much older than you really are.

The good news is that dentures can help with such issues and lead to an improved quality of life.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

A new denture may be right for you if:

• You are missing all or most of your teeth throughout your upper or lower dental arch (or both).
• You are struggling with the consequences of missing teeth, such as difficulty chewing and embarrassment when smiling.
• Your gums are healthy enough to support dentures. (If they are not, they may become so after some restorative care.)
• You are looking for a cost-effective and convenient way to replace your lost teeth.
• You have old dentures that are ready to be replaced.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options

If dentures are not quite right for you at this time, we might recommend a different tooth replacement option, such as:

• A fixed bridge. A fixed bridge is a prosthetic that we bond onto the teeth that surround an empty space (the abutment teeth). Bridges tend to be strong, sturdy, and natural-looking. The treatment process takes just a few appointments to complete.
• Dental implants. Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots that get surgically placed beneath the gumline. They can support crowns, bridges, and dentures to replace any number of missing teeth. They are regarded as the gold standard of tooth replacement.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Step 1: Impressions

In order to create dentures that fit well, our team has to take detailed impressions. We use a digital scanner for this purpose. All we have to do is carefully move it around your mouth. It captures countless images of your oral tissues, and then sophisticated software assembles those images into a digital, three-dimensional representation of your smile. The impression process is quick, painless, and highly accurate.

Step 2: Wax Mold Creation

We send the impression of your teeth to a trustworthy dental lab, where a skilled technician will create a wax model of your mouth. Artificial teeth, made of acrylic or porcelain, will get set into the model, and the technician will mold the base with the goal of making it resemble the final product as closely as possible. The model will get sent to us, and we will have you try it on so we can evaluate its fit.

Step 3: Fit Check

After your denture model is made, it gets sent to us for another fit check. This is your time to provide detailed feedback about, not just the fit of the denture, but also its appearance. Do you like the color of the teeth? Do they seem like the right size? Keep in mind that it will take some time to get used to your denture, but we still value any feedback you may provide.

There may be some back and forth with the lab as we seek to make sure everything is just right.

Step 4: Back to the Lab for Refinements

The lab will make your final denture. To do so, small holes are made in the acrylic teeth (if you are getting an acrylic denture) so they can be securely attached to the acrylic base. If the lab is still working with a wax model, a separator is used within a plaster mold to prevent the acrylic from sticking to it. Then, the acrylic is injected and the teeth are attached to the final base. Finally, an ultrasonic bath is used to remove any remaining plaster residue.

Step 5: Take Them Home!

When your final denture is ready, you will visit us to try it on. At this point, it should fit very well, though it might feel strange in your mouth at first. We will provide coaching and tips to help you care for your new denture and adjust to it. Most patients find that they are comfortable with their prosthetic after a few weeks. If you are still struggling after a month or so, call us so we can provide the needed assistance.

Psychological Benefits

Tooth loss has the potential to profoundly affect your mental health. For example, as an edentulous (missing all teeth) person, you may hesitate to engage in social interactions due to feelings of self-consciousness. You may not want people to notice your toothless smile or the other aesthetic consequences of tooth loss. You could also be reluctant to eat in social settings due to the dietary limitations that come with poor oral health.

Dentures can give you a beautiful, functional, and confident smile that allows you to enjoy meaningful and beneficial quality time with loved ones. You might even choose to explore the dating scene!

Clearer Enunciation

Clear speech occurs when multiple structures, including the teeth and tongue, interact with one another. Without teeth, it may be challenging for you to enunciate certain sounds.

When you first get dentures, you might develop a slight lisp. However, with a bit of time and practice, you should find it easy to speak clearly and confidently. Ultimately, you can expect your speaking ability to be better than it was before you got your prosthetic.

Improves Nutrition

Missing teeth can make it difficult to consume a balanced and tasty diet. You might gravitate toward soft foods, including those that have limited nutritional value. Dentures have the potential to allow you to eat a wide variety of foods. Once you adapt to eating with them, you may be able to enjoy virtually anything, including fresh fruits and veggies, a variety of meats, and more. As a result of your improved diet, your overall wellness may improve.

Preserves Oral Health

If you still have some of your natural teeth, dentures may benefit you in at least two ways:

• They can serve as placeholders that prevent your natural teeth from drifting out of place. This can help you to maintain a well-aligned bite and might even reduce your risk of future tooth loss.
• Dentures can bear some of the pressure of chewing, which can reduce wear and tear on your natural teeth.

Expands Opportunity

Sadly, poor oral health may limit your career opportunities. Missing teeth or other obvious oral health problems could adversely affect the way others perceive you. In contrast, a full set of attractive teeth may convey the impression that you are youthful, successful, and approachable. Therefore, you may find it easier to reach your goals in the workplace, whether you want to start a new job, score a promotion, or simply excel in your current position.

How Long Will You Have to Wait to Get Dentures After Your Teeth Are Pulled?

The average wait time between extractions and dentures is 6 – 8 weeks. This period gives your gums time to heal after tooth removal.

Of course, the timeline can vary significantly depending on circumstances. Some patients choose to get immediate dentures, which are created prior to extractions and can be worn right away. However, they tend not to last as long due to the changes in gum shape that occur after the natural teeth are removed.

If you are getting implant dentures, you may have to wait several months between extractions and the arrival of your new teeth. This allows your implants plenty of time to integrate with your jawbone. However, if you are getting All-on-4 dentures, you may receive a provisional set of teeth on the same day as your extractions.

Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?

Whenever it is reasonable to do so, we strive to preserve our patients’ natural teeth. Therefore, if you still have some teeth that are healthy or minimally damaged, we may repair them rather than replace them. A partial denture can be placed around them to fill in gaps in your smile.

However, if your remaining natural teeth are badly damaged, we may determine that removing them is the best course of action. Afterward, you may choose to get a full denture.

Can I Sleep with My Dentures?

When you first get your dentures, we may advise you to wear them for 24 hours straight. After that, however, it would be best to remove them each night at bedtime and start wearing them again in the morning.

Removing your dentures each night gives your gums a chance to rest. It also provides you with the opportunity to thoroughly clean both your prosthetic and your mouth. You can therefore minimize your risk of issues like infections, bad breath, and painful denture sores.

If you would like to be able to wear your dentures 24/7, ask us if you are a candidate for fixed implant dentures.

What Is the Average Age for Dentures?

Tooth loss is more common among older individuals. For example, according to one statistic, around 2/3 of adults ages 40 – 64 are missing at least one tooth, compared to just 33% of adults between 20 and 39 years of age. The American Dental Association conducted a census that found 57% of individuals ages 65 – 74 wear some type of denture.

Of course, some young people face circumstances that lead to tooth loss. Dentures may be suitable for adults of virtually any age.