An Attractive, Affordable Solution
At Healthy Chelsea Dental, we use dentures as a natural-looking and cost-efficient replacement for any number of missing teeth. They’re custom-made to blend in seamlessly with your natural smile in as little as two visits to our office in New York, NY.
Depending on your needs, we may recommend dentures for several reasons including:
- Loss of all teeth in an arch
- Loss of several teeth in an arch
- Enhancing smile and facial issues
- Improving chewing, speech, and digestion
Types of Dentures
Our New York practice offers two types of dentures — complete and partial dentures. At your consultation, we’ll examine your oral health, discuss your individual needs, and help determine the best solution for you.
Complete Dentures
Complete or full dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, replacing an entire arch of teeth on your upper or lower jaw, or both.
These may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking four to six weeks. During this time, you’ll have to live without teeth.
Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to live without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will be made as necessary.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain to fill the spaces created by missing teeth. These dentures prevent surrounding teeth from shifting and your facial structure from sinking in. Removable partial dentures typically use replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases that are connected by a metal framework.
Receiving Your Dentures
The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over the course of several weeks. The first step is taking highly accurate impressions, or molds, that will be used to create your custom dentures.
Several “try-in” appointments may be necessary to ensure a proper shape, color, and fit for your restoration. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring that it looks natural and fits comfortably.
It’s normal to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty at first. However, this will subside quickly as your muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dentures that don’t fit properly can mess up your bite and result in additional oral health issues. If your dentures don’t fit right, let Dr. Boyd know right away. He may be able to reline them for a more snug, comfortable fit. If this doesn’t work, you may want to consider implant-supported dentures.
If you break or otherwise damage your dentures, store them in a safe place and do your best to keep them clean until one of our exceptional New York dentists can see you. It’s crucial that you don’t attempt to fix the dentures yourself, as this can result in further damage.
Most insurance plans don’t offer any coverage for dentures, though some plans may pay for a portion of your total treatment cost. The amount of coverage can vary depending on the terms set by your provider. If you have any questions about your insurance benefits, we’ll be happy to assist you.
To keep your dentures clean, make sure to remove them every night and leave them soaking in water or an approved solution. It’s also important to brush your dentures every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild, colorless soap. Don’t use any cleaning solutions with chemicals in them, since these can permanently damage your dentures.
If your dentures have stains, it can be difficult to remove them. That’s why we recommend practicing excellent oral hygiene to avoid stains in the first place. Don’t use bleach or any other teeth whitening products with dentures, or you run the risk of irreparable damage.