Dentures & Partial Dentures in Las Vegas
If you have lost all or some of your teeth, our expert dentists can fit you with comfortable dentures or partial dentures. Dentures and partial dentures are removable devices that look, feel, and function similarly to the real teeth that you’ve become used to.
When teeth start falling out, bone loss begins in the jaw. This is due to the lack of consistent pressure created through normal chewing. Facial muscles can start to sag and the jawline weakens, which can affect your appearance. With full dentures or partial dentures, you can have a new smile at an affordable price. Dentures will slow bone loss in the jaw, and allow you to eat and speak again with much less difficulty.
Your dentist can help you select the right fit based on measurements and models.
Our Denture and Partial Denture Options Include:
- Conventional dentures: If some teeth are remaining, they will be removed and once the tissue heals, conventional dentures will be custom-fitted based on the model of the patient’s mouth.
- Immediate dentures: After remaining teeth are removed, immediate dentures are placed right away, so you don’t have to be without teeth during healing. Immediate dentures may need to be refitted after healing.
- Overdenture: With overdentures, the remaining teeth do not have to be removed. The dentures are modeled based on the patient’s mouth and they are supported by the existing teeth.
- Partial dentures: If you have most of your teeth but you are missing a small section, partial dentures can replace these teeth with a removable device.
Considering Dentures in Las Vegas or Laughlin, Nevada?
Request a time and date below and we’ll follow up as soon as possible
to schedule your dentures consultation.
Caring for Your Dentures
Your dentist will give you detailed care instructions when you get your dentures or partial dentures. This will include guidelines for how long to wear them. At first, you will probably be advised to wear them even when you sleep, but this will change as your mouth adjusts. After the adjustment period, it is good practice to take the dentures out while you sleep.
Make sure to handle your dentures or partial dentures with care and clean them properly. The following are good practices to keep your mouth healthy and your dentures looking their best:
- Brush dentures daily with a soft bristled brush
- Clean your gums and palate with gauze or soft bristled brush
- Never use bleach, hot water or abrasive cleaners on your dentures
- Don’t allow your dentures to dry out
- Use ADA-approved denture cleansers
- Cushion hard surfaces with a towel to prevent damage from dropping your dentures
- Remove dentures at night or as instructed by your dentist
- If dentures are slipping or uncomfortable, have them adjusted
Denture and Partial Denture Repairs and Adjustments
If your dentures or partial dentures dry out, a tooth is loose, or you notice other damages, do not try to fix them yourself. Cracks, chips and other issues can be fixed by your dentist, typically in one day. However, attempting to fix them without the right expertise can cause serious problems.
Dentures take on a big job, and they do eventually wear down. Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear. To reline or rebase a denture, the dentist refits the existing denture base, or make a new one, and reattaches the existing (undamaged) teeth. Dentures will also need to be refitted over time as the shape of your jaw and gums change. Ill-fitting dentures can cause irritation, sores, and infection, so it’s best to refit your dentures whenever you notice a problem. With affordable denture care, you can make sure that your dentures always fit comfortably.
Complete dentures are called “conventional” or “immediate” according to when they are made and when they are inserted into the mouth. Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, the dentist takes measurements and makes the models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit.
An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining to fit properly. A conventional denture can then be made once the tissues have healed. Healing may take at least six to eight weeks.
An overdenture is a removable denture that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants. The natural teeth must be prepared to provide stability and support for the denture. Your dentist can determine if an overdenture would be suitable for you.
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place.
It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should diminish. One or more follow-up appointments with the dentist are generally needed after a denture is inserted. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your Las Vegas cosmetic dentist immediately.
Dentures can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that little change in appearance will be noticeable. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile and help fill out the appearance of your face and profile.
Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the dentures from tipping. As you become accustomed to chewing, add other foods until you return to your normal diet. Continue to chew food using both sides of the mouth at the same time. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells.
Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words will help. If your dentures “click” while you’re talking, speak more slowly. You may find that your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If a speaking problem persists, consult your dentist.
Your dentist will provide instructions about how long dentures should be kept in place. During the first few days, you may be advised to wear them most of the time, including while you sleep. After the initial adjustment period, you may be instructed to remove the dentures before going to bed. This allows gum tissues to rest and promotes oral health. Generally, it is not desirable to wear dentures continuously.
Denture adhesive can provide additional retention for well-fitting dentures. Denture adhesives are not the solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. A poorly fitting denture, which causes constant irritation over a long period, may contribute to the development of sores. These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced. If your dentures begin to feel loose or cause pronounced discomfort, consult with your dentist immediately.
Dentures are very delicate and may break if dropped even a few inches. Stand over a folded towel or a basin of water when handling dentures. When you are not wearing them, store your dentures away from children and pets.
Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily to remove food deposits and plaque. Brushing helps to prevent dentures from becoming permanently stained and helps your mouth stay healthy. It’s best to use a brush designed for cleaning dentures. A toothbrush with soft bristles can also be used. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes that can damage dentures.
Some denture wearers use hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid, which are both acceptable for cleaning dentures. Avoid using other powdered household cleansers, which may be too abrasive. Also, avoid using bleach, as this may whiten the pink portion of the denture.
Your dentist can recommend a denture cleanser. Look for denture cleansers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
The first step in cleaning dentures is to rinse away loose food particles thoroughly. Moisten the brush and apply denture cleanser. Brush every surface, scrubbing gently to avoid damage.
Dentures may lose their shape if they are allowed to dry out. When they are not being worn, dentures should be placed in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in water. Your dentist can recommend the best method. Never place dentures in hot water, which could cause them to warp.
Ultrasonic cleaners are also used to care for dentures. However, using an ultrasonic cleaner does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
You can seriously damage your dentures and harm your health by trying to adjust or repair your dentures. A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause irritation and sores. See your dentist if your dentures break, crack, chip, or if one of the teeth becomes loose. A dentist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. A person who lacks the proper training will not be able to reconstruct the denture. This can cause greater damage to the denture and may cause problems in your mouth. Glue sold over the counter often contains harmful chemicals and should not be used on dentures.
Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear. To reline or rebase a denture, the dentist uses the existing denture teeth and refits the denture base or makes a new denture base. Dentures may need to be replaced if they become loose and the teeth show signs of significant wear. Dentures become loose because a mouth naturally changes with age. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, causing jaws to align differently. Shrinking ridges can cause dentures to fit less securely. Loose dentures can cause health problems, including sores and infections. A loose denture also makes chewing more difficult and may change your facial features. It’s important to replace worn or poorly fitting dentures before they cause problems.
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What To Expect From Dentures or Partial Dentures
We can provide you with affordable dentures and partial dentures, and help you to get adjusted. While dentures are fitted using a model of your mouth, they may still take some time to get used to. You may feel minor soreness as the surrounding muscles get adjusted. One or more follow-up appointments with the dentist are generally needed after a denture is inserted. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your dentist immediately.
Dentures are a big change, whether you have a full set or partial dentures. While you adjust, start with soft foods and take small bites. Dentures may initially affect speech, but this is easily overcome with practice. Reading out loud is a common practice to help the process.
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