Dentures and Partials
Modern dentistry provides several options for replacing missing teeth, and dentures continue to be an excellent choice that works well for many people. Modern dentures designed using updated materials and techniques are as close as dentists can get to real teeth using dental prosthetics.
Full and partial dentures are removable dental prosthetics appropriate for patients of all ages who need to replace some or all of their natural teeth.
Types of Dentures
Dentures are available in two types:
- We fit conventional dentures after your gums and jaw have fully healed from the extraction of your teeth.
- We fit immediate dentures before we extract your teeth, so you can wear them the same day we remove your teeth. Immediate dentures require several more fittings than traditional dentures, as the shape of your jaw and gums will change during the healing process. But these dentures have the advantage of immediately restoring your teeth after the extraction.
We use partial dentures when we only need to remove some of your teeth. Partials function similarly to a bridge in that they fit in with remaining teeth, but unlike a fixed bridge, they are removable.
Adjusting to Dentures
When we first fit your dentures, you may have to wear them all the time, including while sleeping. Wearing your dentures allows us to quickly find spots that we need to reshape because of discomfort or irritation. After the dentures are properly fitted to your jaw, you can remove them at night.
While dentures are not real teeth, you should care for them as if they were. Brush your dentures to remove food particles before removing them. You will need to place your dentures in a container of warm water or a denture cleaning solution as soon as you remove them from your mouth. Hot water can warp dentures, so be careful!
It can take some time for your mouth to adjust to the shape of dentures. At first, it may feel awkward and bulky to have the appliances in your mouth, but you will become accustomed to the dentures over time.
Contact our office today for more information on whether dentures are right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your dentist recommends scaling and root planing (SRP), it means you have symptoms of gum disease or periodontal disease. Dental deep cleaning is necessary to stop the damaging effects of this disease.
We all have tiny, open spaces between our teeth and gums, which dentists call a sulcus. Bacteria, plaque, and calculus can build up in these areas over time and become problematic if not removed through brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings. When this happens, the gums become swollen, the spaces get deeper, and bacteria make their way further and further down into the gums. A healthy sulcus is less than 3 mm deep, while greater depth suggests a problem. Your dentist will check the depth of the area using a special probe.
When bacteria create an infection in the gums, it’s called gingivitis. If it isn’t severe, regular dental cleaning and more rigorous dental hygiene can correct it. If the bacteria reach deep into the gums, an infection can damage the underlying structures, like the tooth root, attached ligaments, and the bone. This is periodontal disease, and it can cause tooth loss and other health problems if it’s not addressed.
Meet Our Dentist:
Dr. Elyce Millery DDS
Dr. Millery grew up in Rockville, Maryland, and received her bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Maryland College Park. She worked as a dental assistant before attending dental school. After earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, she relocated to Hanover, Maryland, with her husband and decided to open a private practice in 2018.
In addition to her formal education, Dr. Millery continues to study dentistry. She actively pursues at least 50 hours annually of continuing education in numerous topics, ...