At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, Dr. Matthew Bridges offers several types of dentures, including implant-supported restorations. Additionally, he has undergone advanced training in Predictable Esthetics and Functional Occlusion. Contact us to learn more about our dentures and how Dr. Bridges’ specialized education makes him an outstanding choice for your restorative needs. 

Traditional Dentures

When you think of dentures, you likely picture traditional removable restorations. There are two types of traditional dentures. The first, full dentures, will replace all of your teeth. You could receive an upper denture for your top teeth, a lower denture for your bottom teeth, or both at the same time. Partial dentures may be appropriate if you still have some remaining healthy teeth. 

Both full and partial traditional dentures have a gum-colored plastic base that fits over the alveolar ridge. The synthetic teeth maintain the natural alignment of the bite. Furthermore, they will match any remaining natural teeth. Denture adhesive can help to keep both types in place. Partial dentures also have small clasps that help keep the prosthetic connected to the adjacent natural teeth.

Implant-Supported Dentures

In recent years, implant-supported dentures have become a more common way to replace missing teeth. These state-of-the-art restorations offer greater stability than traditional dentures, and they also provide important health benefits. 

Implant-supported dentures are attached to small titanium implant posts. The dental implants integrate with the jawbone, essentially replacing missing tooth roots. In this way, they can uphold a new dental restoration. Plus, they can also help to regenerate bone tissue. This will reduce the risk of jawbone recession, a common side effect of tooth loss. Once your jaw has healed from implant surgery, your dentist can attach your denture. This type of restoration is permanently fixed in your mouth to fully restore your oral function with no dietary restrictions or embarrassing slippage. 

How to Choose a Dentist for Dentures

If you are researching dentures, you are not alone! The need for these restorations is incredibly common. The American College of Prosthodontists estimates that 36 million Americans are missing all their teeth, and these numbers are expected to rise in coming years. Furthermore, in a multinational study, 19% of the population in 19 countries wears some form of denture.

Once you know what type of dentist does dentures, it is important to find the right dentist for your needs. Look for someone who: 

• Has plenty of experience with dentures and other dental restorations
• Demonstrates a good track record of beautiful, functional results
• Possesses experience in cosmetic dentistry, in additional to restorative treatments
• Has advanced dental training 
• Is a leader in his or her field 
• Is dedicated to personalized care and detailed follow-up treatments 

Dr. Matthew Bridges meets all of the above requirements. His training in Predictable Esthetics means that he can provide stunningly lifelike results when designing dental prosthetics. Furthermore, thanks to his education in Functional Occlusion, he plans dentures that maintain a balanced bite and jaw health. Most importantly, he is committed to each of his patients as individuals. Along with his team, he wants to make everyone feel comfortable and fully informed about their treatment process. 

Learn More about What Type of Dentist Does Dentures

To learn more about dentures and to find a dental practice for your restorative needs, contact our Duncan, OK, office online today. You can also reach us by calling 580-255-4880. 

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If you are looking for a dentist who can help restore your smile after tooth loss, consider Dr. Bridges and our friendly team at Chisolm Trail Smile Center! We have one of the oldest dental practices in Duncan, and enjoy getting to know our patients and understand their dental goals and issues so we can provide personalized, compassionate care. If you are looking for a dental care home in Duncan, OK, call us today!

Here’s a quick checklist of how to best care for your partial dentures:

Give them a rest.

Always take your dentures out at night, before heading to bed. This gives your mouth ample time to recover from wearing the denture appliance all day, and allows the dentures time to soak and receive a deep clean. If your partials don’t have metal clasps, use an over-the-counter denture cleansing solution.  This will help to remove any stains or bacteria which may have accumulated during the day.

Use caution.

Dentures can hold up to a lot of wear and tear in your mouth, but can be surprisingly fragile outside of the mouth. Always be careful when handling them. Clean them over a small towel in case they slip out of your hand. Never use stiff brushes to clean them either. Be sure to properly store them up and away from curious pets or little children.

Clean often.

Dentures are not natural teeth, but they need just as much cleaning as your teeth and gums. Just like teeth, your dentures can attract plaque and tartar; if not properly removed, it can lead to periodontal issues such as gum irritation or infection around the appliance. Give your partials a good scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush and regular toothpaste, or special denture cleaning paste, in the evening before soaking them overnight.

Don’t forget the gums.

Your gums underneath the partial dentures can become irritated and inflamed if not properly cared for. Be sure to lightly brush and massage the gum tissue when you brush twice a day. This can remove plaque buildup and stimulate the tissues to increase blood flow.

See us regularly.

Preventive care visits to our Duncan, OK, practice should continue as normal when wearing partials. Dr. Bridges can check for signs of irritation, receding gums, or tooth decay around the partial. He can also check the appliance to ensure it is still working properly and when it needs to be replaced.

Pay attention.

If you notice a change in how your dentures fit, or if they begin to feel as though they aren’t fitting anymore, schedule an appointment right away. Your mouth’s gums and bones can shift over time, which sometimes leads to an improper denture fit after a few years. Other times, periodontal disease causes a change in how partials fit around the gums. Either way, an incorrect fit can cause painful and destructive problems like sore or bleeding gums or enamel erosion.  Dr. Bridges can adjust your dentures if the fit changes so that you can maintain a comfortable, function bite.

For more information, or to schedule your appointment with us, call us at (580) 255-4880.

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Are you thinking about putting your ongoing dental problems behind you and investing in a new set of teeth? Both traditional and implant dentures can help you restore your confidence and get on with your life! Contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center to learn about your options for dentures in Duncan, OK.

The good news is that all dentures today are more comfortable and natural looking than in the past. Technological advances in imaging and material construction allow us to provide replacement teeth that are beautiful and fit perfectly into your mouth.

Traditional Dentures

Most people are familiar with conventional dentures. They adhere to the gums by the power of suction and dental adhesives and are used to restore your teeth for more natural eating and speaking. These dentures usually last about 5-8 years, but may need to be relined more frequently, as the dimensions of the soft tissues of the mouth will change as time goes by. Dentures are made of a combination of soft and hard plastics, and therefore must be removed and soaked each night when you sleep. This prevents the plastic from drying out and warping, and ensures they will fit properly for as long as possible.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Unlike standard dentures, implant-based dentures are connected to the jaw bone, much like natural teeth. Small titanium implants are surgically placed in the jaw; usually only four are needed per arch. Once the implants heal and become stabilized by new bone growth, a denture plate can be attached and used for all your biting and chewing needs.

The primary benefit of implant dentures is that they provide greater stability. The denture will never slip out of place when you are eating because it is securely attached to the implants. When you are ready to take out the denture for cleaning and soaking, it pops out of place via a snapping mechanism. Many foods that are traditionally too hard or chewy can be eaten with implant dentures, since they stay in place so well.

Implant dentures are also more comfortable than traditional dentures, because they don’t rub against the gums. The pressure comes from the movement of the jaw, so patients rarely develop oral sores or lesions, as can happen with ill-fitting traditional dentures. Another health benefit of implant dentures is the fact that they prevent jawbone resorption. With traditional dentures, it’s guaranteed that the jaw will “shrink” over time as bone matter is slowly re-absorbed by the body. The presence of implants in the jaw is the only option that can prevent this process.

How the Process is Different

When comparing the two types of dentures, it’s important to not how different the process is. With traditional dentures, the process may only take a couple of weeks. After teeth have been extracted and the gum tissue is healed, an impression is taken, which our dental laboratory uses to construct the dentures.

With implant-supported dentures, however, the timeline may take as long as 3-6 months or more. After the implant surgery, it takes several months for new bone growth to stabilize the implants before they can be used. Additionally, patients may need bone grafting or sinus augmentation to make implants possible, especially if they have already gone many years without teeth. This can add several weeks to the timeline. Although the process is most definitely longer, many patients prefer implant dentures because the feeling is much closer to that of their natural teeth.

To learn more about Duncan, OK dentures and implant dentures, make an appointment with Dr. Matthew Bridges. We will assess your oral and jawbone health and help you decide which type of denture is right for you. For Duncan, OK dentures, contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center at 580-255-4880 today!

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