Dentures Specialist

What are dentures?

Dentures replace your permanent teeth. They’re made of tough materials like nylon or acrylic and rest comfortably on top of your gums. 

Dentures aren’t as tough as your natural enamel, but with good oral hygiene and routine checkups, they often last 7-10* years. What’s more, dentures reduce the appearance of sagging facial skin and make daily activities like biting and chewing easier.

What are the types of dentures?

The team at Family Dentistry of West Chester offers several types of dentures, including:

Partial dentures

If you still have healthy permanent teeth, your provider might recommend a partial denture. Partial dentures have one or more artificial teeth and a wireframe that looks similar to a retainer. The wireframe connects to small metal clasps, preventing your denture from moving out of position.

Complete dentures

If you’ve lost an entire arch of permanent teeth, your provider might recommend complete dentures. Complete dentures have a metal base plate, pink plastic gums, and a row of artificial teeth. You apply an adhesive to the bottom of the base plate and rest them on top of your gums.

What does getting dentures involve?

At Family Dentistry of West Chester, getting dentures takes two visits.

First dentures visit

Before recommending dentures, your dentist conducts an oral exam and takes a series of oral X-rays. If you’ve lost some or all of your teeth as a result of trauma, decay, or extractions, you’re a candidate for dentures.

Your provider takes precise molds of your teeth and gums and sends them to a professional denture laboratory. Technicians at the laboratory use your molds to design and manufacture a partial denture or a set of complete dentures that fit your mouth perfectly.

Second dentures visit

When your dentures are finished, you return to Family Dentistry of West Chester. Once you arrive, your provider has you try your dentures on. Then, they assess your bite and ability to speak and make adjustments as necessary.

How do I take care of my dentures?

After you get dentures, it’s important to take good care of them. If you perform routine preventive maintenance, they last much longer. The team at Family Dentistry of West Chester recommends taking your dentures out after meals and snacks and gently brushing them with a soft-bristle toothbrush. It’s also important to soak your dentures overnight in a cleaning solution.

You might also need to avoid certain foods and beverages. For example, hot coffee might cause your dentures to warp, while snacking on peanuts or hard candy might cause your dentures to crack. If you have any questions about caring for your dentures, don’t hesitate to ask.

To see if you can benefit from dentures, make an appointment at Family Dentistry of West Chester by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature today.