Dentures
Dentures can help maintain oral health and overall quality of life for individuals who have lost their natural teeth. Not only do they restore the mouth’s function, making it easier to eat and speak, but they also bring back the confidence that comes with a complete smile.
If you’re in Waterloo, Ontario, and are considering modern dentures to address tooth loss, we provide comprehensive denture services to help you regain your beautiful smile and enjoy the benefits that come with it. We have a denture specialist on staff who can assess your dental needs and recommend the best type of denture for you.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are custom-made replacements for missing teeth and can be removed and put back into your mouth. While these dental appliances take some time to get used to and will never feel the same as natural teeth, today’s dentures are natural-looking and more comfortable than ever.
Replacing missing teeth is essential for your oral health to improve appearance and prevent the remaining teeth from shifting, which can lead to oral health issues.
Different Types of Dentures
Full Dentures
Dentists craft complete dentures, also known as full dentures, for individuals without natural teeth. These dentures usually fit the upper jaw, lower jaw or both. After the gums have completely healed from extractions, dentists use these dentures to offer a full set of artificial teeth, securing them with natural suction or oral adhesive.
Partial Dentures
Dentists create partial dentures for patients who still have some of their natural teeth. Patients get these dentures to fill in the spaces left by missing teeth and are secured with clasps or precision attachments to the remaining teeth. These attachments often have a more pleasing appearance.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are a third type of denture that dentists mount on titanium posts, which they surgically insert into the jawbone. These give dentures greater stability than traditional dentures, preventing slipping and improving comfort. They are also an increasingly popular choice for full and partial denture wearers.
Overdentures
If you don’t want conventional dentures, you can always choose overdentures that sit over the top of your gums. Dentists can either secure them on the remaining natural teeth or dental implants, which you can easily remove. They are also more comfortable as they cause less irritation than standard dentures.
Snap-in Dentures
Snap-in dentures snap on because of anchors implanted into the existing teeth. They are also known for their ease of removal and secure fit. Snap-in dentures are especially suitable for patients with sufficient bone to support the implants or who have few natural teeth left.
Immediate Dentures
Lastly, dentists create immediate dentures in advance, placing them in the mouth immediately after removing the teeth. It means you can leave the denture clinic with a full set of teeth even after extractions. It’s important to note that bones and gums shrink over time during the healing period following tooth removal.
Materials Used to Craft Dentures
Crafting removable dentures is impossible without using the right materials.
- Acrylic Resin. Popular due to its adaptability and ease of adjustment.
- Chrome Cobalt Metal. Known for its durability and stability.
- Flexible Plastics. Offering a comfortable and aesthetic alternative.
- Porcelain. Another material that also offers strength and durability.
What to Expect When Getting First-Time Dentures
1. Initial Consultation
This is the primary appointment where a dentist will thoroughly assess your oral health, including examining your teeth, gums, and overall mouth condition. They will talk to you about the range of treatment options tailored to your requirements.
2. Preparation Stage
The dentist might recommend extracting some of your remaining teeth if deemed necessary for your oral health. After the tooth extraction, you will go through a healing period that may last several weeks to ensure proper recovery and adjustment of your dental health. This period may also involve specific care instructions and follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress.
3. Making the Impression
Once your gums heal, the dentist will take precise measurements of your mouth to ensure the dentures fit properly. They do this by making an impression, which they will use to create your custom dentures.
4. Dental Fitting
The fourth step involves your dentist sending your dentures to a dental lab. Once they arrive, you’ll finally have your first fitting. You should also expect it’s common to make adjustments to achieve an excellent fit and comfort.
5. Adjusting to New Dentures
This step involves learning how to speak and eat with your new dentures. Expect minor discomfort and awkwardness initially, as you will get used to them afterward.
6. Follow-Up and Maintenance
Finally, you’ll conduct regular follow-ups with your dentist to check the fit and make necessary adjustments over time. You’ll also have to follow proper care and cleaning to maintain the durability of your new dentures.
Dentistry in Waterloo Offers High-Quality Dentures
Your comfort and satisfaction are our dedicated team’s top priorities. Dentistry in Waterloo is committed to offering expert care and high-quality dentures that allow you to smile freely again. You can also rely on our dental staff to help craft your dentures correctly.
Contact us for your initial consultation with our dentures dentist and take the first step towards a brighter, more confident smile.
Office
Since providing compassionate care is our main objective, we strive to ensure that our patients feel at ease. The environment of our dental clinic is relaxing. The first impression many patients get when they walk in is that they have walked into a spa.
A comfortable surrounding paired with a team that is kind and personable; each one of our team members show that not only do we care for you, but we also care about you. This is shown by going the extra mile to make sure that we meet your needs and expectations at all of your appointments. Our team will do everything they can to accommodate you and guide you towards a healthy and happy smile.
Appointments
We know you have many choices when choosing a Dentist in Waterloo, Ontario so we have made requesting an appointment a simple process via our Web site. If, for any reason you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, or will be delayed, please call us as soon as possible.
Insurance and Billing
At our fee-for-service office, we go above and beyond to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for our patients. Payment is required at the end of your appointment, but we take care of the rest. Once your visit is complete, we handle the entire insurance claim process for you, submitting it electronically to save you time and effort. If you have direct deposit set up with your insurance provider, your reimbursement will be deposited into your bank account within a couple of days. Otherwise, your insurance carrier will mail the cheque to your registered address.
We strongly encourage setting up direct deposit if you have not already done so, as it will expedite the reimbursement process. Please feel free to inquire about how to proceed with this option. We are here to help!
Cancellation
If you are unable to keep an appointment, we ask that you kindly provide us with at least 48 clinic business hours’ notice. A fee may be charged if a patient does not show up for an appointment without sufficient notice.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing our practice for your dental care.