Dentures


A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.

Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.

  • A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
  • An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
  • An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
  • A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.

The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination of both. Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically treated teeth and a complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.

Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Often over looked is the continued need for regular dental examinations.  These exams are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or for any other changes in the oral cavity.

Did you know not all dentures are created equal!

At Atkinson Family Dental Center, Dr. Schulte believes in providing every patients with all options possible when it comes to your oral health.  When patients are contemplating a removable denture or partial for the first time or replacing an existing denture/partial, a patient has many options!  Not all patients will 

Denture/Partial Tooth Options:

  1. Economy Teeth:
    Have a wear/life expectancy of 3-5 years.
  2. Select Teeth:
    Ivoclar BlueLine teeth have always been known for superior aesthetics.  The secret lies in the natural layering.  Since natural teeth have different dentin and incisal layers, BlueLine denture teeth reproduce these layers natural aesthetics.  They have a wear/life expectancy of 8-10 years.
  3. Signature Teeth:
    Precision crafted with Nano Hybrid Composite, Phonares II represents  the next generation of denture teeth offering a unique blend of unrivaled beauty and unparalleled performance.  Phonares II have a wear/life expectancy of 12-15 years.

Denture/Parital Acrylic Options:

  1. Cold Pour: This is a traditional method of fabricating dentures, using pourable acrylic, which is proven for its reliability and durability.
  2. Heat-injected: This is a more advanced technology in which the denture material is injected into a custom mold under high pressure and then heat cured. The resulting denture is stronger, denser, and more closely matches the impressions of your mouth, so it can provide a more precise and comfortable fit.

Optional services:

  • Metal Mesh – when added strength is required in a maxillary (upper) denture
  • Patient Name – a person’s name can be added to a denture base.  This is beneficial for patients who reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.