Dentures
A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an prosthesis that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.
Dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.
- A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and healed.
- An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted the same day after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
- An upper denture has acrylic 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 and have a lifelike appearance. Dentures can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit and increased chewing efficiency. While some offices ship their lab work overseas, all of our dentures are fabricated by local labs right here in Minnesota.
Over time, dentures 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 loss of natural teeth. Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.
