Best Dentist in Pearl Harbor
Whether from disease, malnutrition, genetic disorders, or an accident sometimes it is necessary for an individual to have some or all of their teeth extracted. While this can be devastating, partial or full dentures can be fabricated to restore an attractive smile, provide needed support for normal facial contours and reestablish a highly functional occlusion.
A denture consists of natural looking artificial teeth set in a supportive base. It may be fabricated to replace either a small group of teeth, an entire upper arch, an entire lower arch, or used to restore both dental arches.
A denture consists of natural looking artificial teeth set in a supportive base. It may be fabricated to replace either a small group of teeth, an entire upper arch, an entire lower arch, or used to restore both dental arches.
A complete denture refers to the replacement all of the teeth in a dental arch. It can be inserted either of two ways. It can be inserted some weeks after the extraction sites and all of the surgical procedures have had a chance to heal, or as an “immediate” denture placed the same day the last remaining teeth are extracted. Although an immediate denture offers the advantage of not having to go without teeth for any period of time, it can require multiple adjustments as the tissues remodel and heal following dental extractions or other surgical procedures.
In situations where some sturdy teeth remain, partial dentures can be fabricated. Partial dentures can achieve adequate retention and stability by having clasps on the teeth surrounding the edentulous areas.
In some cases added stability for the dentures can be provided by strategically placed implants.
We start the denture process by taking impressions of both your gums and teeth. We then send these impressions to a local lab where your new appliance is created for you. You will come back in after roughly two weeks so that the denture can be placed. You will need to remove the denture nightly to keep it looking its best and to clean it properly. Most dentures are able to last for about seven years or longer depending on how well they are cared for during that time and how rough you are when wearing the prosthetic.
Implant-supported dentures involve a series of implants that are placed to hold the denture securely in your mouth. Many denture wearers complain that their appliances slip and fall out throughout the day, or the fit of the denture looks unnatural and is uncomfortable for them. In order to eliminate these problems, we can place several implants and make an overdenture that snaps into place over them. Your overdenture is a great way to restore your smile and get away from the creams, gels and adhesive strips that you’ve been using for years.
It’s not uncommon to have an ill-fitting denture. Weight gain, weight loss and simply getting older can all have an impact on the way that your denture fits. If you’re finding that you’re constantly using strips and adhesive gels to keep your denture in place, it’s time to look for a better alternative. Implant-supported dentures are ideal because the implants themselves are permanent, so you won’t need to worry about replacing them over time.
To determine if you’re a candidate for implant-supported dentures, we’ll examine your mouth and take a look at your existing dentures. This will give us an idea of whether or not you’d benefit from implants. If you have bone loss, this could have an impact on how well the implants heal. For this, we recommend bone grafting prior to any implants being placed.
The first step is to provide you with sedation or anesthetic of your choosing. We will discuss these options during your consultation appointment. We then carefully make incisions through the gums and place the long, thin implant deep into the jawbone. The implants are then given time to heal. For most patients, this can take anywhere from three to six months depending on your own unique ability to heal. The next step is to make an overdenture for you using impressions. This denture is removable, but it will snap securely in place over the new implants.
Creating & maintaining healthy smiles in Pearl City & Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
