Dentures – Jacksonville, FL
Make Your Smile Whole Again!
Without teeth, everything from talking to eating can feel basically impossible. It may sometimes seem like you’re missing out on the best things in life, but with a well-fitting prosthetic, you can get all of those things back.
If you’re in Jacksonville, Dr. Altenbach of Altenbach Dentistry can give you a set of dentures that can make your smile whole again! Give us a call and we’ll be able to use prosthetics to help you look and feel your best.
Why Choose Altenbach Dentistry For Dentures?
- Dedicated Dental Team to Attend to your Needs
- Prosthetics Made from the Highest Quality Materials
- Dental Implant Surgery Performed In-House
Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Dentures are a popular way to refurbish your smile after suffering from tooth loss because they’re a versatile solution that can be adapted to meet your unique circumstances. Whether you’ve lost a few or all of your adult teeth, these prosthetics can restore your ability to eat and speak more easily. However, that doesn’t mean they’re the best solution for everybody. Before you can proceed, you must consult Dr. Altenbach to ensure you’re a good candidate.
Keep reading below to learn more about who dentures can help, and feel free to contact us for more information.
Effects of Missing Teeth
There are a few potential reasons for your tooth loss, but gum disease is the number one leading cause. Once bacteria penetrate your gumline and cause infection, your gums will start to recede to avoid the disease. As they recede, they leave the vulnerable roots exposed, which can lead them to loosen and fall out over time.
Other potential causes include tooth decay or physical trauma. If your teeth have cavities or have sustained an injury, they’re vulnerable to additional harm and infection that can destabilize your jawbone. Whatever was behind them, gaps in your grin can impact your speech patterns, interfere with your ability to chew, and leave you feeling self-conscious about the changes in your appearance.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
During your consultation, Dr. Altenbach will examine your mouth to ensure no preexisting conditions could interfere with your artificial teeth. For example, if he finds signs of cavities or gum disease, he’ll work with you to address them first.
Although potentially anyone with missing teeth can benefit from dentures, they’re ideal for patients who have:
- A significant amount of tooth loss.
- Severely decayed or damaged teeth.
- Tooth sensitivity.
- A sufficiently healthy and supportive jawbone.
- The ability to clean and maintain their restoration.
- A dedication to oral health.
Don't lose hope if you’re not currently an ideal candidate for dentures. Sometimes, additional procedures may be needed before you can move forward. For example, if your jawbone is too thin, a bone graft can bulk it up enough to support your prosthetics.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If our team determines that dentures aren’t right for you, you might benefit from another type of tooth replacement, such as:
- Dental bridges. These are perfect for patients who have lost one or several teeth in a row. They consist of the right number of pontics (artificial teeth) with a dental crown at both ends that anchor to healthy teeth on either side of the gap in your grin.
- Dental implants. These are the only restorations that are inserted directly into your jawbone for added strength and stability. They tend to cost more upfront but are a more permanent solution.
Types of Dentures
There are multiple kinds of dentures, and which one is best for you depends heavily on your unique needs. Dr. Altenbach will advise you on which style of prosthetic could work best for you, but before you get more personalized advice, here’s a general overview of what each of them can do.
Partial Dentures
If you’re missing only some of the teeth on a ridge, partial dentures could work for you. Unlike dental bridges, they can be used to replace missing teeth that aren’t right next to each other. They’re affixed to the existing teeth with small metal clamps.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are used to replace all of the teeth on an arch. Because there are no natural teeth to affix to, their acrylic base is designed to fit very snugly against the gums, allowing them to stay in place entirely via suction.
Implant Dentures
If you don’t want to rely on suction to hold your prosthetic in place, you could always get dentures that are attached to a series of dental implants. These are small metal posts that are surgically placed into the jaw.
Dental implants provide your dentures with much greater stability, and unlike most dentures, they stimulate the jawbone to prevent bone shrinkage.
The Benefits of Dentures
We take pride in the prosthetics that we give to our patients. They’re made of the highest quality materials and are customized to you specifically, which means that they’re both exceedingly durable and look very natural.
A set of well-fitting dentures can also puff up your cheeks, preventing your face from looking hollow and deterring the onset of wrinkles. Once you’re used to eating with them, you’ll be able to eat a much more expansive diet than before as well.
All told, dentures are cost-effective, easy to maintain, and can do incredible things for people who are missing teeth. If that describes you, give us a call and we’ll be happy to fix you right up!
Denture FAQs
Why Do My Dentures Smell?
It could be that you’re not cleaning your mouth as thoroughly as you need to be. There’s no shame in that, though – dentures work a little differently than natural teeth, so even if you’re a pro brusher and flosser, you could miss a spot or two.
Keep in mind that food can become trapped underneath your dentures, not just the part you see when you smile. Make sure you’re cleaning this area, as well as your gums, tongue, and the inside of your cheeks. To be as thorough as possible (and give your gums a break each night!), soak your dentures in an approved cleaning solution before bed.
Will Dentures Change the Shape of My Face?
Ill-fitting dentures might make your face look a bit strange. We’ll be happy to adjust them for you if they need realigned, but you should also know that dentures will actually help preserve your facial structure. Missing teeth can cause your skin to appear sunken and sagging, because your facial muscles rely on teeth for support. Dentures fill out your smile, stopping your features from “collapsing.”
Can You Still Eat Steak with Dentures?
That’s a good question! Eating certain foods with dentures can be difficult, especially if they’re new to you. Tough steak meat is, unfortunately, one of those items that often presents challenges. However, with a few clever tips, you can still enjoy this delicacy!
When you’re browsing meats at the store, choose a tenderloin or other cuts that don’t have as many ligaments or muscle fibers. These stringy parts are part of what makes steak so hard to chew. Similarly, take the time to thoroughly tenderize your meat so it’s nice and soft. When you’re ready to sit down and eat your meal, cut the steak into the smallest pieces possible. The “divide and conquer” approach works well with dentures!
Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?
Surprisingly, no. It’s important to keep your dentures clean to eliminate harmful oral bacteria and maintain good hygiene, but the ingredients in most commercial toothpastes are abrasive. Over time, your prosthetic will be weathered down by scratches.
Instead, use hand soap or a mild dishwashing liquid. Denture cleaners are generally safe too, though it’s never a bad idea to double-check with your dentist!