All About Dentures and Oral Health

At Hebert Family Dentistry, our goal is to do everything we can to save your natural teeth. When we’ve exhausted all options, the next step is to get fitted for a pair of dentures or partial dentures. At our North Lafayette Louisiana dentist, we’re proud to offer affordable and high-quality dentures that will be just the right fit for your mouth. When you’re ready to take the step to improve your quality of life with a pair that works for you, we’re here at our family dentistry in North Lafayette. Let’s look into some more details all about dentures, so you know what to expect.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are actually artificial teeth and a gumline that are attached to your natural gums. They are custom-designed to fit your mouth and are usually affixed with a temporary dental adhesive. They can be “full” to replace all of your teeth on the top and bottom, or they can also be “partial” which will only replace a few teeth that are missing. Full dentures can be removable or fixed in place. Partial dentures are always removable pieces that the patient can take in and out on a daily basis.

The Materials That Dentures Are Made From

Remember hearing about the first President of the United States, George Washington, and his wooden teeth? Well, luckily advances in dental technology have come a long way! Now, most dentures are made out of durable hard resin. This material has replaced porcelain or plastic that dentures used to be made out of years ago. The hard resin is very resistant to damage. However, it is not as strong as your natural teeth and will need to be replaced when worn down every five years on average.

The artificial gum material that the teeth are attached to is also made of a similar resin. It is a flexible polymer that is a little bit softer to resemble natural gums and will fit nicely against the real gums in a person’s mouth.

Getting Fitted for Dentures

Millions of people get fitted for dentures each year. It’s a multi-step process that our North Lafayette, Louisiana dentist will try to make as seamless as possible for you. We want you to be on the road to eating all the foods you love, being able to talk correctly while wearing your new dentures, and can flash a confident smile with them.

First, if you need to have teeth removed, we’ll go through that step with you. We’ll explain what to expect and how to care for your mouth after the removal process. Then, the next step is to get fitted for your full or partial dentures. We’ll make dental impressions of your mouth’s soft tissue and any remaining teeth to produce an exact cast or model of its shape.

Then wax models are made of your potential dentures, so that you can get a feel for how they will fit into your mouth. Plus, we’ll use a bite model to make sure your jaw motion is lined up correctly.

Finally, you’ll have some options that we’ll go over about the shape and color of your teeth. We want them to look natural and comfortable. That way no one will know you’re wearing a set of dentures, but you. Sometimes it helps to bring pictures of your smile to make sure that you’re getting exactly the right look you are striving for.

The Final Step in Everything

When your full or partial dentures are ready, you’ll come in for one final fitting. Our staff will cover all the steps to putting in your dentures comfortably. Additionally, we will give you options of adhesives and cleaners to use.

When wearing your dentures daily, it may take a few weeks to get adjusted to how they feel. There may be some sore spots in your mouth while you get used to them. It takes a little bit of time to adjust to speaking and eating with them in your mouth. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to them quickly. The good news is that eventually, the dentures will feel like a normal part of your routine.

Contact Hebert Family Dentistry

If you have questions about the denture process or would like to schedule a consultation at our dental office in North Lafayette, contact us at Hebert Family Dentistry. We’d love to fit you with just the right dentures that will give you the confidence to smile brightly at the world around you.