Patients who are missing all of their teeth can replace the missing teeth with dentures. A denture is a removable appliance that the patient wears over the gum tissue to replace the missing teeth. The denture appliance will improve the appearance, help aid in the function of chewing and support the cheeks and lips. Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.

Conventional Dentures

A conventional denture is fabricated after all the teeth have been extracted and the gums have healed. A conventional denture can be made after about six weeks of healing. A conventional denture takes five appointments to make to ensure proper fitting.

Immediate Dentures

An immediate denture is made before a patient has his or her teeth extracted and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted. The gums are then allowed to heal under the denture. An immediate denture allows patients to leave the office with an appliance that replaces the missing teeth that day, however, immediate dentures often do not fit as well as conventional dentures and may need to be adjusted and fitted several times. Often patients will end up needing a new denture made after healing is complete to ensure a better fit.