Birmingham, AL Dentures
When you need to replace your teeth, dentures are an economical option. At Alabaster Aesthetic Dentistry, we’ll explain all your options in tooth replacement so that you can choose what’s best for you and your budget.
Removable Dentures
Our streamlined process allows us to deliver the dentures you need at a budget-friendly price. Here’s a look at what you can expect if you choose this option in tooth replacement.
Step 1: Impression
First, we’ll take physical impressions of your jaws. This will allow Dr. Dudney to create plaster models of your mouth so the denture can be fitted properly. Along with this, he’ll take some measurements to determine the position of your bite and the height for your teeth.
Step 2: Try-In
Using the plaster models and the measurements, he’ll create a temporary base and set the acrylic teeth in wax on that base. Then, Dr. Dudney will have you try in the teeth to make sure you like how they look, to test the bite, and to make sure the dentures give your mouth the proper amount of closure.
Step 3: Finished Denture
Once the design is approved during the try-in, it will be used to create your final dentures.
Limitations of Removable Dentures
Your dentures are designed to fit, but that does not mean they will remain firmly fixed in place. Though you can expect the upper denture to remain in place for the most part due to suction, it is normal for even a well-fitting lower denture to do some sliding around in your mouth. This is a common cause of discomfort for wearers of removable dentures.
A More Comfortable Alternative
You can increase the stability and comfort of your dentures by anchoring them to your jaw with dental implants. And just because implants may not be in your budget right now doesn’t mean that you have to give up on ever having them. Though you would surely enjoy the benefits of anchoring your dentures with dental implants from the beginning, implant surgery can also be done later when finances permit.
Going Beyond Comfort
While comfort certainly matters, there is a more important reason you may choose to consider implant-supported dentures. Many people are unaware that when you lose all of your teeth, your jawbone begins to disintegrate due to a natural process known as bone resorption. When the body recognizes that the jawbone is no longer being used to support teeth, it takes the bone minerals from the jaw so they can be used somewhere else in the body. As shown by the jaw models at left, bone resorption causes your jawbone to shrink, dramatically at first and then slowly over a period of many years. Eventually, there comes a time when even eating with them is difficult and even painful.
Thankfully, dental implants halt this process. Once embedded in your jaw, the implants signal to the body that the surrounding bone is being used again, and bone resorption in that area stops. Anchoring your dentures with dental implants not only ensures that you’ll always have access to functional teeth but also keeps your face from collapsing and appearing shriveled, as inevitably happens at an advanced stage of bone resorption. Visit our Implant-Supported Dentures page for more information on the types we offer as well as their benefits.
Helping You Move Forward
No matter which option you choose to replace your teeth, we’re here to support you. To get started, give us a call at (205) 663-6545 to schedule a consultation. Or feel free to request an appointment online, and we’ll call you for scheduling.