Dentures

If you wear dentures, you understand the importance of having a confident, healthy, and functional smile. Our practice provides personalized denture services to meet your needs and ensure your comfort. You are as unique as your smile, and we create one-of-a-kind dentures that feel great and look natural.

What are dentures?

Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth created by Dr. Burkett or Dr. Klink that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial.

• Full dentures are given to patients when all the natural teeth have been removed. Conventional full dentures are placed after the gum tissue has healed, which can take several months. Immediate full dentures are placed right after the teeth have been removed and may require frequent adjustments during the first couple months of use.
• Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are considered a removable alternative to bridges.

How do I know if dentures are the right choice for me?

Dentures are not for everyone. If you’re interested in learning more about them, and want to know if they are the right choice for you, please schedule an appointment. Dr. Burkett or Dr. Klink will be happy to answer any questions you might have, and can determine the best course of treatment for your ongoing dental health.

Caring for Your Dentures

Just like natural teeth, dentures require daily maintenance in order to stay clean and keep bacteria from growing inside of your mouth. Keep your dentures clean and your smile healthy by doing the following:

• When handling your dentures, stand over a clean, folded towel or a sink full of water. If you accidentally drop your dentures, they are less likely to break.
• Your dentures are not immune from plaque and tartar build-up, so it’s important to brush them every day. To brush your dentures, use a soft-bristled brush and gently scrub the surfaces, being careful not to break or bend the plastic. In between brushings, it’s important to rinse your dentures after each meal.
• Use a gentle cleanser to clean your dentures. Many toothpastes, household cleaners, and mouthwashes can be too hard on them, so we recommend you use a mild hand or dish soap to get your dentures clean. Be sure to check for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval to choose products that are safe for your dentures, or ask us which products may be best for you.
• When you are not wearing your dentures, they need to be kept moist. Dentures that are not kept in a denture-cleaning solution or in water can dry out, lose their shape, or even crack and break. Certain styles of dentures require particular soaking solutions, so be sure to ask which solution is best for you.
• Even if you have a full set of dentures, it’s necessary to keep your gums and tongue clean. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush to clean your gums and tongue gently every day.

If by chance your dentures do break, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Broken dentures that don’t fit properly can cause irritation to your gums and mouth.