Complete Dentures

For decades, complete dentures have been a reliable way to restore a functional and esthetic smile in people who have experienced tooth loss due to age, decay, or other health reasons. Complete dentures are a prosthetic dental device that fits over a person's gums and replace entire arch of teeth, either the upper or lower. This type of treatment is usually used when all of the natural teeth have been lost or removed.Complete dentures have both a base and teeth attached to it. The upper denture has a horseshoe-shaped base that covers the roof of the patient’s mouth and many times helps provide a supportive form for the palate.  

The process of making complete dentures typically consists of six basic steps:
 
1. Impression: An impression of the gums is taken using tray and putty.

2. Disinfection and Cast Relines: The impressions are sent to the lab, where they are disinfected, then skin wax is added to the impressions to create a negative mold. The lab technician then creates a plaster cast of the mold, which is used as the foundation to create the dentures.  

3. Tooth Setup: The first step in fabricating dentures is to select the appropriate teeth and arrange them into a smiling line.

4. Try-In: The dentist will try the dentures in the patient’s mouth to get an accurate fit and if any adjustments need to be made.

5. Finalization: Once the dentures are finished, they are sent to the lab for final finishing before being sent to the dentist.

6. Delivery: The finished dentures are then ready to fit in the patient’s mouth.

Complete dentures not only provide a much-needed smile to the patient, they can also help them restore their ability to eat, speak, and chew properly. Although once complete dentures were considered a cumbersome and uncomfortable option for restoring teeth, today's models provide a comfortable and secure fit, as well as a natural look.

However, like all dental prosthetics, complete dentures still require regular visits to the dentist for cleaning and professional adjustments to make sure they continue to fit properly and provide optimal results. Proper care and maintenance also plays an important role in keeping complete dentures lasting longer and ensuring they are as functional and comfortable as possible.