Dentures in Salt Lake City
Losing several or all of your teeth can affect the way you chew, speak, and function from day to day. Dentures are one of several ways to replace multiple missing teeth. Depending on your situation, treatment may involve a complete denture, partial denture, implant-retained denture, implant-supported restoration, or another approach.
Dr. Keith Egan looks at the teeth you still have, the condition of your gums and bone, your bite, previous dental treatment, and what you would like to accomplish before recommending a plan.
Complete Dentures
A complete or full denture replaces all of the teeth in an upper or lower arch. Upper and lower dentures behave differently; lower dentures often have less available surface area and must function around the tongue and other moving tissues, which can make them more challenging to stabilize. Fit, bite, tooth position, facial support, speech, esthetics, and muscle function all matter.
Partial Dentures
A removable partial denture replaces several missing teeth while using remaining natural teeth and oral tissues for support and retention. Traditional cast-metal partial dentures can provide strength and rigidity, while other materials and designs may be appropriate depending on the clinical situation. The health of the remaining natural teeth is an important part of planning.
Immediate Dentures
An immediate denture is made before the remaining teeth are removed and inserted around the time of extraction. This can avoid an initial period without teeth, but because the denture is made before the teeth are removed and the tissues have healed, aspects of its appearance, tooth position, and fit must be based partly on measurements, estimations, and assumptions about the final result. The gums and bone also change considerably as healing occurs. Adjustments, temporary liners, relines, or other modifications may be needed during this process, and in some cases replacing the immediate denture with a new denture after healing provides a better fit, function, or esthetic result. Immediate dentures are best understood as part of a treatment and healing process rather than a final result that remains unchanged after extraction.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Dental implants can improve the retention and stability of certain removable dentures. An implant-retained denture, often called an overdenture, snap-on denture, or snap-in denture, attaches to implants but is still removable by the patient. This can be particularly useful in the lower jaw, where conventional dentures may be harder to stabilize.
Implant-Supported and Full-Arch Options
Implant-supported restorations use implants to provide greater support. Fixed full-arch restorations may be described as All-on-4, All-on-X, fixed implant dentures, or full-arch implant bridges. These are different from traditional removable dentures and require more extensive surgical and restorative planning. Dr. Egan has training in implant surgery, bone grafting, implant restoration, and implant dentures.
Conventional Dentures vs. Implant Options
Neither is automatically right for everyone. Traditional dentures avoid implant surgery and can provide effective tooth replacement. Implants can improve retention or support but add surgery, healing, cost, components, and maintenance. We help patients compare what those differences mean for their goals and circumstances.
Fit, Adaptation and Maintenance
Dentures do not feel or function exactly like natural teeth, and most patients need time to adapt. Some movement can occur depending on anatomy, ridge shape, saliva, muscle control, bite, and denture fit. As the mouth changes over time, a denture may benefit from adjustment, relining, repair, or replacement.
How Long Do Dentures Last?
There is no predetermined lifespan. Dentures can function for many years, but both the prosthesis and the mouth supporting it change over time. As the gums and underlying bone change, a denture may become loose even though the denture itself is still in good condition. In these situations, a reline can sometimes improve the fit by adapting the inside of the denture to the current shape of the supporting tissues. We evaluate dentures based on fit, function, tooth wear, bite, supporting tissues, damage, appearance, and other clinical factors to determine whether adjustment, relining, repair, or replacement is appropriate rather than relying on an arbitrary age.
Are Snap-On Dentures the Same as Implant Dentures?
"Snap-on dentures" is a common patient term for removable implant-retained overdentures. Implant denture is broader and can refer to several removable or fixed implant restorations.
Can I Get Dentures the Same Day My Teeth Are Removed?
Sometimes. Immediate dentures require planning and time for fabrication prior to the extraction appointment. Additionally, while immediate dentures can be placed around the time of extraction, healing changes the gums and bone, so adjustments and relines are commonly needed afterward.
Why Is My Denture Loose?
Both upper and lower dentures can become loose over time as the gums and underlying bone change. Bone resorption after tooth loss, weight loss, changes in the supporting tissues, and normal changes that occur over time can all affect denture fit. Lower dentures can be especially challenging because they have less surface area for support and must function around the moving tongue, cheeks, and lips. Depending on the cause and condition of the denture, adjustment, relining, replacement, or dental implants may help improve fit and stability.
