Dentures – Concord, NH
A New, Complete, Fully Customized Smile
Tooth loss, whether caused by poor oral hygiene or facial trauma, can have devastating effects on your oral and overall health. However, dentures in Concord remain one of the most popular solutions for individuals living without a full smile. At Charm Smile Dental, our dentists can change your appearance and confidence level with the help of customized full and partial dentures. Using advanced technology and high-quality materials, we can deliver lifelike tooth replacements that not only improve your physical appearance but also your mental well-being. If you are ready to discuss your options for filling in the gaps in your smile, call to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today.
Why Choose Charm Smile Dental for Dentures?
- We Welcome Your PPO Dental Insurance Plan
- More Accurate Dental Impressions Using Digital Technology
- Dentists with Decades of Experience & Training
Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Choosing dentures to replace missing teeth is a worthwhile and reliable option for most patients. However, the only way to know for sure if you are a candidate is to meet with Dr. Homsi or one of our other esteemed professionals.
During your initial consultation, we will survey the state of your smile and determine if your oral health is in good enough shape to receive custom dentures. If any existing decay or gum disease exists, we will need to address these issues first. We will then discuss the type of denture you will need based on the number of teeth you are missing.
Types of Dentures?
Charm Smile Dental is pleased to provide three options for you to choose from when discussing dentures with our team: partial, full, or implant. Your initial consultation will include going over the different types and determining which one will be best for your smile.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture is used to replace multiple teeth along an arch that may or may not be seated next to one another. It consists of an acrylic base that matches the natural color of your gums and supports artificial teeth that fill in the spaces along the lower or upper row. The entire prosthetic includes a metal framework with clasps that attach to natural teeth for secure placement.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are made similarly to partial ones; however, they do not contain a metal framework. As prosthetics that are designed to replace an entire row of missing teeth, they remain firmly in place with the help of natural suction and denture adhesive. Once we achieve a snug fit, you can expect to enjoy a stronger bite force and clearer speech.
Implant Dentures
A more permanent option for tooth replacement is implant dentures. Instead of using natural suction, metal clasps, or adhesive to hold them in place, these artificial teeth are attached to titanium posts that sit below the gumline and fuse with your jawbone. They serve as the foundational support for your new denture, which will be affixed on top to deliver a longer-lasting smile.
How Dentures Are Made
For some patients, knowing exactly how their dentures are made in Concord is exciting or interesting. Others love to be educated about their prosthetics because it helps them to appreciate their new smile so much more. Whatever your reason for being curious about the denture-making process, you’ll find everything you need to know below. You’ll see that, from start to finish, your new smile is handled with care and crafted from quality materials by highly knowledgeable technicians.
What Are Dentures Made Of?
Every denture has two main components: the base and the teeth. The base is fabricated to look like natural gum tissue and is typically made from an acrylic resin. The artificial teeth are sometimes made from acrylic as well, though porcelain is seen as the gold standard because of its superior durability and lifelike appearance.
Partial dentures also have a metal framework, usually made from a corrosion-resistant cobalt-chrome alloy. This is used to provide structure and connect the partial to your remaining natural teeth.
The Denture Creation Process
You might be surprised to learn that there’s no “denture store” where we can pick up prosthetics fully-formed. Instead, each denture is custom-made through a precise, multi-step process that involves both our dentists in Concord and skilled lab technicians:
- Impressions: Our team uses our digital impression system to capture detailed, accurate images of your mouth—no messy traditional putty required!
- Bite Registration: Next, we record how your upper and lower jaws come together to ensure your denture fits your bite comfortably.
- 3D Printed Model: Using your digital scans, we 3D print a precise physical model of your mouth right here in our Concord office. You’ll try this model on, and we’ll make adjustments and notes for the next phase.
- Base Fabrication: When the model is approved, we’ll send it to a trusted dental lab. There, they’ll recreate the model using a cured acrylic resin, shaping and polishing it to create a smooth, natural-looking gum base.
- Tooth Setting: The individual artificial teeth are carefully positioned and bonded into the base using a device called an articulator.
- Final Delivery: Finally, the finished denture makes its way to our office. After you try it on and adjustments are made, you’ll be able to walk out with your new smile.
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
Getting dentures can be life-changing, but there is a natural adjustment period that typically lasts anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. During this time, your mouth is adapting to your prosthetic.
It's completely normal to experience some mild slippage, soreness, or changes in your speech. However, these issues won’t last long. The key is patience and practice. The more you use your dentures, the faster your mouth will adapt.
If you’re ever concerned about your progress, let our team at Charm Smile Dental know. We’ll examine your denture and ensure your adjustment process goes smoothly.
The Benefits of Dentures
While dentures can give you a full, natural-looking appearance, they also provide other unique benefits, such as:
- Improved bite force
- Teeth that are easy to maintain
- A more youthful appearance because of how they fill out your facial shape
- Clearer speech
- Boosted confidence
- The ability to eat all types of food
- Teeth that can last 7-10 years (full and partial dentures) or 30+ years (implant dentures)
Dentures FAQs
How Long Will You Have to Wait to Get Dentures After Your Teeth Are Pulled?
The average wait time between tooth extractions and the creation of a permanent denture is usually 6 – 8 weeks. This allows times for your gums to heal, meaning that your denture can be created to fit the unique contours of your mouth.
However, some people choose to get an immediate denture, which is fabricated before tooth extractions and ready for use right afterward. Immediate dentures need more frequent adjustments than their traditional counterparts and do not last as long.
If you are getting implant dentures, the wait time can vary. Often, at least 3 – 6 months is required for the implants to bond with the jawbone before they can support a denture.
What Should You Do if Your Dentures Break?
If your denture breaks, do not try to repair it yourself with superglue or other household items. You might accidentally worsen the damage or harm your oral tissues.
Instead, give us a call. We can perform some minor repairs in-house. Otherwise, we may have to send your denture to a laboratory or even replace it with an entirely new one.
Are Denture Adhesives Safe?
Denture adhesives are generally safe and well-tolerated by most patients. However, keep in mind that many adhesives contain zinc, which may cause problems if you ingest too much of it. Therefore, it is important to follow instructions on the adhesive’s package and be careful not to apply too much. You should also diligently clean your denture at the end of each day to get rid of any adhesive residue that might be clinging to it.
If you begin to have a bad reaction to your adhesive, stop using it right away. You may need to switch to a different product that is free of ingredients that you are sensitive to.
Can Dentures Become Ill-Fitting?
Yes, it is normal for dentures to become ill-fitting after some time.
This happens because, after the removal of your natural teeth, a process called resorption begins. Essentially, this means your body is breaking down your jawbone because it is no longer receiving stimulation from your tooth roots. It will shrink and change shape. Eventually, it will change so much that your dentures no longer fit well.
A service known as relining can help. Our Concord team, or a dental lab, can add material to the base of your denture so it fits securely again. Eventually, though (usually after 5 – 7 years), you will have to replace your denture.
Can I Reline My Dentures Myself?
DIY denture reline kits are readily available online. However, we strongly advise against their use. If you make mistakes during the relining process, you could end up worsening the fit of your dentures. This can lead to oral pain and irritation, an uneven bite, and unappealing aesthetics. You may even have to replace your denture long before you expected. It is best to leave relining to the professionals!