When your teeth become severely damaged, decayed, or infected, your smile is not only incomplete but your health and comfort can be negatively impacted. While one or two missing teeth can be replaced by bridges or implants, many or all missing teeth will require the restoration of your smile.

At the Frederick Dental Group in Frederick, MD, Dr. Dave Verma and Dr. Arpana Verma can customize a solution for you. Dentures come in many types and there is often a fit that is right for you.

How do dentures work?

Dentures, available in full or partial sets, consist of a gum-colored base and artificial teeth. The base fits over the bone ridge and is held in place by suction. The artificial teeth attached to the base are sized, shaped, and tinted to look and perform like natural teeth, so you can resume the function of your bite.

What are the benefits of dentures?

Dentures are one of the more affordable replacements for missing teeth, costing less than dental implants. Dentures improve the appearance of your smile by filling in the gaps and spaces from missing teeth and are more natural-looking than you may have thought.

Dentures offer health benefits by allowing you to eat nutritious foods again. They support your facial structures, as multiple missing teeth can lead to the weakening of the jaw bone and significant changes in the structure of the face making the face appear older and collapsed.

How do you care for dentures?

Because dentures aren't permanent, you will need to remove them for sleeping and cleaning. Dentures should be brushed frequently and soaked overnight in water or a dental cleaning solution.

There may be an adjustment period to your dentures, as your mouth will need time to adjust to them. Once you are more accustomed to your dentures you should find them comfortable and secure-feeling.

What are the drawbacks of Dentures?

Dentures rely on adequate supporting bone to create the best fit and security of retention in the mouth. When there is diminished bone for support, dentures may be loose and move around during speech or chewing. Denture adhesive may be necessary to retain them. And, some patients have a gag reflex that may not allow the wearing of dentures. 

For these cases, implant-supported dentures may offer a solution that creates both stability and an esthetic result. Implant-supported dentures are locked in place over the implants and allow a more normal chewing experience than dentures alone. 

Whatever your need, there is a solution that we can assist you in determining. Our modern technology allows excellent diagnostic capability which assists in properly planning our cases. 

For more information or to set up a consultation, please call (301) 624-1001 and a team member will be happy to assist you.