Losing teeth can affect much more than the appearance of your smile. Gaps can make certain foods harder to enjoy, change the way you pronounce words, and leave you feeling less comfortable smiling or talking with others. When several or all of your teeth are missing, dentures can help rebuild a smile that looks complete and functions more comfortably.
Meadow Creek Family Dentistry provides dentures for patients from Boiling Springs, Inman, and surrounding Upstate South Carolina communities. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we'll look at what you can comfortably do with your smile today, what you'd like to improve, and which tooth replacement approach makes sense for your oral health.
The right way to replace missing teeth depends on what's still healthy in your mouth and what you want from your new smile.
If you still have strong natural teeth, a partial denture can fill multiple gaps while allowing you to keep your healthy teeth. If all of the teeth in your upper or lower arch are missing, or the remaining teeth can't be saved, a complete denture can restore the full row.
For patients looking for additional stability, dentures can also be supported by dental implants. Implants help secure the restoration and may reduce the movement associated with traditional removable dentures.
You don't need to know which type is right for you before your appointment. We'll evaluate your teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health before discussing the options that fit your needs.
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Every denture is customized for the individual patient. If you have remaining teeth, we'll first determine whether they can be preserved or whether treatments such as tooth extraction are necessary before your denture is made.
Once you receive your new teeth, it may take some time for your mouth to adjust. Eating and speaking can feel different at first as your cheeks and tongue become accustomed to the restoration. Starting with easier-to-chew foods and gradually returning to your normal diet can help with the transition.
Some initial adjustment is normal, but ongoing pain or excessive movement shouldn't simply be ignored. If your denture creates persistent sore spots, slips frequently, or makes chewing difficult, let us know so we can evaluate the fit.
Depending on how many teeth you're missing and where they're located, dentures may be one of several options available to you. A dental bridge, individual dental implants, or an implant-supported restoration may also be considered.
We'll look at the health of your remaining teeth and gums, your treatment goals, maintenance preferences, and budget to help you understand the differences between your options.
We offer three different options for dentures:
Dentures offer many benefits to patients who are missing several teeth. Dentures help restore confidence for patients who find themselves self-conscious about eating, talking, and smiling around other people. Dentures also:
Dentures are an investment for many patients, but they are a great choice for restoring your smile and oral health. Receiving dentures can help keep the jawbone healthy and take the pressure off of any remaining teeth. Our office accepts many different payment methods including insurance, FSAs and HSAs, and CareCredit®, and we offer an in-house dental savers plan as well. For more information, please reach out to our team or visit our financial page.
Not necessarily, but a partial denture may be an option. Depending on the location of the missing teeth and the health of the surrounding teeth, we may also discuss a dental bridge or dental implants.
Yes. Partial dentures are designed for patients who still have healthy natural teeth. When appropriate, we want to preserve healthy teeth and design your restoration around them.
If some teeth can't be saved, extractions may be incorporated into your overall treatment plan. We'll explain the sequence of treatment, what to expect during healing, and when your denture can be placed based on your individual situation.
Every patient adjusts differently. Eating and speaking may feel unfamiliar at first, but your mouth generally becomes more accustomed to the denture with time and practice. If discomfort or difficulty continues, we can check whether the denture needs an adjustment.
Dentures can restore much of your ability to chew, although they won't feel exactly like natural teeth. It can help to begin with softer foods and smaller bites before gradually adding more foods as you become comfortable.
Your gums and jawbone can gradually change after teeth are lost. Because the denture itself doesn't change along with your mouth, these changes can eventually affect its fit.
Depending on the denture's age and condition, an adjustment, reline, or replacement may be recommended.
Implant-supported dentures use dental implants for additional support and stability. They may be an option for patients who want to reduce the movement that can occur with traditional dentures.
We'll need to evaluate your oral health and bone structure to determine whether implants are appropriate for you.
Some people use denture adhesive for additional security, but it shouldn't be used to compensate for a poorly fitting denture. If your denture has become noticeably loose or requires increasing amounts of adhesive, schedule an evaluation.
Clean removable dentures every day using products intended for denture care. Some conventional toothpastes can be too abrasive for denture materials. You should also continue cleaning your gums, tongue, and any natural teeth.
Removable dentures generally need to be taken out regularly to give the tissues underneath them a chance to rest. We'll provide specific instructions for wearing, cleaning, and storing your particular denture.
Yes. Routine exams allow us to check your gums and other oral tissues, evaluate your denture's fit and condition, and identify changes that may affect your oral health or comfort.
There's no single replacement schedule for every patient. Normal wear and changes in your mouth can both affect how long a denture remains comfortable and functional.
If your denture becomes loose, uncomfortable, damaged, or difficult to use, it's a good idea to have it evaluated.
Sometimes. Whether repair is possible depends on the location and extent of the damage. Avoid trying to repair a denture with household glue, which can damage the restoration and make professional repair more difficult.
Your mouth continues to change after tooth loss, which means a denture that once fit comfortably may eventually begin to feel loose or cause irritation. Regular dental visits allow us to monitor these changes as well as the health of your gums, remaining teeth, and other oral tissues.
Whether you're considering dentures for the first time or having trouble with a denture you already wear, our team can help you determine the appropriate next step.