Dentures at LaPointe Family Dentistry

At LaPointe Family Dentistry, Dr. LaPointe understands that tooth loss can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting everything from your ability to eat and speak comfortably to your confidence in social situations. Dentures offer a time-tested, effective solution for replacing missing teeth and restoring both function and your beautiful smile.

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What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They consist of artificial teeth attached to a gum-colored base made from acrylic resin or other biocompatible materials. Modern dentures are carefully crafted to look natural and provide comfortable, functional tooth replacement.

Dr. LaPointe and our team at LaPointe Family Dentistry work closely with skilled dental laboratories to create custom dentures that fit your mouth precisely and match your facial structure and personal preferences. Today's dentures are more comfortable, natural-looking, and functional than ever before.

How Dentures Work

Dentures rely on suction, adhesion, and the natural contours of your mouth to stay in place. Upper dentures typically have better retention due to the larger surface area of the upper palate, while lower dentures can be more challenging to fit due to tongue movement and the smaller ridge area. However, with proper fitting and adjustment, most patients adapt well to their dentures.

Factors Dr. LaPointe Considers

During your consultation at LaPointe Family Dentistry, Dr. LaPointe will evaluate several factors to determine if dentures are right for you, including the health of your remaining teeth and gums, your jawbone density and structure, your overall health and medications, your lifestyle and expectations, and your budget and treatment preferences.

Are Dentures Right for You?

Dr. LaPointe will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine if dentures are the best solution for your specific situation. Dentures may be recommended if you experience:

Extensive Tooth Loss
If you're missing most or all of your teeth in one or both arches, dentures can restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently. Even if you have some remaining teeth, they may need to be extracted if they're severely damaged or compromised.

Significant Oral Health Issues
Patients with advanced gum disease, extensive decay, or other conditions that make saving natural teeth difficult may benefit from dentures. Sometimes, removing problematic teeth and replacing them with dentures provides better long-term oral health outcomes.

Functional Difficulties
If missing teeth make it difficult to chew food properly, speak clearly, or if you're experiencing digestive issues related to inadequate chewing, dentures can restore these essential functions.

Aesthetic Concerns
Missing teeth can cause facial collapse, making you appear older and affecting your self-confidence. Dentures provide support for your facial muscles and can help restore a more youthful appearance.

Economic Considerations
For patients who need multiple tooth replacements, dentures often provide a more economical solution compared to individual dental implants or bridges, while still offering significant improvements in function and appearance.

Types of Dentures Available

Partial Dentures

Removable Partial Dentures: These replace several missing teeth when you still have healthy natural teeth remaining. They consist of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored base, connected by a metal or acrylic framework that clasps onto your natural teeth.

Implant-supported dentures

Implant-Supported Complete Dentures: These dentures are anchored by dental implants placed in the jawbone, providing superior stability and retention. They can be removable or fixed permanently in place.

Implant-Supported Partial Dentures: For patients missing several teeth, implant-supported partials provide excellent stability without relying on clasps around natural teeth.

Specialty Denture Options

Overdentures: These fit over a small number of remaining natural teeth or dental implants, providing additional support and stability while preserving some natural tooth structure.

Important note:

While not all types of dentures listed above are fabricated at LaPointe Family Dentistry, Dr. LaPointe will thoroughly discuss all available options with you and help guide you toward the best treatment choice for your specific needs, budget, and lifestyle. We work with trusted dental laboratories and specialists to ensure you receive the highest quality care, regardless of which option is best for you.

Benefits of Choosing Dentures

Dentures offer numerous advantages for patients dealing with tooth loss:

Restored Function: Dentures allow you to eat a wide variety of foods and speak clearly, improving your nutrition and communication.

Enhanced Appearance: Modern dentures are designed to look natural and can actually improve your facial appearance by providing support for your cheeks and lips.

Improved Confidence: With a complete, attractive smile, many patients experience a significant boost in self-confidence and willingness to engage socially.

Oral Health Benefits: Dentures can help maintain your facial structure and may prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of position.

Cost-Effective Solution: Compared to multiple individual tooth replacements, dentures often provide an economical way to restore your smile.

Immediate Results: Especially with immediate dentures, you can have a restored smile right away rather than waiting months for other treatments.

The Denture Process at LaPointe Family Dentistry

Getting dentures is a step-by-step process that Dr. LaPointe carefully manages to ensure the best possible outcome:

Initial Consultation and Examination
Dr. LaPointe will examine your mouth, take X-rays, and discuss your needs, expectations, and treatment options. We'll also review your medical history and any medications that might affect treatment.

Treatment Planning
Based on your examination, Dr. LaPointe will develop a personalized treatment plan. This may include extractions, tissue conditioning, or other preparatory procedures before denture fabrication begins.

Impressions and Measurements
We'll take detailed impressions of your mouth and precise measurements to ensure your dentures fit properly and look natural. Multiple appointments may be needed to achieve the perfect fit.

Try-In Appointments
Before your final dentures are completed, you'll have try-in appointments where Dr. LaPointe will check the fit, appearance, and bite of your dentures, making any necessary adjustments.

Final Delivery and Adjustments
When your dentures are ready, Dr. LaPointe will ensure they fit comfortably and provide instructions on care and use. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to make any needed adjustments as you adapt to your new dentures.

Caring for Your Dentures

Proper care will help your dentures last longer and keep your mouth healthy:

Daily Cleaning: Remove and rinse your dentures after eating, and brush them daily with a soft-bristled brush and denture cleanser. Never use regular toothpaste, which can be too abrasive.

Overnight Soaking: Most dentures should be kept moist when not being worn. Soak them overnight in water or denture cleaning solution as recommended by Dr. LaPointe.

Oral Hygiene: Even with complete dentures, clean your gums, tongue, and palate daily with a soft brush or gauze to remove bacteria and stimulate circulation.

Regular Checkups: Visit LaPointe Family Dentistry regularly so Dr. LaPointe can check the fit of your dentures and examine your oral tissues for any problems.

Handle with Care: Dentures can break if dropped, so always handle them over a folded towel or basin of water.

What to Expect When Adjusting to Dentures

Getting used to dentures takes time and patience. Dr. LaPointe will prepare you for the adjustment period and provide guidance to help you adapt more quickly:

Initial Discomfort: Some initial soreness and increased saliva production are normal. These symptoms typically improve within a few days to weeks.

Eating Adjustments: Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, and gradually introduce more challenging foods as you become comfortable.

Speaking Changes: Your speech may be affected initially. Practice reading aloud and speaking slowly until your tongue and muscles adapt.

Follow-Up Care: Dr. LaPointe will schedule follow-up appointments to make adjustments and ensure your comfort during the adaptation period.

Is There an Age Limit for Dentures?

There's no specific age limit for dentures. Dr. LaPointe has successfully provided dentures for patients ranging from young adults who have experienced tooth loss due to injury or genetics, to seniors dealing with age-related dental issues. The key factors are your overall oral and general health, not your age.

Contact LaPointe Family Dentistry today to schedule your denture consultation. We're committed to helping you achieve a comfortable, functional, and beautiful smile that you can be proud of for years to come.

During your consultation, Dr. LaPointe will examine your mouth, discuss your lifestyle and preferences, and explain all available options in detail. We'll work together to create a treatment plan that restores your smile, your confidence, and your ability to enjoy life to the fullest.

During your consultation, Dr. LaPointe will thoroughly evaluate your situation, explain your options in detail, and work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.

If you're dealing with tooth loss or have been told you need multiple extractions, don't let it impact your quality of life any longer. Dr. LaPointe and our caring team at LaPointe Family Dentistry are here to help you explore your options and find the best solution for your needs.

Accepting new patients! Most dental insurance plans accepted.

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