Dentures in

Flagstaff Downtown Dental – Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

What Is a Denture?

A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips

Denture Types

Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways. Immediate or conventional dentures:

A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.

  • An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture. Immediate dentures require a reline as soon as healing from extractions is complete.
  • An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
  • A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.
  • Removable Partial Dentures are made when multiple teeth are missing but some good conditioned teeth are still present. Partial dentures stay in better than full dentures and leaving some natural teeth helps to maintain bone structure.

The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination thereof. Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically treated teeth and a complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.

Denture Maintenance

Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.

Our dental office is skilled at Removable Partial Dentures but is no longer making or relining full dentures.  For a referral to a Flagstaff dental office that will make you the best full denture in Northern Arizona, call us at Flagstaff Downtown Dental Phone Number 928-774-1168