Missing teeth pose a number of unfortunate oral health and overall health problems. Replacing lost teeth with dentures in Fort Myers, FL gives patients more oral function and a better, fuller smile. Our natural-looking dentures give patients:
It’s vital for patients to replace missing teeth. Dr. Hoop and his team will walk you through all of your tooth replacement options.
Dr. Hoop uses lifelike materials to restore your smile. Dentures can be used to replace single or entire arches of missing teeth. Removable dentures rely on clasps or adhesives to stay in the mouth, and our dental office is using state-of-the-art technology to design high-strength restorations. Some of our denture solutions include:
Removable dentures can slide around the mouth and make it difficult to enjoy your favorite foods. Some denture wearers even develop sores from their dentures. Dr. Hoop can place dental implants, a procedure he’s offered for nearly 30 years, to secure your replacement teeth and drastically improve your biting force. In fact, dental implants nearly match the strength of natural teeth.
Here are a few other benefits of dental implants:
Patients are in good hands with Dr. Hoop, who has trained in the latest techniques of implant placement at the world’s most prestigious institutes. As part of our implant services, Dr. Hoop also places immediate-load implants and Fountain of Youth™ dentures. This means we can restore teeth in one day with options like TeethXpress, Smile-in-a-Day, and All-on-4®!
While you’ve likely heard of dentures, you may not know how they’re made. That’s a common situation – plenty of people don’t grasp what went into their replacement teeth. Still, you’d do well to learn about the denture creation process before treatment; you’ll respect its results that way. The good news is that Total Denture Solutions is here to explain the details. For more information, simply keep reading or book your consultation today!
Whether it’s a partial or full type, every denture has two key parts: a base and artificial teeth. These components form most of the overall prosthetic, so you should keep them in mind. Consider them below:
Every denture is custom-made for its patient, so making one requires a multi-step process. The steps involved include:
Admittedly, your mouth could feel slightly sore as you adjust to your new dentures. That’s normal – you’ll need time to get used to them and how they work. Rest assured that the dentures will feel more familiar as you rely on them more.
Having said that, you can speed up the adjustment. An especially good method is to exercise your facial muscles so they can handle dentures better. On the other hand, you could also eat soft foods (to avoid irritation) or use special adhesives (to enhance security). Such approaches would quickly help your dentures feel more natural to you.
If your denture pain persists long, don’t hesitate to call our office. We’ll gladly make alterations so they don't make your mouth ache.
No matter how many teeth you’re missing, dentures can be a great way to regain a complete, beautiful smile. Our team has seen plenty of cases of tooth loss over the years, and we’re more than happy to help you determine whether dentures are the best choice for you. Feel free to schedule a consultation with us if you are interested in getting dentures to reclaim a full set of teeth.
There are a number of circumstances that can cause you to lose permanent teeth. For example, gum disease could damage the tissues holding the teeth in place and cause them to come loose. Alternatively, if a tooth is decayed to the point where it can no longer be repaired, it will have to be removed. It’s also possible to lose teeth in an accident due to physical trauma.
The empty space left by missing teeth can take a toll on your confidence and make you more reluctant to show off your smile. On top of that, a lack of teeth can make eating more difficult, and you may not be able to speak very clearly.
You are most likely a candidate for dentures if you have lost multiple teeth or all of the teeth in one or both arches. That said, we do need to examine your mouth before we can begin the process of designing a prosthesis for you. We must confirm that there’s enough bone in your jaw for dentures and that your gums are currently in good health.
Remember that while dentures are very durable and can potentially last a long time, their lifespans do depend on the maintenance that they receive. Thus, if you are planning on getting dentures, you need to be able to take care of the prosthesis in order to keep it in good condition for as long as possible.
One last thing to keep in mind while your candidacy for dentures is being considered is that you can potentially qualify for either a partial denture or a full denture depending on how many teeth have been lost. On top of that, dentures can sometimes be anchored to dental implants. We’ll let you know which type of denture is the right choice for you based on your circumstances.
If it turns out that dentures aren’t the best choice for you, it may still be possible to rebuild your smile with one of these alternative treatments:
There are all sorts of benefits you can expect by opting for dentures. Here are some of the most prominent:
It is especially difficult to eat a full, nutritious diet when you are missing teeth. Dentures can open up your dietary options by allowing you to thoroughly chew your food with ease.
Dentures can be removed and put back in by the patient. Many find the freedom of being able to take them out for thorough cleanings and sleeping beneficial.
Dentures provide support for your facial muscles, therefore preventing unsightly side effects of tooth loss, like sunken cheeks and wrinkled lips. Partial dentures are also able to prevent dental drift by filling in those empty gaps in your smile and keeping your remaining natural teeth in their places.
Modern dentures are made from lightweight materials, and they are entirely personalized for comfortable and lifelike results. You don’t need to worry about your restoration being obvious to other people. Ultimately, you can show off your smile with confidence again!
Dentures have a much lower upfront cost than other tooth replacement options, like dental implants. This way, you can restore your smile without worrying about the bill.
Implant dentures have a higher upfront cost than traditional dentures, but there is a good reason for it. Instead of being supported by the shape and suction of the gum tissue, implant dentures are held into place by a series of dental implants that are placed into the jawbone via a surgical procedure. This allows for many additional benefits, like being more lifelike and having additional stability. You don’t need to replace them every 5 to 7 years either. Dental implants are made to last for several decades. For many patients, their long-term benefits and the quality of life they provide are well worth the investment!
Are you ready to get your full smile back? If so, then dentures are one of the simplest ways to do that. Still, you might have a few concerns about this treatment. Don’t worry – Dr. Hoop will be sure to answer your questions during your appointment. In the meantime, though, it may help to read the answers to some of the denture questions that our team members here at Total Dental Solutions get asked the most often.
Tooth loss usually qualifies you for dentures, but the only way to accurately determine which type of denture is suitable for your smile is by having us closely inspect your situation. That said, there are primarily three different types of dentures: partial dentures, full dentures, and implant dentures. Partials are preferable for patients who still have most of their teeth but only need a few replaced. Full dentures are recommended if you’ve lost all of your teeth, or if you don’t have enough natural teeth remaining that are worth salvaging. And implant dentures rely on posts that are surgically embedded into your jawbone to support the new prosthetics. In some cases, temporary dentures are also an option for patients who are awaiting the their long-term restoration.
When you lose your teeth, your facial muscles will begin to sag, which in turn gives your face a sunken and somewhat gaunt appearance. But getting dentures means you’re providing support to those muscles that have collapsed, thus improving your appearance. It’s worth noting that ill-fitting dentures may not give your facial muscles the proper support, so it’s important to ensure that your restoration fits perfectly inside your mouth. You should have a denture refitted or replaced as soon as you realize it doesn’t fit quite right.
Sticky foods like peanut butter, caramel, and certain types of candy can pull your dentures out of place, making chewing difficult but also allowing food particles to become trapped under the dentures and irritating your gums. Some foods also contain small pieces that dentures cannot chew such as popcorn, shelled nuts, and even the seeds on certain types of bread. Tough meats like steak and pork chops also require an excessive amount of chewing, which can put a lot of stress on your dentures and gums.
It’s not uncommon to experience some discomfort after receiving your dentures if you needed teeth extracted beforehand, but this can easily be addressed by taking your prescribed and over-the-counter pain medication as directed. Since your body needs to go through an adjustment period after getting dentures, you might also experience some minor soreness that lasts for a few weeks, though this varies from patient to patient. If this pain continues to persist, you should contact us as soon as possible—the dentures might not have been fitted properly, or there might be an underlying oral health issue that needs to be treated!