Dentures
Custom Made To Replace Your Missing Teeth
Dentures are artificial replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth.
While dentures take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as your natural teeth, today's dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever.
Types Of Dentures
Full Dentures
With full dentures, a flesh-colored acrylic base fits over your gums which holds in high quality artificial teeth. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (the roof of your mouth), while that of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate your tongue.
Our dentures are custom-made to your specific requirements in a partner local laboratory where we can retain full control of quality and manufacture.
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Insisting on the very best of materials and techniques we ensure individual character within each denture so that they look realistic and feel great. These are not the mass produced and characterless dentures produced by so many dental practices today.
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By definition a full denture replaces all teeth. Such dentures, if made well, can function for many years with regular upkeep by you and your dental team.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture replaces some natural teeth. There are many types and offer a removable alternative to bridges.
In general, partial dentures fit into one of two categories, depending on the material of which they are made.
Plastic - These are dentures made of a plastic material termed acrylic. The plastic forms a plate which holds the new teeth in place. Such dentures may have metal clasps fitted to some of the remaining natural teeth to help hold in place or may simply stay in place due to suction.
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These types of dentures have many disadvantages including that of being quite uncomfortable and unhygienic to wear. As a result, at Herbrandston, we view these common forms of denture as temporary at best.
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Metal - The metal used in partial dentures is usually chrome cobalt. This is a very strong, light material which remains rigid even in quite thin sections. A metal denture usually only covers part of the gum area and can be quite complex in design.
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Metal dentures consist of thin straps of metal and clasps which fit very precisely to the natural teeth to hold the denture firmly in place.They are far more comfortable and more stable than their plastic counterparts: their design enabling patients to maintain a better standard of oral hygiene. They are more expensive than plastic dentures but they are stronger and last longer.
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When Can They Be Used?
Dentures, if constructed and designed well can provide for a very comfortable and good looking treatment option. Certainly if a patient has no teeth at all then full dentures can allow that person to eat, speak and look natural.
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A well made set of dentures can be made to look totally natural. Some patients even have gold crowns or fillings placed in the denture teeth to make them resemble more their natural teeth before they were removed. We can even recreate twisted, crooked or spacings between teeth depending on your preference. Certainly by comparing old photographs we can make dentures very much like the original: something many of our patients greatly appreciate.
How Are They Made?
The planning of all types of dentures starts with an impression being taken of your mouth. This gives us a model copy of the mouth upon which we design our denture. In the case of a partial denture as shown opposite, we plan where we are to place clasps to hold the denture onto the natural teeth. We also determine the shape the denture should be in order for strength, comfort and to support the artificial teeth.
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From this 'prescription' our dental laboratory staff makes the denture: the shape colour and position of the final teeth usually being approved by the patient before final construction.
The planning of all types of dentures starts with an impression being taken of your mouth. This gives us a model copy of the mouth upon which we design our denture. In the case of a partial denture as shown opposite, we plan where we are to place clasps to hold the denture onto the natural teeth. We also determine the shape the denture should be in order for strength, comfort and to support the artificial teeth.
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From this 'prescription' our dental laboratory staff makes the denture: the shape colour and position of the final teeth usually being approved by the patient before final construction.
Our Philosophy
Our Practice Philosophy has always been to give our patients the highest standard of care : to attend to their dental needs in a friendly and congenial atmosphere.
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We are highly rated by our patients and have won multiple awards for our caring and thoughtful approach to dentistry. We also routinely feature in Dental journals and national publications so you can be sure of the results you can expect with us.
Our Experience
Many of our dentists have additional qualifications above that of a general practitioner allowing a wide range of advanced treatments. Things like Dental Implants, Orthodontics and advanced Restorative Dentistry are all carried out within the practice.
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You can see more about our team here, along with their qualifications and experience.
