Partial Dentures with Acrylic Base

Partial Dentures with acrylic base replace one or more teeth temporarily, until another form of treatment (bridge or implants) can be made or decided upon. Such a denture can be placed immediately or soon after a tooth is extracted. Acrylic Partials/Flippers may have a small wire clasps as needed for retention that also clasp to the natural teeth. Acrylic Partial Dentures have normally been used as emergency or temporary replacements of missing teeth, allowing the gums and bone to heal before a definitive restorative solution is obtained. Its primary purpose is cosmetic. Acrylic Partials don’t work as well as fixed bridges work, but they are a good alternative and are much less expensive. It is not intended to be used for chewing, because it can break easily. In the future, this appliance needs to be replaced by a non-temporary partial.

Manufacturing of Acrylic Partials generally takes three following dental visits:

1. Taking Impressions
2. Bite Registrations
3. Denture Insertion (Delivery)

IMPORTANT: For our patients who are wearing existing dentures, please do not use Fixodent or any adhesive on your dentures the day you come in for your appointments at J.A. Denture Clinic LLC in Lynnwood.

Full/Complete (Conventional) Dentures

Full/Complete (Conventional) Dentures replace all of the natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or both if needed, sitting on the soft (gum) tissue of the mouth that covers the bone ridge. Your denturist may use several different procedures to make sure your denture will fit the shape of your mouth, and provide the necessary support for your cheeks and lips and giving a nice smile. Without support from the denture, facial muscles can sag, making a person appear older. The design of the complete denture and position of the teeth will restore good speech and appearance.

Full/Complete (Conventional) Dentures are ready for placement in the mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed. This allows the tissues to heal from the extractions so that the denture will fit accurately and the tissue underneath the denture is no longer healing and changing shape. However, some dentists may recommend more time before placing a conventional denture.

Complete Dentures are made of a plastic (acrylic) base that is colored in order to replicate gum tissue and supports a full set of plastic teeth.

When possible it is advisable to avoid complete dentures. It is important to remember that there are no teeth to help to retain the complete denture, and, therefore, retention can be a challenge, especially in the lower jaw (mandible). Retention and adapting to new dentures may be even more challenging when significant ridge resorption, or shrinkage, has taken place. In addition, when a patient has "dry mouth", denture retention is also greatly affected. However, many people can tolerate and even function well with a well-made denture.

A period of adapting to new dentures must be anticipated. This includes learning to wear, eat and speak with the teeth.

Manufacturing of Full/Complete Dentures generally takes consultations and 5 following dental visits:

Your first appointment is a free of charge consultation. This is your time to sit and get acquainted with your denturist and discuss any questions or concerns you might have. If you decide to go ahead with the denture, we will take impressions of your mouth for your new denture. These impressions will be the fit of your top denture to the roof of your mouth and the fit of your lower denture to the bottom of your mouth. From these impressions we make models of your mouth in order to prepare for step two. On these models we will fabricate custom trays. Custom Trays are individualized trays for making final impressions. This appointment will last approximately 45 minutes. 2.

Your second appointment is involved in taking the Final Impressions. Custom tray design can provide dimensional accuracy and stability by providing a uniform thickness of material throughout the tray. The use of custom fabricated trays with elastomeric impression materials can improve the accuracy of the Master Model. An accurate Final Impression is one of the primary determinants for a precise fitting indirect restoration. Purpose of a Custom Tray is minimizing the tissue distortion, such as: improve retention (border molded), provide enough room for frenal attachments, provide enough room through hamular notches across vibrating line. The Final Impressions with custom trays provide more accurate Master Model. This appointment will last approximately 30 minutes.

The third appointment often referred to as “the Bite” or Occlusal Registration stage. Properly contoured wax rims are used as aid in developing proper contour of the lips and cheeks, developing the plane of occlusion and determining the proper position of the incisal edges of the maxillary anterior teeth. During this step we will place the wax rims in your mouth and obtain measurements for the fit of your top denture to your bottom denture (or natural teeth). This step is important so you can chew properly! We involve you in the decisions regarding the size, shape and color of your new teeth. It is important to give us an idea of what you want the appearance of your smile to be. It is recommended to bring a picture of you with your natural teeth. This appointment will last approximately 45 minutes.

The fourth appointment is one of the most important for you to be an active part of. We will set up your new teeth in wax, which will enable you to see them while they can still be changed. This is what we call the try-in appointment. This is the time for you to view the size, shape, color and general appearance of your new smile. It also allows us to check the balance of your new denture(s) and make changes if necessary. If you have a best friend or spouse who will be looking at your smile a lot and who will be full of opinions when you go home with your new dentures, bring them with you! At this time, you can let us know if there are any changes you would like us to make to your denture. This is important to help us obtain the smile you desire. By letting us know what you would like your smile to look like, we can do our best to create it for you. This appointment normally lasts about 30 minutes.

Your fifth appointment calling Denture Insertion (Delivery). This is the day you go home with your new smile! Just remember that this is the beginning, not the end. Many people have been wearing the same set of dentures for more than 5 years, some often more than 20 years. It takes time to become accustomed to eating with your new teeth and patience is a virtue. We are here to help you and encourage you to call if there are any problems or questions that arise.

Extraoral examination of the finished denture: a) Examination of impression surface, b) Evaluation of denture borders, c) Evaluation of polished surface.

Intraoral examination of the finished denture: a) Location & relief of pressure areas in denture base, b) Identification & reduction of overextended borders, c) Evaluation of retention & stability, d) Evaluation of esthetics & facial contours, e) Refinement of occlusion. This appointment generally takes about 30 minutes.

The post insert appointment allows the denturist to check the status of your mouth and verify how you have adapted to your new dentures over the last week. We are here to help you and encourage you to call if there are any other problems or questions that arise. Follow-up adjustments are always at no charge if they are needed, as is guidance and help.

IMPORTANT: For our patients who are wearing existing dentures, please do not use Fixodent or any adhesive on your dentures the day you come in for your appointments at J.A. Denture Clinic LLC in Lynnwood.

Night Guards

If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches, sore facial muscles, headaches, or if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you may have a common condition called “bruxism”. Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth, as it often occurs when one is sleeping. Bruxism can lead to potential loss of tooth enamel, cracked teeth, broken teeth, cracked/broken porcelain, cercon crowns and bridges, or even tooth loss.

Occasional grinding and clenching can be related to stress and may come and go, and it usually becomes a constant habit. Habitual, long term bruxism can lead to serious damage to jaw joints.

There is an easy, non-invasive treatment for bruxism - Night Guards. Night Guards are an easy way to prevent the wear and damage that causes teeth-grinding over time. It is custom-made by your denturist from soft or hard, or combination of soft and hard material to fit your teeth. A Night Guard is inserted over your top or bottom arch and prevents contact with the opposing teeth. The night guard should be used regularly for the best results possible.

J.A. Denture Clinic LLC provides custom night guards which cushion between the upper and lower teeth to protect from the effects of bruxism. Additionally, J.A. Denture Clinic LLC gives customers the option of selecting between three different night guards, based on the severity of teeth grinding.

• Hybrid Night Guard - Moderate Grinding
• Hard Night Guard - Heavy Grinding
• Ultra Thin Guard - Day Time Grinding
• Soft Night Guard – Sensitive Gum or Teeth

Bleaching Trays

Getting a brighter, whiter smile at home has never been easier. If you avoid smiling because your teeth aren't as white as they could be, you do have a safe, popular and simple option to improve your smile which is a bleaching procedure at home that uses professional custom Whitening (Bleaching) Trays.

Why Custom Trays?

For the most effective and safest whitening treatment, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry recommends using professional custom-fitted mouth trays made by your dentist /denturist. Tooth-whitening gel can leak out of ill-fitting trays causing irritation to your gums, as well as not whitening as efficiently as custom trays. With trays that specifically fit your mouth and bite, you can avoid these problems.

Side Effects

Bleaching your teeth is an easy, painless procedure that is safe for your teeth. Occasionally, patients do notice some tooth sensitivity to cold during the course of at-home whitening. Within one to three days after completing the whitening process, however, your sensitivity usually disappears and you'll be back to eating ice cream. If any sensitivity persists, check with your dentist to rule out any other dental problems.

Important:

• Don’t overfill the Bleaching Tray with tooth-whitening gel.

The trays are then worn for a prescribed period of time by your dentist (often multiple hours per day, or else overnight), for a series of days or weeks, as the effects of the whitening process gradually take place.