Missing All Upper and Lower Teeth

Traditional dentures are crafted from resins, acrylics and possibly porcelain and are designed to fit snugly against the jaws and gums. The upper plate will fit closely to the gums and the palate. The lower plate will rest on the gums and bone. When the fit is accurate and enough bone is present, no dental adhesive will be needed. 

As a person continues to wear dentures, they may experience bone loss because there is little stimulus received by the upper and lower jaw bones. Lack of biting or chewing stimulation means that this bone will gradually shrink. As it does, the dentures will loosen. A patient may solve this problem for a little while by using an adhesive. The denture can also be relined to change the fit so it is more secure. 

Every several years, a new set of dentures will need to be manufactured as they can get worn down past the point of repair. 

If you have opted for traditional dentures, the process will involve several steps. 

1. A thorough examination will look for any infection or signs of health problems in the mouth. Because there are no teeth when a person needs a full set of teeth, the examination will look at the health of the gums, upper and lower jaw bone and surrounding structures. Any problems here must be resolved before dentures can be made.
2. Your dentist will discuss with you how you want your dentures to look. You will agree on shape, color and more.
3. An impression will be taken of your gums and mouth. Careful attention will be paid to how far the jaw should close when the teeth are together to ensure that the temporomandibular joint is in the proper position. 
4. The dentures will be manufactured at a trusted dental lab. 
5. The dentures will be tried out to ensure they fit comfortably. Any needed adjustments will be made. The patient will be instructed on the proper care and maintenance for the dentures. 
6. The patient will wear the dentures and get used to talking and eating with them.
7. It is common for there to be a few adjustments to get the denture just right for the patient so follow up appointments should be expected. 

Implant-supported dentures naturally require dental implants to be placed first. Then the patient can be provided with dentures that fasten to the dental implant. Some dentures snap into the dental implants, enabling the dentures to be removed and allowed access to clean both dentures and implants. Other implant-supported dentures are permanently attached to the implant, requiring a trip to the dentist to remove and clean them.

If you are being provided with implant-supported dentures at StarBrite Dental, we will educate you on the differences and advantages of each type of denture. Because our primary concern is your good result and satisfaction, we'll explain any recommendation to you. We want your choice to be based on an understanding of the health of the bone in your jaw and the result you want. Your lifestyle, preferences and appearance will always be taken into account so we can ensure that the quality of our care is always top notch. 

Whether they are permanently attached or removable, our dedication to quality care means that we strive for your complete comfort and effortless functionality once you receive your dentures.

1. As with traditional dentures, the first step is a thorough examination to ensure that your gums and supporting bone are healthy.
2. The examination will require detailed imagining so we can detect any weak or thin areas of bone. For full mouth dental implants, you will need to have sturdy bone in all of the areas where these titanium dental implants will be placed. 
3. Careful study of your imaging will enable us to plan the perfect areas in which to place dental implants. For most full mouth dental implants, six placements are needed in the upper and the lower jaw bones. Implants will be placed in the bone in the most advantageous positions to utilize your strongest bone.
4. Once all planning and measurements are done, we will place all these implants. This is a significant surgical procedure and you should be prepared to take time off so your body can heal afterwards. 
5. You will be provided with temporary dentures to wear as the dental implants heal. 
6. After the implants have healed well, caps called abutments will be affixed to the implants. These abutments will be important as we align your final dentures to these connections. 
7. When the implants have integrated and bonded with your bone, then it will be time to design your new dentures. You will be consulted on the shape and color of your new teeth. 
8. In a careful process, your new dentures will be precisely engineered to fit your mouth. This may require a few visits. It is vital that we ensure that your lips close comfortably, that you can talk easily and that your temporomandibular joint is in a correct and relaxed position. 
9. Your new dentures will be manufactured by a trusted dental lab.
10. When your dentures are ready, you will come into our office and try them on. They should fit perfectly and enable you to talk clearly. Your face and jaw should feel relaxed when your mouth is closed. 
11. You will wear your dentures and get used to them. Any adjustments that are needed will be made until you are completely happy with the result.

Yes, there are many steps in being provided with implant-supported dentures, but the result is worth it because wearing implant-supported dentures is more effortless than any other system of tooth replacement. Here are the advantages our patients tell us about when we provide them with these dentures. 

• The overdentures do not rest on the gums, they rest on the dental implants. You can still get sore spots, this means there is less pressure on the bone and thus preservation of it.
• They are less restrictions in what they can eat. Most can finally crunch into a juicy apple or eat popcorn, chewy meats or sticky foods like peanut butter.
• They can talk clearly because their dentures do not move while they speak.
• They can laugh and smile without worrying about their dentures moving. 
• The dental implants pass along chewing and biting stimulus to the upper and lower jaw bones which helps keep them stronger. 
• Implant-supported dentures are more comfortable in daily wear, when eating and when talking. 
• There is no longer any need to use denture adhesives. 
• A person’s digestion may improve because they can more thoroughly chew their food. 
• Greater biting and chewing force is possible. 
• Over a long term, patients often find they spend less money on repairs and replacements than with traditional dentures.