Dentures

Have you ever wondered why there are so many advertisements for denture adhesives?

The answer is simple: most dentures simply do not fit well enough for everyday comfort.

There are several reasons:

• some dentures are probably “worn out”
• many never fit that well from day one

…and there are many more reasons why dentures may not fit.

Denture wearers suffer greatly, because even a “good” denture is a poor substitute for natural teeth.

You see, there are basically 3 types of dentures available today:

1. Economy Dentures

Economy dentures are the least expensive choice. They are very basic and can usually be “made in the same day.” Some patients jokingly tell us that they only come in small, medium and large… and you get whatever fits the closest.

1. Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures are the type of dentures that most general dentists make. They will usually fit better and look better than any economy dentures. The drawbacks come when a patient has been told that they don’t have much of their jawbone. Dentures still may not fit well for this condition.

1. Neuromuscular or Facial Cosmetic Dentures

Facial Cosmetic Dentures are the most customized denture available. These are the types of dentures that our office makes. They are the most expensive type of denture. However, you will get the best comfort, fit, function and esthetics.

Neuromuscular/Facial Cosmetic Dentures:

(the “fountain of youth” for denture wearers)

The basis of neuromuscular treatment lies in achieving and maintaining optimum muscle relaxation and function. This is important in dentures in that this directly relates to the fit and appearance of dentures. In terms of the fit, because the dentures rest partially on muscles, if you can achieve stable and relaxed muscles, you automatically get a better fit.

Additionally, you want to build the bite at the position where the muscles will best function. This coincides with the same position that provides the greatest facial support. In other words the dentures that function best also look best.

You have all seen a person’s face “sink in” when they remove their dentures. A little amount of this “sunken in” look exists in dentures if they are not made to optimum neuromuscular dimensions. If time is taken to properly determine and capture all of these considerations in the new dentures, the patient will look better and feel better also.

We have made dentures for patients who looked 20 years younger when we were finished, and they could eat normally again! This process is much more expensive than the economy version, but consider that the patient can function so much better and looks so much better/younger. For dentistry in general, the making of dentures is fast becoming a lost art. In fact, most dentists do not really like to make dentures because the results are so unpredictable. To make a quality denture takes much time and more expense than the typical economy denture made by the economy denture specialists. Many patients choose to experiment with these economy techniques because the cost savings are tempting, but they end up with a drawer full of ill fitting mistakes and a bathroom cabinet full of denture adhesives.