Partials & Dentures

Gaps in your smile affect more than appearance — missing teeth can make the lips look thinner and the chin appear more pointed, adding years to how old you look. Missing teeth also cause remaining teeth (including those in the opposite arch) to shift, leading to crowding, a misaligned bite, and a harder time keeping teeth clean, which raises the risk of further decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.

**Conventional dentures** involve a four- to eight-week healing period after extraction before fitting, allowing the gums and bone to heal for a better long-term fit — though you'll go without teeth during that time.

**Immediate dentures** are placed the same day your teeth are extracted, so you leave with a smile right away and can start adjusting to speaking and eating with your new denture sooner. Immediate dentures typically require more visits during fabrication and ongoing adjustments as your gums and bone heal and change shape.

With either option, some soreness and increased saliva flow is normal as your mouth adjusts, and it gradually subsides.

For eligible patients who prefer a fixed, non-removable option, Dr. Jobst offers dental implants. A "fixed partial," or fixed bridge, typically requires two implants for patients missing up to three adjacent teeth. For a full arch, implant-supported dentures can be placed using a procedure called All-on-4, using four implants per arch to hold a full arch of replacement teeth securely in place at all times — no removing or worrying about a loose denture, and oral hygiene is the same as with natural teeth.

For answers to your questions about partials and dentures, or to schedule a consultation, call Grand Lake Dental today to speak with one of our helpful team members.