Dentures – Petaluma, CA
Show Off Your Entire Smile Again!
Dentures have been the standard way to address tooth loss for centuries! They are affordable and reliable for people who have suffered from extensive tooth loss. And thanks to modern dental techniques and technology, they are customed to fit perfectly in your mouth and give you a beautiful grin! If you’ve suffered from tooth loss, dentures in Petaluma could be the ideal solution for you. To learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Bob Koenitzer, give us a call!
Why Choose Bob Koenitzer, DDS For Dentures?
- Customized for Every Patient
- We Welcome Dental Insurance
- Financing Through CareCredit
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Dentures are ideal for those who are missing multiple or all of their teeth. They allow you to complete tasks that tooth loss makes difficult – like enjoying a nutritious diet and speaking without accidentally mumbling. Depending on the number of teeth you have lost and where they are located in your mouth, a customized treatment plan will be put together just for you. If you have any existing oral health conditions, like cavities or gum disease, they will need to be eliminated before we can move forward in your dentures treatment plan. The health of your smile is always our top priority.
Types of Dentures
There are several different types of dentures to meet different needs. During your consultation, we’ll discuss which of these options is right for you:
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are made up of multiple replacement teeth and a gum-colored base. This type of denture fits between your existing teeth like a puzzle piece to fill in any gaps. To remain stationary, partial dentures are attached to your natural teeth with the help of clips or brackets.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are made to replace an entire arch of missing teeth, either on the top or bottom. They remain in place with help from the natural shape and suction of your mouth. If you need any additional support, denture adhesive is also available to provide stability. Traditional full dentures are removable, so you can take them out to clean your smile and while you sleep.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are supported by dental implants. This technique helps to eliminate shifting and the need for any adhesive or clasps. Dental implants also help to stimulate the jawbone, preventing the progression of bone resorption due to tooth loss. This additional stability from the implants allows patients to regain up to 70% or more of their natural chewing ability. Implant dentures are also made to last for numerous decades, so you don’t need to worry about periodic repairs or replacements.
The Benefits of Dentures
There is a reason that dentures have remained so popular after all of these years. In fact, there are several reasons! In this section, we’re covering a few noteworthy ones, starting with the fact that they allow you to eat a more varied, well-balanced, and satisfying diet.
Allows for a More Expansive Diet
Oftentimes, patients who are struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss have no choice but to eat applesauce, plain yogurt, and other extremely soft foods day after day. If this sounds all too familiar, then you’ll be happy to hear that dentures are crafted from only the best dental materials. As a result, you’ll be able to eat a wider variety of foods. Not only does this make life more exciting, but it also makes it significantly easier to get the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that your body needs.
Clearer Communication
To form words, your tongue makes a series of distinct movements against the back of your teeth. That’s why patients often struggle to enunciate clearly following tooth loss, even if they are only missing one tooth. Fortunately, replacing missing teeth with dentures can restore your normal speaking patterns (after the initial adjustment period, of course).
Prevents Dental Drift
Another noteworthy benefit of dentures: they help prevent dental drift. If you haven’t heard of this before, it’s when the teeth surrounding the gap begin to move out of place. Although this may not seem like a big deal, even relatively minor changes to your bite can lead to trouble chewing properly, chronic jaw pain, and premature wear on the remaining teeth you do have.
Easy Maintenance
Like many other patients, completing your oral hygiene regimen may not be your favorite part of your day. The good news is that dentures are relatively low maintenance. Just use a damp, soft-bristled toothbrush and a dentist-recommended cleaner to gently scrub the surface after each meal. Then, before you go to bed at night, place them in a clean glass filled with water.
Important reminder: Do NOT use bleach to clean your dentures.
Improved Self-Esteem
All too often, patients assume that their denture will feel bulky and look obvious. Thanks to significant advancements in dentistry and technology, that’s not the case. In fact, everything from the gum-colored base to the prosthetic teeth is custom-made with your face shape, dental needs, and smile goals in mind. So, you don’t have to worry – no unwanted attention will be drawn to your restoration. Instead, you’ll be able to smile with complete confidence again!
Does it sound like dentures are the ideal solution for you? If so, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation at our dental office in Petaluma.
Denture FAQs
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
It’s typically not recommended to sleep with your dentures in. Dentures adhere to the gums via suction, which requires a snug fit— so snug, in fact, that it can cut off circulation to the gums. While this isn’t necessarily a problem when wearing your prosthetic, it could irritate your gums over time if you never take them off.
It’s also possible for your denture to collect bacteria over time, and for them to grow under your dentures. Taking them out overnight to soak in an antibacterial solution can help to mitigate this issue.
What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?
While dentures can provide you with greater bite force than you may have without them, there are still some foods that you should probably steer clear from eating with your prosthetic, like:
- Hard-to-crack foods like nuts, apples, and carrots. These could damage your prosthetic if you aren’t careful.
- Tough meats, like steak, that could put a lot of stress on your prosthetic.
- Food with bits that could get stuck under your dentures, like popcorn.
- Sticky foods, like peanut butter and caramel, that can pull your denture out of place.
Why Do My Dentures Smell?
When dentures smell, it’s usually because of a bacterial contamination that has taken over your prosthetic. You should make sure that you’re cleaning your dentures thoroughly via both brushing and an antibacterial cleaner. You should also clean elsewhere in your mouth, thoroughly brushing your gums and tongue.
These kinds of infections can be exacerbated by ill-fitting dentures that irritate the gums and the other soft tissues in the mouth. You may also want to pursue a denture reline if you notice an uptick in gum sores along with the smell.
Will Dentures Change the Shape of My Face?
It’s natural for your face to sag if you’re missing teeth, which can affect your overall appearance and cause wrinkles prematurely. Thankfully, a set of well-fitting dentures can take the place of the teeth in this regard, giving you face some much-needed support. This is yet another reason to make sure that your prosthetic fits well, and to get a reline if you need one.