Complete Dentures
This type of denture is made to replace all or most of natural dentition (i.e. if there is only one natural tooth left on the arch). The denture is supported by gum tissue and the bone underneath, the more bone you have, the better outcome of the denture.
Partial Dentures (Three different types)
Acrylic Partial Dentures – Partial Denture that is made of Acrylic (i.e. no metal plate), denture is supported by gum tissue and the abutment teeth (the teeth that the denture is hook on to). This type of partial denture is most economical compare to the other two, usually is chosen when the condition of the remaining natural teeth are not very good.
Cast Partial Dentures – Partial Dentures that is made of Metal Framework and Acrylic, denture is supported by natural dentition, denture is more sturdy and comfortable as metal framework would be made thinner than Acrylic Partial denture.
Flexible Partial Dentures – Partial Dentures that is made of Flexible material, denture is supported by gum tissue, no metal plate or metal hook. This type of denture provides best esthetics, but the chewing power is not as strong as the other two types of partial dentures. The cost of flexible partial denture is higher in compare to the other two types as well because it cannot be repaired most of the time.
Immediate Dentures
Complete or Partial Dentures that are made prior to any teeth extractions. Impressions are done before extractions and teeth that are going to be extracted will be removed on the model for denture fabrication. Depending on how many teeth are being extracted and the bone condition, some immediate dentures become loose after 1-3 months or even every 3 months, a reline would be needed until all the bone is settled. In some cases, the patient would be able to wear the immediate denture as permanent denture after reline, but sometimes the changes are so much that patient need a completely new set of denture.
Denture Repair
Denture repair could be done when broken denture caused by accidents, cracked from biting too hard, natural tooth lost which require addition of denture teeth. A lot of the time broken denture will break again after repair, depending on the cause of breakage. Loose denture will tend to break because it does not sit perfectly on the bone, the hollow area between denture and bone will become the weak point and cause the breakage. Old dentures would also tend to break easily as the material become weaker after many years. Sometimes, cast partial denture is not repairable if the breakage happen at the major connector, the metal will not be strong enough once it broke. Also, sometimes the addition of denture tooth on Cast Partial Denture is not possible if the design of the cast partial does not allow addition.
Denture Reline
New dentures would usually start to become loose (you might feel it or you might not) after two years. The amount of space between your gum and the denture and where the space is would affect the retention of your denture. It is strongly recommend patients to go to their denturist every two years for check up to avoid ill fitting denture that traumatize their gum and bone which might lead to excessive bone loss. Denture reline is to fill the gap between the denture and your tissue to avoid any breakage and also to strengthen your bone that sit under your denture.
Denture Rebase
A lower cost solution when your denture teeth are still in good condition (not much wear out, good contacts), but the denture base is far different from the intraoral that denture cannot sit inside the mouth. For example, you have a set of dentures that you never wear because it doesn’t fit, but you like the look of the teeth. This procedure changed the acrylic (pink) part of the denture and keep the same teeth. But this procedure require a lot of work that your denture need to be kept by the denturist for few days, almost like making a new set of dentures.
Anti-Snoring Device
As we age, our muscles lose it’s elasticity. During normal sleep, the muscles that control the tongue and soft palate hold the airway open. When these muscles lose it’s elasticity and relax at night, the airway narrows and lead to snoring and breathing difficulties. An anti-snoring device is a mandibular (lower jaw) advancement splint that treats snoring and mild to moderate OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) by moving the lower jaw forward slightly. The forward movement tightens the soft tissue and muscles of the upper airway, which prevents obstruction of the airway while you sleep.
Sports Guard
A mouthguard should be worn whenever your sport has a risk of falls or head contact with equipment or other players. Football, boxing, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding and gymnastics are some of the sports and activities where mouthguards are indicated.