Dental clinic in Hamilton, ON designs well-fitting, lifelike denture options for tooth replacement

While your smile is Dentistry on Parkdale’s center focus, in everything we do there is with an understanding that oral health supports the quality of our patients’ lives. Few dental treatments have more power to transform lives than tooth replacement. Dentures represent a time-tested way to replace several or all your teeth. Dr. Karen Ho and the dental team have developed a denture clinic in Hamilton, ON that applies the latest science, precision technologies, and quality materials to create dentures that fit well and are indistinguishable from natural, healthy teeth in every way. Dentistry on Parkdale is responsive to each patient’s unique needs and preferences for tooth replacement. From removable partial or full dentures, to implant-supported systems, there is an option to replace many or all your missing teeth that is well-suited to your budget and lifestyle.

What dentures will complete your smile?

Like other dental procedures, the denture process starts with an examination of your mouth and a conversation with you about your preferences for treatment. Dr. Ho examines your mouth to see if other teeth need to be removed before you are “fitted” for a denture. Your gums need to heal before moving forward with treatment, and healing time depends on the number of teeth that must be extracted.

Conventional full dentures are probably what you think of when someone mentions the word “dentures.” Artificial teeth and gums are made by skilled technicians from materials that look like natural teeth. These dentures rest on your gum tissue and are generally designed to replace all your teeth in an arch.

Proper fit is critical. Ill-fitting dentures irritate tissues, cause sores, and make it difficult to chew food or pronounce words properly. Dentures are held in place by suction or denture adhesive. Fit can be more of a challenge when it comes to lower dentures than upper dentures, due to the shape of the jaw. While the upper denture is stabilized in the palate by natural suction, the small horseshoe-sized shape of the alveolar bone in the lower jaw usually requires a little additional support either in the form of denture adhesives or dental implants placed in the bone during a simple, in-office procedure.

If you have lost some of your teeth, a dental bridge may be recommended. But it’s not suitable for everybody. The replacement tooth gets its support from surrounding teeth. Since the artificial tooth is fused to crowns, which are then bonded to adjacent teeth as one unit, some healthy neighbouring teeth are necessary to “bridge” the gap. Partial dentures resemble dental bridges, only the replacement teeth sit on a base that is designed to replicate gum tissue. The artificial teeth and gums are connected to your remaining natural teeth with clasps.

Both complete and partial dentures are removable, which means:

• You’ll need to take the dentures out of your mouth, clean them with a denture brush or soft toothbrush and a non-abrasive soap, and soak them overnight in a water-based cleanser.
• As dentures age, they may not fit as snugly to your gums. A new denture may be in order, or the base of may need to be relined.
• Bone underneath the denture base can shrink, causing dentures to slip and promote the development of painful ulcers.
• Wear and tear to attachments may also lead to the need for repairs or replacement.

You may opt for fixed or implant-retained dentures. The denture may be designed similar to the removable options mentioned above, with a notable difference: The denture base and overlying teeth and gums are fixed in your mouth over dental implants. All dental implants serve as tooth roots. When placed in your jawbone, the tissue-friendly material fuses with the surrounding, supportive bone. The implant effectively becomes a part of you.

These dentures snap on to the implants and don’t shift around because the denture plate is connected or “rooted” to the jaw, like a natural tooth is held in place by its roots. Implants are placed in strategic spots, so you get maximum strength from a minimum number of implants. This feature makes implant-supported dentures a more attractive option for many patients, because it reduces chairside treatment time and costs dramatically. Fixed dentures don’t require special care and should be cleaned like natural teeth. They also prevent or stop the effects of bone loss, which occurs after teeth are lost and the jawbone doesn’t get the stimulation it needs to stay strong.

To find out more about your choices for tooth replacement, make an appointment at Dentistry on Parkdale in Hamilton ON. Call 905-547-4940.

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Dr. Karen Ho is a trusted dentist serving patients of all ages in Hamilton, Ontario. Having studied at prestigious institutes such as McMaster University and University of Toronto and trained at Hartford Hospital (General Practice Residency), she opened her private practice in 2003.

Dr. Ho is committed to lifelong learning as she believes that she can serve her community better by constantly updating herself. She is affiliated with many professional organisations like the Academy of General Dentistry, Institute for Clinical Practice of Pediatric Dentistry, The Dawson Academy Study Club, Niagara Peninsula Dental Diagnostic Study Club, Hamilton Chapter of the Seattle Study Club (Founding Member), and Boston and Tufts Universities.