We shared this post earlier this year, but now Dr Patterson is able to make digital dentures for people who have not had all the teeth removed yet!
Digital dentures are designed using advanced technology that allows for precision fitting and enhanced comfort. Gone are the days of messy impressions and long wait times! With digital scans and 3D printing, your new smile can be crafted more accurately, and in many cases, in record time!
Digital Dentures in Colorado Springs
At Mountain Springs Advanced Dental, Dr. Patterson designs and 3D-prints dentures from a digital scan of your mouth instead of traditional putty impressions. The result is a more precise fit, a faster process, and a digital record of your smile that we keep on file. Digital dentures are now available, whether you’re already missing your teeth, wear dentures today, or still have teeth that need to be removed.
Digital Dentures Before Your Teeth Are Removed
Until recently, digital dentures were only an option once your teeth were gone. Now, Dr. Patterson can scan your mouth while your natural teeth are still in place and design your new denture before any extractions. Because we can see your natural bite and tooth shape in the scan, we can also design a smile that looks like you.
How the Digital Denture Process Works
- Digital scan: A quick, comfortable scan replaces messy impression material.
- Custom design: Dr. Patterson designs your denture digitally, and you can weigh in on the size, shape, and color of your teeth.
- Take-home trial denture: You wear a 3D-printed trial set for a few days while eating, talking, and smiling. Traditional wax try-ins can’t be tested this way.
- Adjustments: Any changes to fit or appearance are made before the final denture is printed.
- Final denture: Your finished denture is printed from the approved design.
Benefits of 3D-Printed Dentures
- Precise, comfortable fit: Digital scans capture details that traditional impressions can miss.
- Test before you commit: The trial denture lets you check the fit and look in real life.
- Fewer appointments: Digital design shortens the overall process for most patients.
- Easy replacement: If your denture is lost or broken beyond repair, we can reprint it from your saved scan without starting over.
Dentures in Colorado Springs | Mountain Springs Advanced Dental
Dentures are crucial for many individuals seeking to restore their smiles and improve oral functionality. At Mountain Springs Advanced Dental, we specialize in providing high-quality dentures in Colorado Springs. Our experienced team is dedicated to ensuring you receive the best care and achieve the confidence to smile again. Whether you need full or partial dentures, we are here to help you every step of the way.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable dental appliances designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They come in two main types: complete dentures, which replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw, and partial dentures, which fill in the gaps left by missing teeth while keeping the remaining natural teeth in place. Dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth comfortably and look natural, enhancing your appearance and oral health.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for Dentures?
Ideal candidates for dentures include individuals who have lost multiple teeth due to decay, injury, or periodontal disease. Those who have difficulty chewing food, speaking clearly, or who feel self-conscious about their missing teeth can benefit significantly from dentures. Healthy gums and sufficient bone structure are essential to support dentures. Our dental team will thoroughly examine to determine if dentures are the right solution for you.
The Denture Installation Process
Getting dentures typically involves several steps to ensure a perfect fit and optimal comfort. Here’s what you can expect:
- Initial Consultation: During your first visit, we will assess your oral health, discuss your needs, and take impressions of your gums and any remaining teeth.
- Preparation: If necessary, any remaining teeth that need to be removed will be extracted, and your gums will be given time to heal.
- Fitting: Once your gums have healed, we will take precise measurements and impressions to create your custom dentures.
- Try-In: You will try on a model of your dentures to ensure proper fit and appearance. Adjustments will be made as needed.
- Final Placement: Your final dentures will be placed, and we will ensure they fit comfortably and function well.
Types of Dentures We Offer at Mountain Springs Advanced Dental
We make complete dentures, partial dentures, and implant-retained (snap-in) dentures digitally.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture is used to replace several missing teeth that are in close proximity to one another. With a traditional partial denture, metal clasps are used to engage the surrounding teeth and hold the prosthetic device in place. Acrylic is added to the metal framework of the partial denture to replicate missing gum tissue, and prosthetic teeth are added to function in place of the missing teeth. In some circumstances, partial dentures may be made without a metal framework, either as flexible or hard acrylic partials. Implants may also be considered to help secure and stabilize a partial denture.
Complete Dentures
A complete denture is used when a patient is missing all of his or her upper or lower teeth. Dentures consist of prosthetic teeth aligned in an acrylic base designed to simulate the lost gum tissue. The size, shape, color, and positioning of the teeth are customized for each patient to provide optimal aesthetic quality and functionality for speech and eating. The success of a denture depends greatly on the supporting oral structures on which the denture rests. Patients who have difficulty keeping a denture in place have the option of having implants placed. Once healed, the implants can be used to stabilize the denture and hold it in place. This is especially helpful for lower dentures, where the supporting oral structures are frequently inadequate.
Implant Retained Dentures
Some patients opt to have their dentures attached to implants rather than resting solely on their gums. Implants are placed by an oral surgeon in Colorado Springs. Most of the time, we see 4 implants placed on the lower arch and 2-4 on the upper arch. Patients will either have the implants placed when all their teeth are extracted or once they are completely healed. Patients can even have implants placed after many years of denture wearing. Once the implants are fully healed, we can modify the current denture to include implant abutments and attachments that connect it to the implants. The denture snaps onto the implants and requires no adhesive. Implant-supported dentures are a significant investment; however, they give the patient greater confidence because they won’t just fall out.
How Do You Care for Your Dentures?
Proper care of your dentures is essential to maintain their longevity and your oral health. Here are some tips to keep your dentures in excellent condition:
- Daily Cleaning: Remove and rinse your dentures after eating to remove food particles. Brush them daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive denture cleanser.
- Soak Overnight: Keep your dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight to maintain their shape and prevent drying out.
- Handle with Care: Be gentle when handling your dentures to avoid dropping and damaging them.
- Regular Check-Ups: Visit our dental office regularly to ensure your dentures fit correctly and to make any necessary adjustments.
Getting the Perfect Fit
New dentures might need a few tweaks to feel just right. It’s totally normal to have a little soreness or pressure while your mouth adjusts. If things feel off or uncomfortable, just come in for a quick adjustment, and we’ll make sure they fit as comfortably as possible.
Fixing Loose Dentures
Over time, your gums and jaw can shift, which can make your dentures feel loose or less secure. If that happens, a denture reline can help—it’s a simple process that reshapes the inside of your dentures to fit your mouth better. If your dentures start slipping or just don’t feel as snug, let us know, and we’ll get them adjusted.
What to Do If Your Denture Breaks
Accidents happen! If your dentures crack or chip, or a tooth breaks off, don’t panic and don’t try to glue them back together. Just keep any broken pieces (including any teeth that popped off) and bring them to your appointment. Most of the time, we can fix them. If they can’t be repaired, we can reprint a new set using your existing digital scan, so you won’t have to start from scratch.
Lost Your Dentures? No Problem!
One of the best things about digital dentures is that if you lose them completely, we don’t have to go through the whole fitting process again. Since we already have your scan, we can reprint an identical set, getting you back to eating, talking, and smiling as soon as possible.
Why You Need to Find a Reliable Dental Company
Finding a reliable dental company is crucial for ensuring that your dentures are of high quality and fit perfectly.
A trustworthy dental practice will offer personalized care, use state-of-the-art technology, and provide ongoing support to address any issues you may encounter with your dentures. At Mountain Springs Advanced Dental, we prioritize your comfort and satisfaction, delivering exceptional dental care tailored to your needs.
Why Choose Us?
Choosing Mountain Springs Advanced Dental for your denture needs means opting for expertise, quality, and compassionate care. Here’s why we stand out:
- Experienced Team: Our team of dental professionals has extensive experience in providing denture solutions.
- Custom Fit: We use advanced techniques to ensure your dentures fit perfectly and comfortably.
- Comprehensive Care: From initial consultation to ongoing maintenance, we offer comprehensive care to support your oral health.
- State-of-the-Art Facility: Our modern dental office has the latest technology to provide the best possible care.
Dentures Made by Board-Certified Prosthodontists
Dentures are a core area of prosthodontics, the dental specialty focused on replacing missing teeth. Dr. Benjamin Patterson and Dr. S. Shae Cherrington are both board-certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics, and both completed their specialty training with the U.S. Army. Dr. Patterson designs our digital dentures in-house, including for patients who still have teeth that need to be removed. Dr. Cherrington’s additional fellowship in maxillofacial prosthetics provides our team with extra expertise in complex cases.
Restore Your Confidence With Our Dentures in Colorado Springs
Restoring your smile with dentures can significantly improve your quality of life, enhancing your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently. At Mountain Springs Advanced Dental, we are committed to providing top-notch denture services in Colorado Springs.
Our experienced team will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring you receive the best care possible.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a beautiful, healthy smile with Mountain Springs Advanced Dental.