Unfortunately, there comes a time when a compromised tooth can no longer be saved for a patient and it will have to be extracted (a very sad day in dentistry). The good news is there are several options for replacement!  One of the ways our doctor can replace a tooth or missing teeth are with partials and complete dentures.

A complete denture is a prosthetic device prescribed by the doctor to aid in the chewing and function of everyday living. Complete dentures are not a replacement for real teeth, but a substitute for no teeth. This means that dentures are not going to fit, feel, or function the same way natural teeth do. However, patients find that after denture fabrication they can eat more efficiently and speak more naturally as opposed to patients with no teeth at all.  Our doctor strives to come as close as possible to the look, feel, and function of your previous teeth by taking several necessary measurements over the course of several appointments to ensure we get as good as fit as possible. If you are a candidate for dentures, bringing in old pictures of yourself smiling can aid the doctor in selecting the size and shape of your new teeth.

For those patients with only several missing teeth, the doctor may prescribe a removable partial denture. A “partial” as most people know it as, is made out of the same denture teeth and acrylic as a complete denture however the teeth are supported by a framework. These frameworks can be made from several different materials. The dentist will explain to you the benefits of the different materials and reasons for material choice in selecting your partial denture framework. 

Here at Lemay Family Dentistry we not only offer the traditional cast metal framework but also the flexible base framework as well. These flexible base partials can be more esthetically pleasing and more comfortable to wear. Please ask the dentist which framework is best for you.