DENTURE  SERVICES

FULL  DENTURES -  We offer the following full dentures: 
    1. Replacement Dentures – To replace ill-fitting dentures, or dentures that cannot be repaired.
    2. Immediate Dentures – Dentures that are placed on the same day that teeth are extracted.
    3. Overdentures – Dentures that fit over residual roots or implants, and are retained by hidden attachment systems. 
We have two options for full dentures:
    1. The Standard- Equivalent to the denture offered by most practices.  It uses ADA certified quality IPN plastic teeth and Lucitone 199 acrylic which are considered the benchmark for denture materials.  Five free adjustments are provided during the first year.  One year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.  If it breaks we’ll fix it no questions asked.
    2. The Life-Like- More of a custom denture with the highest quality of teeth and Lucitone 199 acrylic.  Porcelain teeth are also offered where appropriate.   Unlimited adjustments for the first year.  Three year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.
REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES - We offer several types that vary in design, comfort and durability. 
    1. Cast Partial- The top of the line.  Constructed of mostly chrome-cobalt metal.  It can be stronger with less in the mouth.  High quality IPN teeth and Lucitone 199 acrylic are used.  Also indicated when there is little space available requiring tooth shaped castings be part of the frame or when more custom situations dictate special metal backed teeth to prevent breakage.
    2. Hybrid Partial- Still has a metal framework and cast retention clasps like the Cast, but with more bulk.  Still a great appliance, but used when few teeth remain and space and size isn’t as crucial.  IPN teeth and Lucitone 199 acrylic are used.
    3. Acrylic Partial- Considered by the profession as a temporary appliance.  No metal framework is included and the retention clasps are stainless steel wire which is hand formed and embedded in the acrylic base.  A more economical appliance that is still very cosmetic, but is less durable and the retention is not as good as provided by the custom cast clasps of the Cast and Hybrid Partials.
    4. Flippers- Flippers are similar to Acrylic partials, but replace only front teeth.  They are considered temporary appliances by the profession.  They provide a good cosmetic result for an inexpensive appliance, but are prone to breakage and are not as retentive as other appliances.  They rely on undercuts in the anchor teeth for retention so may break loose with biting or chewing difficult foods.
    5. Valplast Partials- Valplast is a brand name of flexible nylon-like material.  These partials are entirely non-metallic.  Instead of cast metal or wire clasps for retention, Valplast or similar non-metallic partials use flexible gum colored wings that engage undercuts in the teeth and soft tissue areas.  These appliances are light weight and more comfortable than conventional partials. The material is patented and has to be manufactured or repaired by an outside lab licensed to use this product. This requires as much as 5 days turn around for any work to repair or add teeth to an existing partial whereas all acrylic based appliances can be worked on in our lab for same day service.
    6. Unilateral Partials- Sometimes referred to as “Spider Partials”, these small inexpensive partials are used to replace1-2 adjacent posterior teeth on one side of the mouth.  These appliances are used to maintain space and position of the remaining teeth until the area can be restored with implant crowns or fixed bridges.  Made of the same materials as the Cast and Hybrid.  This appliance is only retained by the adjacent teeth, so there can be some rocking during chewing because of the lack of bracing by the teeth on the other side of the mouth like in full arch appliances.
    7. Immediate Partials- All types of partials can be done as immediates, where necessary tooth extractions are performed at the delivery appointment.  We work around the remaining teeth during the initial appointments where tooth position and the bite relationship are established and only extract hopeless teeth at the final appointment.  This method does not allow the try in of the metal framework before delivery so rarely there can be issues with proper fit. If another partial is required to be made, there is no cost to the patient. 
OTHER SERVICES- We offer other services for the repair and maintenance of your appliances.    
    • Relines and Rebases- Periodically all removable full or partial dentures require procedures to refit the base of the appliance to the supporting tissues.  Once teeth are lost the ridges slowly shrink.  We tell most patients to have their dentures relined every 5 years.  People who use adhesives usually would be better served to get a reline.  They are filling the gaps under their dentures with glue.  Relining requires a morning impression appointment and an afternoon delivery appointment.  A rebase is a procedure similar to a reline, except the entire old acrylic base except the part around the teeth is replaced.  Requires a morning impression appointment with a delivery appointment the following day.
    • Rejuvenations- When the chewing teeth are excessively worn, old teeth can be replaced with new teeth to improve chewing efficiency and to open the bite to its original dimension.  We can also replace the anterior teeth of an appliance that have become short with wear to improve the cosmetic appearance of the smile.  This requires a morning impression appointment with a delivery appointment the following day.
    • Repairs- We pride ourselves on being creative repairing your appliances.  Repairs to the acrylic bases or replacement of lost or broken teeth are typically performed in one day.  Call early for an appointment as we accept a certain number of repairs daily along with our other work.
    • Adjustments- A properly fitting appliance should not hurt to wear in most cases.  Some problems with poor stability, sore spots, and lack of retention can be improved by adjusting an appliance.