Questions About Dentures
St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury, Lake Elmo, Stillwater, MN and Hudson,WI
Will my dentures look fake?
No. That is a good question, though, because in past years, many dentures have indeed looked fake. That is partly because they have traditionally been too generic in the line of their teeth and in their color. They have not been customized to each person’s facial shape and smile shape. Dr. Nippoldt will design your new aesthetic dentures carefully, based on your individual facial characteristics.
Being a trained cosmetic dentist, he has an eye for balance and harmony and will be able to create dentures to complement your other facial features. Each tooth is individually shaped and blended with the neighboring teeth so as to give you a flattering smile line.
Aren’t dentures loose, ill-fitting, and uncomfortable?
When dentures are well-designed for the individual mouth, they have a snug fit and feel natural and comfortable. Dr. Nippoldt is experienced in aesthetic denture design and uses modern cosmetic dentistry techniques and materials to create top-quality dentures.
How long will my dentures last?
Even the world’s best dentures will become less secure over time, and you eventually may need new dentures if you want to remain confident about your eating and smiling.
With traditional dentures there are no teeth or roots to support the bone. Therefore, the gums will continue to shrink and the jaw structures may change. This results in resorption of the dental ridge, which causes the denture to become loose or ill-fitting. For that reason, traditional dentures do not last for a lifetime. As the mouth changes, denture wearers may find that their dentures need to be relined or need to have new dentures made.
What is the All-on-Four Denture Implant System?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, positioned in the jawbone to hold one or more replacement teeth. Dental implants fill both the visible gap left by the missing tooth crown and the invisible but very real gap left by the missing tooth’s root.
The All-on-Four system is fairly new in cosmetic dentistry and is just one of several ways to reliably attach a fixed denture with dental implants. The All-on-Four system uses four strategically placed implants. It works best for patients who have been edentulous (without teeth) and have worn a traditional denture for some time. There are several types of implant-supported dentures and bridges, some of which are best for those who have been without teeth for awhile or who are about to lose all of their teeth. Dr. Nippoldt will discuss the solutions that best fit your needs and budget.
Dr. Nippoldt has special training in how to design a denture that will be held in place by dental implants. When designing the All-on-Four denture implant system, a very sophisticated computer software is used to determine where exactly to place the implants and to custom-design your denture. His good eye for harmony and color comes into play in planning the details of how each tooth relates to its neighbors and in choosing the dental materials used.
How should I care for my dentures?
If you had an All-on-Four procedure or other type of fixed implant-supported denture done, you should give it the same good daily care you give your natural teeth. Brush and floss daily and come in to our office for regular check-ups and professional cleaning.
If you have a removable denture, give it daily brushing to remove food particles and plaque. Use a soft brush designed for cleaning dentures. You can use hand soap or a gentle dishwashing liquid but avoid anything with bleach in it, as that could fade the pink area. It is also best to rinse it after each meal. For more details, please see our page on Caring for Dentures.
If you are in Minnesota or Wisconsin and near St. Paul, Minneapolis, Woodbury, Lake Elmo, or Hudson, please contact us to learn more about dentures or to schedule a complimentary consultation.
