Dentures in Jacksonville, FL

At some point in life, tooth loss becomes a possible reality for many individuals. Whether due to age, injury, decay, or disease, missing teeth can significantly impact both your oral health and mouth function, as well as your confidence. Dentures offer a time-tested solution that can restore both the function and appearance of your smile, allowing you to eat, speak, and laugh with renewed confidence.

At JAX Dental Studio, we understand the emotional and physical challenges that accompany tooth loss. Our dedicated team offers comprehensive denture solutions tailored to your unique needs, helping you regain not just your smile, but your quality of life. With our patient-centered approach, we ensure your journey to a restored smile is comfortable, dignified, and ultimately transformative.

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What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable dental appliances designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. These prosthetic devices rest on the gums and are custom-crafted to fit your mouth’s unique contours, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits. Modern dentures bear little resemblance to the often-caricatured “false teeth” of decades past. In fact, today’s options are often said to be more comfortable, natural-looking, and durable than ever before!

The evolution of denture technology has yielded remarkable improvements in how these dental prosthetics look, feel, and function. Contemporary materials allow for thinner, stronger bases and teeth that closely mimic the translucency and shading of natural teeth. Advanced manufacturing techniques ensure a more precise fit, while innovative designs address common concerns like stability and comfort.

What Are the Different Types of Dentures?

Understanding the different denture options available can help you make an informed decision about which might be right for your situation:

  • Complete dentures: These replace all teeth in an arch (upper or lower jaw) and are used when all natural teeth are missing or require extraction. They rest directly on the gums and rely on suction and proper fit for stability.

  • Partial dentures: When some natural teeth remain, partial dentures fill in the gaps. They typically attach to neighboring teeth with metal clasps or precision attachments for added security.

  • Immediate dentures: Placed on the same day teeth are extracted, these allow you to avoid being without teeth during the healing period. They may require adjustment as gums and bone change shape during healing.

These options can be further customized based on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. During your consultation, we’ll thoroughly discuss which approach may work best for your unique smile and oral health needs.

Understanding The Denture Creation Process

Getting dentures is a multi-step process that typically spans several weeks. Understanding what to expect can help ease any apprehension about the journey ahead. The denture creation process begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health, including any remaining teeth and the condition of your gums and jawbone. This initial assessment helps determine which type of denture will best serve your needs. We may take X-rays or create impressions to gather detailed information about your mouth’s structure.

Once we’ve determined the appropriate denture solution, we’ll take precise impressions of your mouth. These impressions serve as the blueprint for your custom dentures, ensuring they’ll fit comfortably and function properly. We may take multiple impressions throughout the process to refine the fit and make adjustments as needed.

What to Expect During Denture Fittings

The fitting process is crucial for ensuring your dentures work well and feel comfortable. Here’s what typically happens during this phase:

  • We’ll create a wax model of your dentures for you to try on, allowing us to check the fit, bite alignment, and appearance before finalizing the denture design.

  • You’ll have the opportunity to see how your new teeth will look and feel, providing valuable feedback that helps us make any necessary adjustments.

  • Once you’re satisfied with the preliminary model, we’ll craft your final dentures using high-quality materials designed to withstand the demands of daily use.

After receiving your finished dentures, you may need follow-up appointments for minor adjustments as you adapt to wearing them. These refinements ensure optimal comfort and function as you grow accustomed to your new teeth.

What to Expect From Living With Dentures

Adapting to life with dentures takes time and patience. Most people experience an adjustment period during which speaking and eating may feel different or even challenging. Rest assured that with practice, these activities will become increasingly natural. Initially, you may notice increased saliva production, minor irritation, or a feeling that your dentures are bulky or loose. These sensations typically subside as your mouth adapts to the presence of the dentures. Speaking clearly may require practice, particularly when pronouncing certain sounds. Reading aloud can be a helpful exercise during this adjustment period.

Eating with new dentures also requires some adaptation. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, and chew slowly using both sides of your mouth to prevent the dentures from tipping. As you become more comfortable, gradually reintroduce more challenging foods. With time and practice, you’ll regain much of your natural eating ability.

Care and Maintenance

Proper denture care is essential for maintaining both your oral health and the longevity of your prosthetic. Establishing good habits from the start will help ensure your dentures remain clean, functional, and attractive for years to come. Daily cleaning is highly important. The steps for this include the following:

  • Remove and rinse your dentures after eating to eliminate food particles

  • Brush your dentures at least once daily with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive denture cleaner

  • Never use regular toothpaste, which can be too abrasive for denture materials

  • Soak your dentures overnight in a denture-specific solution to keep them moist and clean

Don’t neglect your oral hygiene even if you have complete dentures. Brush your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft toothbrush before inserting your dentures each morning. This stimulates circulation and helps remove plaque, reducing the risk of irritation and infection. If you have more questions about whether dentures are right for you, contact our office today!

Your Next Steps With JAX Dental Studio

Living with missing teeth can affect everything from your nutritional intake to your willingness to smile in photos. Dentures provide a time-tested solution that can dramatically improve your quality of life, and today’s advanced options offer unprecedented comfort and natural aesthetics.

At JAX Dental Studio, our team brings extensive experience and continuing education to every denture case. We pride ourselves on creating custom denture solutions that not only restore function but truly reflect each patient’s unique facial features and personality. If you’re considering dentures or struggling with ill-fitting prosthetics, we invite you to discover the difference our patient-centered approach can make. Contact us today at (904) 396-4091 or through our contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dentures – Jacksonville, FL

What are the benefits of dental implants compared to traditional dentures?

Dental implants offer a more permanent solution than traditional dentures. While conventional dentures rest on the gums and can slip or feel bulky, dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, providing a stable foundation for artificial teeth. This improves chewing, speaking, and overall comfort. Implant supported dentures also preserve jawbone structure, which can deteriorate over time with traditional options. For many, implants feel more like natural teeth and don’t require removal for cleaning.

Yes, many patients can transition from wearing dentures to implant supported dentures. This option is ideal if you want more stability and less irritation. Implant supported dentures snap into place using dental implants, offering a more secure fit. You’ll enjoy improved speech, comfort, and chewing ability. However, eligibility depends on factors like bone density and oral health. A dentist can determine if you’re a good candidate for this type of restoration.

Before receiving permanent dentures, tooth extractions may be necessary to remove any remaining natural teeth. This is typically done under local anesthesia for comfort. Healing time varies by patient but often includes several weeks to allow the gums and jawbone to stabilize. During this time, temporary dentures may be worn to help you eat and speak. Your dentist will guide you through each step to ensure smooth healing and a successful denture fit.

Replacement dentures are long-term solutions crafted for durability and fit after your mouth has fully healed, while temporary dentures are used right after extractions. Temporary dentures allow you to maintain appearance and function while your gums recover. They’re not as precisely fitted and may require adjustments. Once healing is complete, replacement dentures are custom-made using impressions of your mouth to ensure comfort, improved function, and a natural look for your artificial teeth.

Yes, partial dentures are designed to work alongside your remaining natural teeth. They fill gaps caused by missing teeth and use clasps or attachments for stability. This option allows you to preserve healthy teeth while still restoring your smile and bite function. Partial dentures are a great alternative to complete dentures or dental implants when some teeth are still viable. They also help prevent other teeth from shifting out of place.

Did you know…

The first known set of full dentures was created by the Etruscan civilization as early as 700 BC.

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What To Expect From The Dentures Process

What To Expect From The Dentures Process

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Initial consultation

To begin the process, Dr. Poblenz will examine your mouth to determine if full or partial dentures are right for you and discuss all of your options for restoring your smile.

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Tooth extractions (full dentures only)

If you are getting full dentures, all of your remaining teeth must be pulled before the denture fitting process begins. You will get a set of temporary dentures to wear while your mouth heals.

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Denture fitting

At your initial denture fitting, Dr. Poblenz will take impressions of your teeth and/or gums, and create a bite mold based on your bite. He will record a lot of different information about your mouth, and send all of this information to a dental lab where your test dentures will be made.

Wax denture try-in

The dental lab will build a set of test dentures, which consist of false teeth set in a wax base, and send them to JAX Dental Studio. You’ll come back to our office to try the dentures on, and see how they fit. This process will be repeated multiple times to ensure you get the best possible fit.

Final dentures

Once your test dentures fit perfectly, the dental lab will build a set of permanent partial or full dentures and send them to JAX Dental Studio. You’ll just need to come in and pick up your new teeth. At this time, Dr. Poblenz will also provide you with information about how to care for your dentures.

More About Dentures

The biggest benefit of dentures is that you can restore your natural smile and bite, and replace one, several, or all of your teeth. This improves your self-confidence, your speech, and your ability to eat your favorite foods. 

Dentures are almost always covered by insurance, at least partially, and they tend to be the most affordable way to replace one or more missing teeth. If you are on a tight budget, this makes full or partial dentures a great choice.

If you have lost all of your teeth or all of your remaining teeth must be pulled due to serious oral health issues, full dentures may be a good choice, particularly if you do not have the budget for an alternative treatment like implant-supported dentures.

Partial dentures are also a good option if you’ve lost one or a few teeth, and you are not interested in alternative treatments like dental bridges or dental implants. 

The best way to find out whether dentures are right for you is to contact JAX Dental Studio for an appointment with Dr. Poblenz. He can discuss all of your options for replacing your missing teeth in further detail.

Did you know…

Dentures are often non-surgical and can last for several years with proper care.

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