Designing Independence Smiles with Dentures

No doubt you’ve heard the stories about America's founding father and first President George Washington's false wooden teeth. Actually, the story is as false as the teeth. Although he suffered poor dental health during adulthood and did indeed wear dentures, they were made of ivory. Today, fortunately, the dentures Independence Family Dentistry offers patients are infinitely more lifelike and comfortable than the ones President Washington wore.

Complete Dentures Northern Kentucky Patients are Happy to Wear

President Washington was said to have complained bitterly about his dentures; they apparently made speaking and eating difficult and caused his lips to bulge. With full dentures from Dr. Nakhla, you’ll have no such problems. For most patients, full dentures are required after all of the teeth have been extracted because of severe decay or gum disease that has advanced beyond the option of even surgical treatment. As your gums heal, we’ll give you a set of temporary dentures to wear. Once your gum tissue is completely healed, we’ll take impressions and digital x-rays of your mouth, as well as photographs of your face that our dental lab will use to fabricate your customized dentures according to Dr. Nakhla’s exacting specifications.

As you begin to wear your new dentures, you won’t experience the challenges Washington faced, but there will be an adjustment period. Although your dentures will be held in place by suction and, if necessary, a denture adhesive, your tongue and cheek muscles will need to “learn” how to hold them in place, too. Chewing and speaking will feel different. If there are any sore spots on your gums, call our office immediately and we’ll schedule an appointment for Dr. Nakhla to have a look and smooth over any spots where the base is not fitting flush against your gums.

Partial Dentures Independence Smiles About

For patients who are missing a few teeth in different locations along an arch, we can have a partial denture manufactured. A partial fits like a puzzle piece around and between your remaining teeth. With hooks and clasps, your partial will remain securely in place, allowing you to smile, talk and eat with confidence.

Whether you’re wearing full dentures or a partial, you’ll need to properly care for them. Clean your dentures daily with a non-abrasive denture cleaner and never sleep with your dentures in your mouth. Instead, let them soak in water overnight to prevent warping. You’ll also need to take good care of your gum tissue, too. Brush and floss your gums, as well as your remaining teeth, your tongue and the roof of your mouth to clear away bacteria and maintain fresh breath.

Independence Family Dentistry provides a variety of restorative dentistry services for the Independence and Northern Kentucky area. Request your appointment!