Services

Dentures in Reno, NV

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are removable artificial teeth used to replace a few missing teeth in the mouth. The dentures are made of a base that mimics the appearance of the gums, and attached to that base are artificial teeth. The acrylic base and artificial teeth are connected through a metal framework, containing metal clasps that clip onto the side of the natural teeth. Don't hesitate to give us a call or stop by our office located at 620 Humboldt Street, Reno, NV 89509.

Full Dentures

Full dentures replace an entire arch or both arches of teeth. You will need to have all of your remaining teeth extracted before receiving your removable full dentures. It will take about 8-12 weeks for your gums to heal and then you can be fitted for your official dentures. 

In the meantime, you will be given temporary immediate dentures which can be worn very shortly after having your teeth extracted. This is to preserve the integrity of your jaw and mouth and to assist you with tooth function for purposes of mastication and speaking.

Which One is

Right For Me?

Full dentures are only suitable for patients who have already lost the majority of their teeth. This is because extraction of the remaining teeth is necessary before receiving full dentures, as they replace an entire arch of teeth or both arches of teeth.

If you still have the majority of your teeth and are only missing a few, then partial dentures would be much more suitable for you. Unnecessarily extracting healthy teeth is not recommended, as tooth loss leads to jaw bone loss, which over the long term will cause a change in your facial structure. Your dentist in Reno, NV is happy to help you make this choice! 

How Long Do Dentures Last?

How long your dentures will last depend on a few variables, such as the type of dentures, your oral hygiene, and changes in the structure of your mouth. Full dentures are expected to last between 5-10 years, while partial dentures can last for up to 15 years. Immediate dentures, which are temporary dentures worn until your permanent dentures are ready, only have a lifespan of a few months.

The biggest factor that determines when you will need to have your dentures replaced or relined has to do with changes in your jaw. When you lose teeth, you lose jaw bone over time. Loss of jaw bone results in changes in the shape of your jaw and mouth and shrinking gums. Signs that it could be time for a replacement include:

  • Gum irritation
  • Visible wearing down of the dentures
  • Dentures make a clicking noise
  • Dentures feel uncomfortable
  • Difficulty chewing and speaking
  • Biting the inside of your mouth

Will Wearing Denture

Get in the Way of Talking, Eating, or Drinking?

Adjusting to wearing dentures will take some getting used to. Over time, you will find it much easier to speak and eat, but in the beginning, it may feel quite different from what you’re used to. When you first begin eating with your new dentures, you might notice that food tastes less flavorful. 

This has to do with your brain fixating on the new sensation of your dentures rather than your taste buds. With time, your mind will pay less attention to your dentures and this will no longer overpower the signals coming from your tastebuds. 

Another issue you may experience when getting used to dentures is an inability to properly perceive food and drink temperatures. Your natural teeth contain nerves that are responsible for sensation. When you chew with false teeth, however, this sensation is no longer there inside of the teeth. Be careful when consuming very hot or cold foods and drinks.

Some tips to help with eating with new dentures easier are to stick to soft foods at first and try to chew evenly on both sides of the mouth to even out the pressure. You should also cut food into small pieces and carefully check the temperature. You can start to introduce more solid and chewier foods once you feel more comfortable.

Some difficulty with speaking may be present in the early stages, such as pronouncing certain sounds and managing your speech volume. The sound of your speech reaches your ears through vibrations that occur in your jaw and skull, so when you first start wearing dentures, you may sound a lot louder than normal because the dentures alter how the sound moves. This increase in volume is likely only noticeable to you and you will adjust with time. If your dentures click when you speak, speak more slowly, and give your muscles time to adapt to properly enunciate.

The Veneer Placement Process

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Initial Consultation

To begin the process, you’ll need to see Dr. Dean for an initial consultation. After a comprehensive oral exam, she will discuss veneers and your other cosmetic dentistry options to ensure veneers are the right treatment for you.

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Tooth Preparation

At your next appointment, Dr. Dean will clean and numb your mouth, then remove a thin layer of enamel from each tooth that’s getting a veneer. After this, she will take molds and images of your teeth, and send these to a dental lab. You’ll be sent home with a set of temporary veneers.

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Crafting Your Veneers

Our lab partners will craft a set of beautiful, lifelike veneers based on the molds and images of your teeth sent by Dr. Dean. Once your permanent veneers are done, they’ll be sent back to WestSide Dental Studio. This usually takes 2-3 weeks.

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Permanent Veneer Placement

Once your veneers arrive at our office, you’ll come back for a final appointment. Dr. Dean will remove your temporary veneers, clean your teeth, and do a final fit check for your porcelain veneers. If everything looks good, she will use dental cement to permanently attach them to your teeth, completing the procedure.

How To Care For Veneers

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At-Home Oral Hygiene

Make sure to continue to brush twice a day and floss once per day to keep your mouth healthy and prevent cavities and gum disease.

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Changing Your Habits

You’ll need to avoid chewing non-food objects like pencils and pens. It’s also bad to use your teeth as “tools” to open packages or tear tape, since this could damage your veneers. We also recommend chewing extremely hard foods like nuts with your rear teeth, not your veneers.

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Dental Visits

Finally, come to WestSide Dental Studio every six months so that Dr. Dean can examine your mouth and provide you with a clean bill of health.

Do Right by Your Smile

Ready to Book Your Visit?

There’s no time like the present to get started on your journey to your best smile yet. We can’t wait to meet you, so be sure to get in touch today with your local dentist in Reno