Dentures

The consequences of missing teeth extend far beyond aesthetic concerns; they can cause many functional and oral health challenges that may affect your overall well-being. With more than 30 years of dental experience, Dr. Zaffer can help restore your smile with custom-made dentures at John T. Zaffer, DDS, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Call the office today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What are dentures?

Dentures are prosthetic devices that replace your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues. They look, feel, and function like your natural teeth, allowing you to chew comfortably and speak clearly. Dentures also help maintain your facial structure by supporting your lips and cheeks and preventing your cheeks from sagging.  

Why might I need dentures?

Missing teeth affect more than your self-esteem. They also damage your oral health and function. There are many reasons you may have one or more missing teeth, including:

• Tooth decay (cavities)
• Periodontal disease (gum disease)
• Tooth infection
• Trauma or injury
• Severe wear and tear from bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Underlying medical conditions
• Damaged dental restorations
• Congenital conditions

After a thorough dental evaluation, Dr. Zaffer can determine the appropriate type of dentures for your needs.

Are there different types of dentures?

John T. Zaffer, DDS, offers two popular types of dentures:

Complete dentures

These prosthetics replace all your teeth. Designed to look exactly like your natural teeth and gums, they completely cover your upper or lower dental arch. 

Partials

Partials are ideal if you only have a few missing teeth. They fill in the gaps that missing teeth leave behind. While complete dentures connect to a base, partials have metal or acrylic clasps that anchor securely to your existing teeth.

What can I expect from the denture process?

After your initial consultation, Dr. Zaffer can recommend complete or partial dentures and design your treatment plan. The denture process typically includes the following steps:

Extractions

Extracting badly damaged or decayed teeth is one of the first steps in getting dentures. 

Impressions

With digital X-rays and impressions Dr. Zaffer can design your custom-made dentures.  

Trial fittings

Trial fittings with model dentures help determine the right size, fit, bite, and appearance for your permanent prosthetics. This step is important to allow the patient to evaluate their new smile before the final denture is made. 

Denture fabrication

Once the dental laboratory receives your impressions and adjustments from the trial fittings, they fabricate your dentures and send them to Dr. Zaffer’s office.

Fitting and adjustments

Finally, Dr. Zaffer places your dentures and provides detailed instructions on how to care for them.

Dentures are a safe, effective, and affordable solution for replacing missing teeth. Call John T. Zaffer, DDS, today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.