Missing teeth can be uncomfortable and cause various problems, like struggling to eat or speak properly. Fortunately, Peninsula Family Dentistry offers solutions like dentures to help those in Gig Harbor, Washington, and our surrounding communities. Dentures are an excellent form of restorative dental care that allows you to receive the treatment necessary to restore your smile and bring comfort and function back into your daily life. Fortunately, there are a variety of options available to help you best meet your needs!
Dr. Thomas Duffy is a dedicated and highly skilled dentist with a wealth of experience. He specializes in providing compassionate care and finding tailored solutions to meet each patient’s unique dental needs. Inside our Gig Harbor office, Dr. Duffy leads a skilled team committed to delivering the highest standard of dental care. From dentures to a wide range of other restorative options, you can trust Dr. Duffy’s expertise to guide you toward the most suitable and effective solutions for your oral health. Your smile is in capable hands with Dr. Duffy, where personalized care and professional excellence meet to ensure your utmost comfort, safety, and satisfaction.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are custom dental appliances used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. If you have experienced tooth loss stemming from various causes, such as injury, periodontal disease, or dental decay, this may be an excellent option for you. Dr. Duffy offers several denture types, each characterized by its unique advantages and considerations, ensuring a tailored approach to meet diverse patient needs.
Types of Dentures
When you schedule a consultation with Dr. Duffy, you embark on a personalized journey toward identifying the ideal denture solution tailored specifically to your needs. Dr. Duffy’s unwavering commitment to patient-centric care ensures that your unique requirements and preferences take precedence throughout the process. With his expertise, answers to your questions, and your input, together, you’ll determine a denture solution to restore your smile and oral function, prioritizing your utmost satisfaction and well-being.
- Immediate Dentures: Immediate dentures are a type of dental prosthesis that are placed in your mouth immediately after the extraction of your natural teeth, typically the front teeth. These dentures serve as a temporary and immediate replacement for your missing teeth for about a year. While your gums and oral tissues heal, your immediate dentures will allow you to maintain or even enhance the functionality and aesthetic beauty of your teeth and smile!
However, it’s important to note that immediate dentures will require periodic adjustments during the first few months to a year because your gums and bone structure can change as they heal. Dr. Duffy will guide you through the process and provide the necessary care to optimize the fit and function of your dentures as your oral tissues heal and stabilize.
- Partial Dentures: Partial dentures are a versatile dental solution designed to address cases where some teeth are compromised or missing. These dentures are skillfully tailored to replace unhealthy or missing teeth, while your remaining healthy teeth play a crucial role in providing support and stability to the partial denture. This approach ensures a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality, allowing patients to enjoy a confident and complete smile.
- Implant-Supported Dentures: Implant-supported dentures represent an advanced and highly effective option for individuals seeking enhanced comfort, stability, and support in their denture experience. These dentures are affixed to multiple dental implants surgically placed in the jawbone, providing a secure and long-lasting foundation, as well as significantly reducing the amount of material compared to an immediate or partial denture. Although the procedure may require additional time for implant integration, the benefits in terms of durability and comfort are worth the investment, leading to a remarkable improvement in oral health and quality of life. Learn more about dental implants.
The Benefits of Dentures
- Appearance and Function: Dentures can improve your appearance by filling in gaps left by missing teeth, making eating and speaking easier.
- Customizable: Dentures will be customized to match your natural teeth so they can blend nicely with your smile.
Caring for Your Dentures
Proper care and maintenance are essential for keeping dentures clean and functional over time. Dr. Duffy and his team will offer you invaluable guidance and expert care instructions to ensure your dentures serve you well. These instructions will encompass daily cleaning routines, special denture cleaning products, and regular check-ups to address any necessary adjustments, ultimately ensuring your dentures maintain their optimal fit and functionality, allowing you to enjoy a confident, comfortable, and beautiful smile.
Proper Cleaning of Your Dentures
When cleaning your dentures, you must brush and rinse them after meals or at least daily with lukewarm water, and intermittently use denture cleansers as an overnight soak.
Avoid Certain Foods
You should also avoid eating hard or sticky foods, which can damage or dislodge your dentures. Implant-supported dentures tend to be much more resilient to these types of foods.
Regular Check-ups with Dr. Duffy
Regular dental check-ups are also essential to ensure the health of your gums and surrounding tissues. Dr. Duffy will ensure you are in the best health overall and listen to any questions or concerns to help you best during your care.
Alternatives to Dentures
If you are not a good candidate for dentures or would prefer a different choice, other dental options are available. These include dental implants and fixed bridges, which can also improve the appearance and functionality of your teeth. Dr. Duffy will help you determine the right solution based on your oral health, lifestyle, and budget.
Personalized Dental Care at Peninsula Family Dentistry
Dr. Duffy is passionate about helping each patient with his or her unique needs. When it comes to caring for you, his focus is on you and both your dental and overall health. Dr. Duffy and his experienced team provide the best care for each person in your family by getting to know them and helping each of you meet your oral health needs.
Dr. Duffy is proud to care for our local communities beyond Gig Harbor proper, including the Key Peninsula, Fox Island, Gig Harbor North, Port Orchard, and South Kitsap!
Receiving the Best Personalized Dentures Treatment in Gig Harbor, WA
Dentures are a common and effective solution for people who have lost some or all of their teeth. By understanding the different types of dentures, their benefits, and the process of getting and caring for them, you can decide if they are right for you. Be assured that you are not alone during your dental treatments, as Dr. Duffy will be there to help you decide whether dentures are right for you.
If you are considering dentures, fill out our Request an Appointment form or call our office at Peninsula Family Dentistry today!
