Dentures

Dentures are an affordable way to replace natural teeth lost to trauma, extractions, or the aging process. At The Brooklyn Dental Center, serving the Flatbush and Prospect Lefferts Gardens neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York, experienced general and cosmetic dentist Chinar Mahadkar, DDS, regularly prescribes dentures to adults. Dentures function like your natural teeth and make it easy to bite and chew confidently. Call The Brooklyn Dental Center today to explore the benefits of dentures, or book your appointment online. 

Are dentures only for people 50 and older?

Many people associate dentures with getting older, but they provide an excellent tooth replacement option for adults of all ages. If you’ve lost multiple permanent teeth, dentures restore your smile and reduce the risk of more serious issues, like gum recession and bone loss. 

What are the types of dentures?

At The Brooklyn Dental Center, Dr. Mahadkar offers several types of dentures, including:

Partial dentures

Dr. Mahadkar recommends partial dentures if you’re missing a few of your teeth. Partial dentures look like orthodontic retainers. They have a metal framework, plastic gum tissue, and artificial teeth. The metal framework attaches to small metal clasps bonded to your existing natural teeth.

Complete dentures

Complete dentures replace your upper or lower dental arch. These dentures have a metallic baseplate, plastic gum tissue, and an entire row of artificial teeth. 

Before putting complete dentures into your mouth, you apply an adhesive to the top or bottom. The adhesive bonds to your natural gum tissue, preventing the dentures from shifting.

Implant-retained dentures

Dr. Mahadkar recommends implant-retained dentures if you want dentures that don’t require daily removal. 

Implant-retained dentures attach to dental implants –– titanium posts that integrate with your jaw or alveolar bone (the bone that supports your upper teeth). 

How long does it take to get dentures?

The time it takes to get dentures depends on the type.

For example, getting partial or complete dentures typically takes 2-3 weeks. Dr. Mahadkar takes digital scans of your mouth, and a denture laboratory uses those scans to design and create a custom denture that fits comfortably.

Conversely, getting implant-retained dentures takes several months. That’s because you must undergo an implant-placement procedure first — a quick surgery that involves Dr. Mahadkar inserting titanium posts into your empty tooth sockets. 

After your mouth heals and the implants integrate with your jaw or alveolar bone, Dr. Mahadkar scans your mouth and a denture lab creates a set of custom implant-retained dentures.

How long do dentures last?

Complete and partial dentures last 5-7 years*, but you can extend their use by practicing good oral hygiene. Dr. Mahadkar recommends rinsing your dentures in cool tap water after meals and snacks and soaking them each night in an approved denture cleaning solution.

Implant-retained dentures often last a lifetime. The materials these dentures are made from are very tough and withstand the forces of biting and chewing. 

Call The Brooklyn Dental Center today to request a denture appointment, or book your visit