Quality Dentures Crafted for Your Lifestyle
Losing your natural teeth can be emotionally and functionally difficult. Your smile and ability to eat with confidence may be diminished. However, our Brooklyn, NY dentist offers dentures that can beautifully restore both form and function to give you back the smile you deserve. With customized crafting and proper fit, high-quality dentures feel natural and allow you to eat, speak, and laugh with ease again.
If your smile needs some extra support, schedule a consultation with Dr. Aimee Kraft by calling (718) 625-6629.
Types of Dentures
For residents of Brooklyn who have lost some or all of their teeth, dentures can restore your smile and ability to eat. Dr. Kraft offers several types of dentures to meet each patient’s unique needs.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures from Dr. Kraft in Brooklyn replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw. They are held in place by resting on the gums. Complete dentures may be necessary if all or most teeth are missing.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures from Dr. Kraft replace some but not all missing teeth. They attach to natural teeth with clasps to hold them firmly in place. Candidates have some healthy teeth remaining.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures from Dr. Kraft in Brooklyn involve placing dental implants in the jawbone. The dentures then attach securely to these implants for additional stability and improved function.
Denture Materials
Dr. Kraft crafts dentures from biocompatible materials that replicate the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a lightweight and inexpensive plastic commonly used for dentures. It can be tinted and shaded to closely match natural gums and teeth. However, acrylic may stain over time.
Porcelain
Porcelain dentures have an inner acrylic base and porcelain on the exterior. This gives a more lifelike and aesthetic look. However, porcelain can chip more easily than other materials.
Metal Alloys
Metal alloys like chrome cobalt provide a very strong and durable base for dentures. However, the metallic color is less aesthetic looking. Dr. Kraft can add porcelain or acrylic over the metal base.
The Denture Process
Dr. Kraft will guide you through the entire denture process. It typically involves multiple appointments over several weeks.
Initial Consultation
At the first visit, Dr. Kraft will evaluate your dental health and goals. Impressions and measurements of your jaws will be taken. Temporary dentures may be provided.
Fittings
Over the next few weeks, you will return to Dr. Kraft’s Brooklyn office for multiple fittings. This ensures the dentures are the ideal size, shape, fit, and bite alignment. Adjustments will be made.
Insertion Appointment
At the insertion appointment, Dr. Kraft will seat the final dentures and make any final adjustments needed. You’ll receive instructions on how to properly use and care for your new dentures.
Post-Insertion Care
Dr. Kraft will schedule follow-up visits to ensure you are adjusting well to the dentures. Additional realignment or refitting may be needed. He will also review proper cleaning and storage.
Adjusting to Dentures in Brooklyn
Adjusting to dentures takes time and practice. Dr. Kraft provides tips for a comfortable transition.
- Speak slowly when first using dentures to adapt to speaking with teeth again. Reading out loud helps.
- Start with soft, easy-to-chew foods. Slowly work up to harder items as you get used to chewing.
- Use denture adhesives to help stabilize them, especially upper dentures. Reapply adhesives as needed.
- Manage sore spots by having Dr. Kraft adjust the dentures for a better fit.
- Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing gums, tongue, and palate, and rinsing the dentures daily.
- Schedule regular denture cleanings, repairs, and realignment appointments with Dr. Kraft.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper care and maintenance, dentures typically last 5-7 years before needing to be remade or replaced entirely. Partial dentures may need to be remade more frequently than complete dentures. After this time, the fit and function of dentures can deteriorate due to gradual bone loss and changes in the gums and oral cavity.
Small chips or cracks in dentures can often be repaired with composite filling material to restore their integrity and function. However, extensively damaged dentures with multiple fractures or missing teeth usually cannot be effectively repaired and must be completely remade and refitted to the patient’s current mouth shape and dimensions. This requires taking new impressions and creating an entirely new set of custom-fitted dentures.
Wearing removable dentures long-term can accelerate gradual bone loss in the jaw compared to natural teeth which provide stimulation. Implant-supported dentures help minimize this bone loss by using dental implants to securely anchor the dentures and provide needed stimulation to the jawbone.
It is generally recommended to remove dentures and thoroughly clean them every night before bedtime after wearing them all day. However, there may be select cases where a dentist advises leaving dentures in overnight to avoid issues with shifting or losing proper realignment. This should be discussed on an individual basis.