Dentures in Emeryville, CA

Losing all of your baby teeth as a child is a gradual and exciting process. As each tooth falls out, you can tuck it under your pillow for a special surprise and watch in awe as a new adult tooth takes its place. Losing all of your teeth as an adult, however, is devastating. Life without teeth can be incredibly difficult—whether you lose them one by one or need them extracted due to severe infection, decay, gum disease, or trauma. If you have experienced complete tooth loss, you are far from alone. The prevalence of total tooth loss among adults 65 or older is around 13%, and that percentage only increases with age. So, how do we remedy this challenging dental problem? With dentures, you can regain your smile and restore your ability to eat and speak confidently.

At San Francisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants, we know that dentures are not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. That’s why Dr. Magno provides various denture options tailored to each patient’s unique dental needs and smile goals.

Understanding Traditional Dentures

Traditional full and partial dentures are an affordable option for replacing missing teeth. Partial dentures replace multiple missing teeth on the upper or lower arch, leaving gaps in the prosthetic for your remaining teeth. In contrast, a full denture replaces the entire row of upper or lower teeth. Both of these prosthetics feature a pink base that supports artificial teeth, forming a complete smile. Partial dentures also include metal or acrylic brackets, which help them anchor to remaining healthy teeth.

While they are still widely used, traditional dentures have some notable drawbacks. A full upper denture uses saliva and suction to stay in place, which requires the base to cover the roof of your mouth. While this prevents the denture from shifting, the upper denture plate covers your upper palate’s tastebuds, limiting your ability to fully taste your foods. Additionally, this pink base can feel bulky in your mouth, causing discomfort or even triggering a gag reflex.

Lower full dentures rest on your gums and jawbone, which are not the most stable foundations. Initially, your jawbone may be strong, but tooth loss leads to bone resorption—the gradual loss of bone mass. As the jawbone weakens and loses density, your dentures no longer fit snugly against the contours of your mouth. This instability can make traditional dentures uncomfortable or even painful, as the constant shifting can irritate your gums. But why does your bone shrink to the point where dentures no longer fit comfortably?

Traditional dentures only replace the tooth’s crowns—the part of the tooth visible above the gum line. They do not replace the roots, which are embedded in the jawbone. Without the stimulation provided by tooth roots, the jawbone begins to shrink over time, gradually altering your jaw structure and the shape of your face. These changes create ill-fitting dentures. In some cases, significant bone resorption can also make it difficult to replace missing teeth with dentures supported by traditional dental implants.

Fortunately, Dr. Magno provides another stable solution with implant dentures supported by mini dental implants!

Securing Dentures With Mini Dental Implants

At San Francisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants, Dr. Magno uses mini dental implants to support dentures.

Dentures in Emeryville, CA | Dr. Rose Magno

These implants are less than 3 millimeters in diameter and consist of only one piece. To place mini implants, Dr. Magno uses a minimally invasive process, requiring no incisions or stitches. First, she will numb the area using a local anesthetic. Then, Dr. Magno makes a small pilot hole in the gums and jawbone, only big enough for the narrow implant to fit. Afterward, she carefully screws the implant in place. Mini dental implants are remarkably stable after placement, so Dr. Magno can secure a temporary denture the same day she places the implants!

Compared to dentures anchored by larger traditional dental implants, the healing time for a mini implant-supported denture is relatively quick! With a minimally invasive placement that Dr. Magno can complete in just one appointment, you can visit our practice without teeth and leave with a beautiful and functional smile.

Additionally, implant dentures ensure long-term bone health because they replace the crowns and roots! With dental implants, your bone will better maintain its shape and structure.

Implant Denture Options

Dr. Magno offers three types of implant dentures. These stable restorations include:

  • Snap-on denture: This prosthetic can “snap” on and off your implants with ease! With a snap-on denture, Dr. Magno can remove that bulky upper plate, freeing your taste buds and making your denture much more comfortable. If your current traditional denture is in good condition, she may be able to convert it into a snap-on denture for you!
  • Semi-permanent roundhouse bridge: A roundhouse bridge is a denture alternative that eliminates the need for a denture base and uses the highest quality materials. The semi-permanent variety is only removed during your routine visits to San Francisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants. During these visits, Dr. Magno will professionally clean and maintain the bridge. Since you never remove it yourself, your smile feels secure and completely natural.
  • Permanent roundhouse bridge: Dr. Magno permanently cements this premium prosthetic to your dental implants. Supported by additional mini implants, this restoration functions just like natural teeth. With no bulky pink base, your upper and lower bridges blend seamlessly with your smile. These durable and beautiful restorations restore your confidence and let you smile freely again!

No matter which implant denture option you choose, Dr. Magno can provide you with stunning and stable dentures. With over 25 years of experience, she has helped patients like you regain their confidence through beautifully restored smiles. Her passion and commitment to dentistry ensure your smile is in expert hands.

Restore Your Smile With Dentures From Dr. Magno!

Losing all of your teeth as an adult can be distressing. Replacing them as soon as possible is important for your dental health and overall quality of life. At our practice, Dr. Magno offers both traditional and implant dentures to expertly restore your smile. Whichever restoration you need, she and her caring team are committed to meeting your needs and helping you achieve a comfortable, lasting smile you’ll love.

Contact San Francisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants to learn how our innovative dentures can change your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional dentures enable you to eat a wider variety of foods than if you had no teeth. However, they may still make certain foods harder to eat. Tough meats, hard vegetables, and sticky foods can be challenging to break down because the dentures may not stay securely in place. Loose dentures can make eating more difficult and sometimes painful, which can lead to changes in your diet and nutrition.

Implant dentures, however, are much stronger and allow you to bite and chew with greater force. With a restoration like a permanent roundhouse bridge, you can eat even the toughest of foods. The dental implants anchoring your false teeth ensure your bite remains strong and secure!

The price of dentures depends on which restoration you prefer. Traditional dentures are the least expensive, as they don’t use dental implants. Of course, the more implants Dr. Magno needs to use, the more expensive the restoration will be.

However, if you are concerned about the cost of an implant denture, we encourage you to contact us! Dr. Magno and her team will gladly answer any insurance coverage questions. We also work with a third-party financing company that offers flexible plans to break your price down into manageable monthly payments!

It may take some time, but you’ll eventually get used to the feel of dentures in your mouth. However, traditional dentures can lose their secure fit over time as your jawbone resorbs, making them feel unstable. While denture relines and rebases can restore their fit, these are only temporary solutions.

An implant-supported denture may also require an adjustment period, but its immediate functionality is impressive. Since these dentures won’t slip or loosen, you won’t need to worry about instability or adjustments. Once you get used to them, implant dentures will feel very comfortable.

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