Dentures
Dentists Dr. Stephen Malone and Dr. Brent Dickenson of Knoxville, TN, take pride in customizing the highest quality dentures and providing alternative denture solutions. They have the expertise and experience to provide a wide variety of dentures for patients with missing teeth. In addition to full and partial removable dentures, they offer dental implant supported and dental implant retained options for better-than-ever function and long-lasting results.
“Patients come to me desperate to find a solution so they can eat the foods they have always loved and can live a normal life,” said Dr. Malone, in a recent interview. “Imagine sitting down to Thanksgiving Dinner with all of your family around you and not being able to keep your prosthetic teeth in place long enough to comfortably chew the turkey or laugh at the family’s jokes. You’d do just about anything to have your teeth back. The good news is that with today’s dental implant options, we can find a solution that works for you.”
Traditional Removable Dentures
Today’s custom fabricated dentures are nearly undetectable. A “full” denture is used when all of the teeth are missing on the upper or lower jaw. Full dentures are made of an acrylic plastic base that is colored to look like gum tissue, and they support a full set of prosthetic teeth. Traditionally, a full denture is held in the mouth by forming a seal with the gums. “Partial” dentures also are usually made with an acrylic plastic base, and they support prosthetic teeth to fill gaps due to missing teeth. Traditionally, partial dentures are held in the mouth by using clasps and rests that are attached to the adjacent natural teeth. Both full and partial traditional dentures are “removable” by the patient for cleaning and while asleep at night.
If you have worn a removable denture for a while, the bone tissue under the denture has started to resorb, the bone has decreased in size and changed in shape. The gum tissue overlying the bone has conformed to the new contour of the bone. The result is a denture that no long fits ideally. The movement of the denture can be quite frustrating…even uncomfortable. The adhesion of your denture may be inadequate, contributing to slippage. Changes in your bite can affect your jaw joints and muscles, adding to discomfort.
Let us improve your denture solution and improve your life! We are well known throughout Knoxville for finding optimal implant and denture solutions for patients who have given up hope.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Today, both full and partial full dentures can be supported on dental implants that are surgically placed in the jawbone. These “implant-supported” dentures are snapped into place on the implants using a ball and socket type of attachments or a metal bar that runs along the gum line and on which the denture rests and is clipped. Implant supported dentures are designed to be removed by the patient for cleaning and can be removed before sleep.
Implant-supported dentures have advantages.
The main advantages of implant-supported dentures are increased biting strength and non-slippage, which provide for increased comfort, easier eating, and improved social confidence. This enhanced stability also results in longer lasting dentures. What’s more, mini implants can be used with implant-supported dentures, and each miniature implant acts like a tooth root, not only supporting the denture but also stimulating bone growth. This bone growth helps preserve the natural facial structure.
Implant-supported denture treatment is easy.
Mini implants can be easily inserted in your jawbone using a local anesthetic. There are no sutures, pain or months of post-operative healing prior to receiving your denture. In the first treatment appointment for an implant-supported denture, impressions of your mouth will be made, and we will schedule you for a second appointment. Between the two appointments, we will design the denture to be fabricated by our preferred, expert lab technician. At the second appointment, your mini implants, denture attachments, and the denture will be placed—all in one appointment.
Fixed Hybrid Dentures
Hybrid (All-on-4) dentures are a “fixed” alternative to traditional or implant-supported full dentures. They are called “All-on-4” because edentulous patients can have an upper or lower full denture fixed on as few as four dental implants. These fixed dentures cannot be removed by the patient, are worn during sleep, and are cleaned like natural teeth with special attention to cleaning under the edge where the denture meets your gum tissue. Depending on the circumstances, sometimes more than four implants are used in a jaw for more predictable results.
A hybrid denture can be fixed on both jaws or on just one jaw, depending on the needs and desire of the patient. This is an especially desirable type of denture for the lower jaw where a traditional full denture has less adhesion and the tongue easily dislodges it. Hybrid dentures are the first choice for many patients because they do not need to be removed and inserted by the patient, they provide the ultimate stability, and they are the most lifelike in function and care.
Your satisfaction with your denture is priority #1.
We want you to be totally happy with your denture. With so many choices and considerations, Dr. Malone and Dr. Dickenson spend a lot of time with patients, explaining the options and helping them consider what is right for them. We aim to help you learn about your choices and make treatment decisions that are right for you, so if you need time to think or want to bring a family member with you to learn about the options and help you decide, we support this. If you want a second opinion, we understand. If you need a second opinion, we can do this as well.
We spend time making sure the design of your denture will optimally fit, function and appear naturally beautiful. For all our dentures, we use the latest, highest quality dental materials, ensuring the most beautiful esthetics and long-lasting results. No matter which type of denture you choose from among those appropriate for you, you will be given detailed information on what to expect and do as you get used to wearing your denture. And, we will have you return to our office soon after placement of your denture to evaluate if any adjustments are needed for comfort.
We strive to make dental treatment affordable. If you have a dental benefits plan, keep in mind that your plan may cover some or all of the cost of your denture(s). We also offer financing options, including interest-free financing for up to 12 or 24 months.
Schedule Your Initial Denture Consultation Today! (865) 622-4589
We invite you to stop by our conveniently located office at 264 S. Peters Road or call (865) 622-4589 for an appointment. Learn what is possible for your circumstances, ask questions, and begin the process of deciding which type of denture is most appropriate for you.