Category: Types of Dentures

Cosmetic teeth whitening is a popular treatment option for South Holland area patients interested in rejuvenating their smile when yellowing or discoloration occur. The teeth can become darker due to medications, food, beverages, and even personal habits. The years can have a negative effect on the smile, and some patients are even combating genetics that may result in duller teeth. For some, a dental cleaning may be enough to remove surface stains, but in other cases, professional-grade products and treatments may be more desirable.

Professional cleaning options available at Pleasant Dental include take-home whitening trays and in-office power bleaching. Both are effective at addressing surface stains and deeper stains and are commonly used for patients who are unhappy with the results they are achieving with over-the-counter solutions. Additionally, patients may want faster results, which can be reached with professional guidance.

It is important for patients to have clean teeth before they start. This removes plaque and tartar, which may negatively affect the results of the procedure. Dr. Dean Dietrich will educate patients on the process of their whitening treatment and help them understand that it is crucial to start with a dental cleaning. A dental cleaning provides a desirable foundation to start with and can allow the whitening products to whiten evenly.

South Holland area patients interested in learning more about professional dental cleanings and brightening of the smile with teeth bleaching options are encouraged to book a consultation appointment and examination with Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental. He walks his patients through the process to help them better understand the purpose of each step and learn how it provides effective, affordable results. If you want to find out if professional-grade teeth whitening is appropriate for you, contact us today to visit our team and learn about the ways in which we can rejuvenate the appearance of your smile!

A full denture replaces all of the upper teeth, or all of the lower teeth. If you are wearing a denture, or a complete set with uppers and lowers, then chances are you’ve already had more than your share of dental problems. After years of contending with gum disease, infections, or chronic toothaches, the last thing you want is problems with your dentures. Don’t worry; Dr. Dietrich can help.

What is the problem?

Why doesn’t your denture fit right? That question has several possible answers, beginning with your dentist. Making a denture isn’t as easy as it sounds. Dr. Dietrich has extensive experience, and he takes great care with all of the little details that make a big difference in the result. If your dentures came from an inexperienced or careless dentist, they might have never stood a chance of fitting. However, even if it fits perfectly when new, it will probably become loose over time. This happens because your gums and bone continue receding, evolving, and adapting to the loss of teeth.

If you have a good denture, made by a good dentist, it should fit snugly but comfortably when new, assuming it is an upper denture. Lowers are a little different story. They have to leave room for your tongue, so they are horseshoe shaped, leaving very little surface to form suction. Since the lower jaw and tongue move every time a person speaks or eats, it can be challenging to keep a denture in place.

What is the solution?

Again, there are a few different possibilities. The best choice depends on the problem, and your preferences.

Your options include:

• Adhesive – If your denture is only slightly loose, a bit of over the counter adhesive may do the trick.
• Reline – If the denture has gradually became loose, it may need to be relined. Dr. Dietrich will take a new impression, and the inside of the denture will be re-fitted to the current contours of your mouth.
• Replacement – If you have a poorly made or unattractive denture, the best solution is to get a new one from a skilled dentist such as Dr. Dietrich.
• Implants – This is the most permanent, and usually the best, solution. Just a few implants can stabilize a removable denture, eliminating the risk of slipping, and the need for adhesive. Implants also help slow bone resorption.

You can have a beautiful, comfortable, convenient smile. If your denture doesn’t fit right, call [phone] and schedule an appointment at Pleasant Dental. Let Dr. Dietrich help.

Thanks to modern dental care, the rate of edentulism (tooth loss) is lower than ever, and continues to drop. However, it is still a prevalent condition, usually caused by gum disease, decay, or injury. Whatever the reason, if you have missing teeth, replacing them is important for your health, appearance, and chewing efficiency. Here at Pleasant Dental in Dolton, IL, we offer several options for filling that gap, to meet your needs and fit your budget.

Your options for replacing missing teeth include implant supported restorations, fixed bridges, and traditional full or partial dentures. The best choice depends on several factors, including your oral health, existing teeth, and bone structure. Each option has unique benefits. In recent years, partial dentures have become less popular, due to the considerable advantages of dental implants. However, they are still an excellent choice in certain instances.

The benefits of partial dentures include:

• This is the most affordable option in most cases. Implants are considered more economical in the long-term, because they should never need replacing. However, the initial cost of partial dentures is usually lower than implants or bridges. This can be important for patients on a tight budget, especially those without insurance.
• Partial dentures are not attached to your other teeth or bone in any way, making them a great temporary solution. If you are undecided, partials can be worn until you are ready to proceed with another option. They are often provided to implant patients, while the jawbone is healing and the permanent restoration is being fabricated.
• Although implants are a great solution for most people, they are not for everyone. If you are in a hurry, prefer to avoid surgery, or have experienced severe bone loss in your jaw, a bridge or partial may be a better choice. A bridge can only be placed if there are existing teeth in the right places to support it. Those supporting teeth need to be reduced and crowned, even if they are healthy. If neither implants nor bridges are right for you, partial dentures can be a great long-term solution.

When you visit Pleasant Dental, Dr. Dietrich will explain your options, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. He will help you make the best choice for your health, esthetics, and budget. Call [phone] and schedule an appointment today.

A partial denture is a removable appliance used to replace some, but not all, teeth in an arch. Dr. Dietrich of Pleasant Dental offers several tooth replacement options, because everyone has different needs. Some people prefer the stability of a fixed restoration, while others consider removable appliances more convenient. Partial dentures are also popular because they are fast and economical, and you have the option of changing your mind later, and getting a fixed appliance.

There are several types of partial dentures. The best choice depends on a number of factors, including your oral health and personal preferences.

Flippers

This is the least expensive and probably most common type of removable partial denture. It includes a gum-colored plastic base with false teeth attached, and metal clasps to secure it to existing teeth. It is typically a temporary solution, especially while healing from dental implants.

Cast metal

This tried-and-true design has been in use since the days of Paul Revere, who was a dentist and silversmith in his spare time. The denture is built on a framework of cast metal, creating a stronger appliance and more secure fit than the flipper style. Because the base rests against the teeth, rather than the gums, it retains its stability even as the gumline evolves. The metal is hidden, you your smile will still look beautiful and natural.

Flexible framework

This is one of the more recent innovations in dentistry. A tough, flexible material, usually nylon, is used to create the denture base. It rests against the gum tissue around teeth, which is much more stable than gum tissue at the extraction site. These dentures are durable, stable, and quite comfortable.

Nylon/metal

A combination of the two types described above, this partial denture has the stability of a metal base supported by teeth, with the comfort and convenience of a flexible nylon denture. The clasps are made of a gum-colored flexible material, for convenience and aesthetics.

Dr. Dietrich will work with you to find the best way to fill those gaps in your smile! Call Pleasant Dental at [phone] and schedule a consultation today. We are located in Dolton, IL, serving residents of many surrounding communities such as South Holland.

Replacing missing teeth is important for your confidence, comfort, and oral health. Typically, your options are dentures, bridges, or dental implants. If you are like most people, when you hear “denture” you think of a full plate, replacing all of the upper or lower teeth. An often-overlooked option for replacing several, but not all, teeth is a partial denture. In Illinois, patients rely on the expertise of Dr. Dean Dietrich, at Pleasant Dental, to help them understand their options, and make this important decision.

What are partial dentures?

Partial dentures, often simply called “partials,” are a removable alternative to bridges. They consist of replacement teeth, attached to a gum colored base, and sometimes a metal framework. They are held in place by clasps, which slip around existing natural teeth. The supporting teeth may be fitted with dental crowns, to improve the fit of attachments and strengthen the teeth.

Bridges vs. partials

Replacing missing teeth with partial dentures can improve the appearance of your smile, make eating and speaking easier, and help prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. However, a fixed dental bridge can also accomplish these goals. The better choice depends on your situation and preferences.

Partial dentures are removable, making oral hygiene much easier. Food particles, bacteria, and plaque can become trapped under a dental bridge. Special tools such as bridge floss threaders help remove this buildup, but make your oral hygiene routine more tedious. Inefficient cleaning can lead to decay of the teeth supporting the bridge.

Dental bridges are preferred by some patients because they are permanently attached. Although cleaning under a bridge may be challenging, some people prefer not to remove and replace an appliance regularly.

Making your decision

It is important to choose a skilled, experienced dentist whom you trust. Dr. Dietrich, named a Top Chicago Dentist by the Consumers’ Research Council of America, has been creating beautiful smiles for over 20 years. He can help you choose the best option for your situation. He also offers dental implants, which can securely support nearly any type of fixed or removable restoration. Call [phone] today and schedule an appointment to learn more about your options.

While the name would suggest otherwise, the “permanent” set of teeth that we all get during our elementary school years are not, in fact, permanent. Instead, these teeth can be lost due to trauma, decay, disease, or simply the aging process. If you’ve lost a tooth, or are noticing that several teeth seem to be weak or loose; you may be starting to have replacement tooth conversations with your dentist.

While many patients are dismayed by the need for these conversations, the good news is that you have several great options for replacement teeth. From implants, to bridge and crown appliances, to dentures, patients can choose from several solutions that bring back their great smile and give them the confidence to smile brightly once again.

While dental implants and crown and bridge appliances are good options when a tooth or several teeth are missing, many patients find that dentures are a better choice if they need to replace an entire set of top or bottom teeth. Furthermore, most patients are thrilled to find out that dentures today have come a long way since the dentures their parents or grandparents used. Instead, today’s dentures are sturdy, comfortable, and fit securely.

Patients have several options for dentures including those that are placed immediately and those that are customized to be a perfect match to the patient’s natural teeth. Additionally, patients can opt for dentures that snap into place or those that are held tight with adhesive.

Regardless of the choice, patients can feel confident knowing that they have a great smile and an improved appearance. In addition to the smile, dentures offer several other benefits to patients, including aiding their overall dental health. When teeth are missing, the mouth and face lose necessary support. This can appear in many ways such as the remaining teeth becoming crooked or shifting out of place, or the face beginning to droop. Dentures can help the remaining teeth stay in place and the mouth stay healthy and free from disease.

For more information about dentures in the Dolton area, call Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental today.

When a tooth is missing, it would be nice to think that money would not be a factor in your decision. Your smile is likely your greatest asset and deserves only the best. Unfortunately, for most Chicago-area patients, it’s important to find a comfortable, healthy, and affordable solution that gives them the smile they want and within the budget that they have available.

Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental is pleased to inform his patients that they don’t need to choose between quality and affordability. With the latest dental technologies, today’s dentures offer comfort, convenience, and great appearance – all at a cost effective price point. Dr. Dietrich has helped countless patients improve both the health of their mouth and the appearance of their smiles with dentures.

When choosing dentures, many patients are curious about the process. Common questions include, “How long does the process take?” “Will people know that I’m wearing dentures?” and “Will I be in pain?”

Receiving your dentures will likely take several visits to the dentist’s office. First, the patient must have impressions taken which are sent to a dental lab and used to create a set of custom-made dentures. Once those dentures are ready, patients return to have the dentures fit. Patients can choose between securing the dentures with a dental adhesive and snapping them into place using dental implants.

The process is not painful, but patients may have a bit of discomfort at first as they get used to their new teeth. It’s important to note that you should not feel any pain. If you do, return to the dentist to have the dentures refit.

Finally, Dr. Dietrich assures patients that unless they share the information, no one will ever need to know that a patient has dentures. Today’s dentures are custom-made and natural looking. They fit better and give patients confidence to smile happily, knowing that the dentures are not going to slip or slide out of place.

For more information about dentures, call the Pleasant Dental office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dietrich. He is committed to helping patients achieve their best and brightest smiles.