Complete Dentures

Regain Your Confident Smile with Complete Dentures in Chula Vista, CA

Living without a full set of teeth can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting everything from your ability to enjoy your favorite foods to your confidence when smiling. At Smile Expert, we’re dedicated to helping patients from Chula Vista, National City, Bonita, and Imperial Beach regain their smiles with high-quality complete dentures. As a top dentist in Chula Vista, Dr. Nick Addario combines advanced techniques with compassionate care to provide denture solutions that look natural and feel comfortable.

If you’re considering complete dentures, contact our Chula Vista dental professional by calling (619) 656-1788 to learn everything you need to know to make an informed decision about your dental health.

What are Complete Dentures?

Complete dentures are removable oral appliances designed to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. These prosthetics consist of artificial teeth set in a flesh-colored acrylic base that fits over your gums. Dr. Addario creates custom dentures that complement your facial features and restore your ability to speak, eat, and smile with confidence.

There are two main types of complete dentures:

  1. Conventional Dentures: These are made after any remaining teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, which typically takes 8-12 weeks.
  2. Immediate Dentures: These are placed immediately after remaining teeth are removed, providing you with teeth during the healing period.

Benefits of Complete Dentures

Complete dentures offer numerous advantages for patients missing all their teeth. Dr. Addario, a leading Chula Vista dentist, has helped countless patients experience these life-changing benefits:

Restored Chewing Function: Complete dentures allow you to enjoy a wider variety of foods again, improving both nutrition and digestion. While you may need to avoid extremely hard or sticky foods, most patients regain about 70-80% of their natural chewing ability.

Enhanced Appearance: Missing teeth can cause facial muscles to sag, making you appear older than you are. Complete dentures provide support for your facial muscles and lips, helping restore a more youthful appearance and natural smile.

Improved Speech: Having a full set of teeth is crucial for clear pronunciation of many sounds. Complete dentures help patients speak more clearly and confidently in social and professional settings.

Boosted Self-Confidence: Perhaps the most significant benefit reported by Dr. Addario’s patients is the renewed self-confidence that comes with having a complete smile. Many patients from Chula Vista and surrounding communities share how their dentures have helped them feel comfortable smiling, laughing, and engaging socially again.

Cost-Effective Solution: Compared to some other tooth replacement options, complete dentures are a more affordable solution for replacing an entire arch of missing teeth, making them accessible to more patients seeking care from a family dentist in Chula Vista, CA.

Who’s a Candidate for Complete Dentures?

woman smiling at the dentist

Dr. Addario, recognized as one of the best dentists in Chula Vista, evaluates several factors when determining if complete dentures are right for you:

  • Patients Missing All Teeth: Complete dentures are designed for individuals who have lost all their natural teeth in either the upper arch, lower arch, or both.
  • Those with Severely Compromised Teeth: If you have remaining teeth that are severely damaged or decayed beyond repair, extracting these teeth and transitioning to complete dentures might be recommended.
  • Patients with Adequate Bone Structure: While complete dentures don’t require dental implants, having adequate bone structure helps provide better support and stability for your dentures.
  • Those Willing to Adapt: Successful denture wearers understand there’s an adjustment period and are committed to working through the initial adaptation phase.
  • Patients Committed to Oral Hygiene: Even without natural teeth, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for denture success. Candidates should be willing to follow proper denture care routines.
  • Those Unable to Receive Implants: For patients who aren’t candidates for dental implants due to health conditions or financial constraints, complete dentures present an excellent alternative.

If you live in Chula Vista, National City, or other nearby communities and are considering complete dentures, schedule a consultation with Dr. Addario today. Contact our dentist in Chula Vista by calling (619) 656-1788 and he’ll thoroughly evaluate your specific situation and help determine if complete dentures are the right solution for restoring your smile and quality of life.

The Complete Denture Process

Getting fitted for complete dentures with your Chula Vista dentist involves several steps:

  1. Initial Consultation: Dr. Addario will examine your oral health, discuss your goals, and determine if complete dentures are right for you.
  2. Preparatory Procedures: Any necessary extractions or preparatory treatments will be performed to ensure your mouth is ready for dentures.
  3. Impressions and Measurements: Detailed impressions of your mouth will be taken to create dentures that fit perfectly.
  4. Trial Fitting: Before finalizing your dentures, you’ll have a trial fitting to ensure proper fit, function, and appearance.
  5. Final Adjustments: After you receive your dentures, follow-up appointments allow Dr. Addario to make any necessary adjustments for optimal comfort.

Adapting to Your New Dentures

It’s normal to experience an adjustment period when you first start wearing complete dentures. Dr. Addario provides these tips to help you adapt:

  • Start with soft foods and gradually reintroduce harder foods as you become more comfortable
  • Practice speaking by reading aloud to yourself
  • Use denture adhesive if recommended by Dr. Addario
  • Follow a diligent oral hygiene routine to maintain your dentures and oral health

Remember that your gums and jawbone naturally change over time, so regular check-ups with your Chula Vista dentist are essential to ensure your dentures continue to fit properly.

Caring for Your Complete Dentures

Proper denture care is necessary for maintaining their appearance and function:

  • Clean your dentures daily using a soft brush and denture cleaner
  • Soak your dentures overnight in a denture-soaking solution
  • Handle your dentures carefully to avoid dropping and damaging them
  • Remove and rinse your dentures after eating
  • Visit Dr. Addario, your dentist in Chula Vista, CA, regularly for professional dental cleanings and check-ups

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do complete dentures last?

With proper care and maintenance, complete dentures typically last 5-7 years. However, as your mouth naturally changes over time, adjustments or replacements may be necessary. Regular check-ups with your dentist will help determine when these changes are needed.

Will dentures change how I speak?

Initially, you may notice some changes in your speech as you adjust to wearing dentures. Many patients experience a temporary lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain words. However, most people adapt quickly, and these issues resolve with practice and time.

Can I sleep with my dentures in?

Dentists generally recommend removing your dentures at night. This gives your gum tissues a chance to rest and helps prevent potential infections. Soaking your dentures overnight also helps maintain their shape and cleanliness.

Will my complete dentures look natural?

Yes! Modern dentures are designed to look very natural. Dentists take great care to select the right size, shape, and color of teeth to complement your facial features, ensuring your dentures enhance your appearance and boost your confidence.

Taking the Next Step Toward a Renewed Smile at Smile Expert

Complete dentures can be life-changing for individuals missing all their teeth, restoring not just function but also confidence and quality of life. As an experienced dentist in Chula Vista, Dr. Nick Addario is committed to providing exceptional denture services to patients throughout Chula Vista, Otay Mesa, San Ysidro, and South San Diego.

 If you’re considering complete dentures or experiencing issues with your current ones, don’t wait to take action. Schedule a consultation at our Chula Vista dental office today by calling (619) 656-1788 to take the first step toward a beautiful, functional smile that will serve you well for years to come. Your journey to a complete smile begins with a single phone call to your trusted family dentist in Chula Vista, CA.