Dentures, Implant Dentures, & Partial Dentures in Valparaiso
providing exceptional customized & comprehensive dental care
Dentures May Be The Best Solution To Restore your Smile
If you have lost all, or most of, your natural teeth then dentures may be the best dental solution to restore your smile and your ability to chew. According to the American College of Prosthodontists more than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth and 120 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth. These numbers are expected to grow in the next two decades. The most common reason for tooth loss is periodontal disease (gum disease), but other reasons for tooth loss are dental decay, dry mouth, trauma, cancer and bruxism (grinding of teeth). Certain systemic conditions also result in multiple missing teeth. One of the most common genetic defects affecting teeth is called ectodermal dysplasia and individuals with this symptom usually have complete tooth loss. About 23 million individuals are completely edentulous and about 12 million are edentulous in one arch.
It is important to replace missing teeth for proper chewing of food, jaw support, social pleasures such as dating and dining, and an attractive smile. At Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics our denture treatment options provide outstanding function and esthetics for optimal oral health. While smiles are extremely important for an individual’s self-confidence, dentures are just as important for chewing and enjoying food. For some patients, dentures may be the best dental solution for replacing their missing teeth and smile.
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Dr. Drone is a native of Wheatfield, IN and has been practicing dentistry since 2003 and opened his private practice in Valparaiso, IN in 2007. Dr. Drone earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Indiana University School of Dentistry and earned his advanced specialty degrees in Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics from Indiana University School of Dentistry and Medicine.
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Call Our Office Today At (219) 462-2564
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are a full arch tooth replacement option for all of your missing teeth or if several of your teeth cannot be saved due to extensive decay, trauma, damaged, or broken. A denture can be designed to replace either upper and lower jaws or a single jaw. Dr. Drone, a prosthodontist, is an expert in the restoration and replacement of teeth. At Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics, we recognize the functional and cosmetic desires in replacing all your missing teeth. Dr. Drone will evaluate your oral health and discuss the variety of denture designs and styles available for your unique needs.
Different Types of Dentures
Dentures come in a wide variety of designs and styles. All dentures will be hand-crafted by Dr. Drone and our in-house dental laboratory. Dentures can be made of traditional denture acrylic, customized dental resin (milled from a resin block), zirconia (ceramic denture), or Pekkton, combination of resin material and zirconia material. Regardless of the type of material in fabricating the denture, there are three common types of dentures.
A partial denture is a removable bridge with denture teeth attached to a metal or resin framework. The partial dentures mimic the color and shade of your teeth and gums. A partial is commonly used when replacing a long span of missing teeth on the upper or lower jaw. The partial denture fits securely in the mouth because there are surrounding teeth to hold it comfortably and securely in place.
Removable dentures are a good option for patients who are missing all of their teeth or their remaining teeth cannot be saved. With this solution dental implants are not used to improve the fit of the dentures. Without dental implants, the dentures are not as comfortable or as effective in chewing or speaking. Individuals may have to use denture adhesives to improve the fit or “suction” of the denture and this type of prosthetic option is the least expensive option compared to implant overdentures.
Many individuals would like to have a “tighter-fitting” denture and dental implants are an excellent dental solution to improve the fit of the denture. Dental implants have a very high success rate and are very effective in securing the denture to your jawbone. There are many designs and styles of implant dentures and are very specific to one’s unique needs. Two or more dental implants are placed into the jawbone and the dentures “snap or clip” on and off an implant attachment (locator attachment, ball attachment, conus abutment) or titanium bar with ease.
The main benefits of implant overdentures are:
- Individuals will have a more stable and comfortable fit since there is less movement of the dentures.
- The addition of dental implants, in many cases, eliminates the need for messy denture adhesives.
- Implant denture patient have significant improvement in chewing function.
- Implants allow the jawbone and gums to more healthy by eliminating any rubbing of the denture.
- Dental implants prevent the jawbone from further deterioration.
All-on-4 is one of the most popular denture procedures today. Many individuals who have regular dentures do not like to wear them because they move around too much causing chewing and speech issues and low self-confidence. A more secure option is a permanent full dental bridge that is permanently anchored to 4 dental implants. During this procedure 4 dental implants are placed into the jawbone and a dental bridge is securely attached to the dental implants in one day. The main benefits with an all-on-4 fixed dental bridge are high stability, superior chewing comfort, improved speech and stunning cosmetic appearance.
Candidates For Dentures
If you are missing all, most, or some of your teeth then you might be a good candidate for dentures. Many patients have an existing denture that are loose fitting, worn teeth, broken teeth, require denture adhesives for tighter fit or the color of the teeth and gums are faded or discolored then a new denture is highly recommended. The American College of Prosthodontists recommends a new denture every 5 years. When an individual loses their teeth the jawbone shrinks forever and ill-fitting dentures can increase the resorption of the jawbone so it is essential to have bi-annual exams at Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics for Dr. Drone to assess the fit of your existing denture and evaluate the health of your gums and bone.
We Provide the Best outcomes
Dental materials are ever changing and improving, but the clinical skills and knowledge of the dentist makes a significant difference in every outcome in dentistry. Prosthodontics is a recognized dental specialty by the American Dental Association. Prosthodontists have advanced education and training with expertise in: cosmetic dentistry, dental materials, designing dental bridges, review of literature, advanced technology, state-of-the-art techniques, and extensive training in clinical and dental laboratory procedures. Dr. Michael Drone is a prosthodontist and his knowledge and skills aid him in selecting the best material for you whether it is for a dental crown, dental bridge, dental implants, dentures, removable partial dentures, dental bonding and fillings, or for specialized TeethXpress implant dentistry (All-on-4). Michael Drone Dentistry has a well-known reputation for providing excellent dentistry for patients and you will see that our customized dentures will provide you with a superior result.
Call Our Office Today At (219) 462-2564
Services Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics Offers
Implant Dentistry
Single Tooth Replacement
Multiple Teeth Replacement
Dental Implant Crowns
Dental Implant Bridges
Implant Dentures
Sleep Apnea Therapy
Cosmetic Dentistry
Ceramic Inlays & Onlays
Professional Teeth Whitening
Aesthetic Dental Bonding
Porcelain Veneers
Dental Cleaning Exams
Oral Hygiene and Care
Gum Disease Treatment
Bruxism & TMJ Therapy
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Tooth Extractions
Dental Fillings
Dental Crowns
Dentures
Teeth in an Hour
Root Canal
Emergency
Professional Involvement
We work with a dedicated team of professionals to make sure that your experience is the absolute best it can be. From our friendly front office staff, the assistants who work closely with Dr. Drone, our hygiene staff that helps our patients walk away with beautifully clean teeth and easy-to-understand dental knowledge, to the other specialists we are honored to work with; our knowledgeable dental staff will care for you every step of the way.
Exemplary Patient Outcomes
We understand the importance of having a healthy, comfortable bite. We are able to provide each patient with excellent quality restorative dental solutions. An in-office consultation will allow us to diagnose and determine how your unique needs can best be met through our restorative dental options.