Losing your teeth is emotional. It affects how you eat, how you speak, and whether you feel comfortable smiling at a stranger. At Smile Santa Maria Dental, we understand that getting dentures is a big transition.
Dr. Issa takes a personalized approach to dentures. We don’t believe in the “one size fits all” look. Our goal in Santa Maria, CA, is to design a smile that fits your face, supports your facial muscles to prevent that “sunken” look, and lets you eat dinner without worrying about your teeth slipping.
Full Dentures Vs. Partial Dentures
Which option is right for you depends entirely on the health of your remaining teeth. Dr. Issa believes in conservative dentistry. We always want to save healthy, natural teeth if we can, as they help preserve your jawbone.
- Full dentures: These replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth. They rely on suction (and a precise custom fit) to stay in place. Modern full dentures are much lighter and more natural-looking than the heavy plates of the past.
- Partial dentures: If you still have sturdy natural teeth, we use them as anchors. A partial denture fills in the gaps, fitting around your existing teeth like a puzzle piece. This is often better than extracting good teeth because the partial prevents your remaining teeth from shifting and restores your ability to chew on both sides of your mouth.
How It Fits You
We’ve all seen dentures that look like a row of perfect white piano keys. That isn’t realistic.
We use modern, high-quality acrylics and ceramics to create dentures that mimic natural gum tissue and tooth enamel. We can add subtle variations in tooth shape and color so they look like your teeth, not a factory-made set. We involve you in the design process, like choosing the shade and shape that makes you feel like yourself again.
Modern Denture Materials & Design
The biggest complaint with traditional dentures is movement. Lower dentures, in particular, are notorious for “floating” because the tongue dislodges them while you speak or eat.
Dr. Issa offers a solution: Implant-Supported Dentures. Because of his extensive surgical training in France and Brazil, Dr. Issa can place dental implants that act as anchors for your denture. You don’t need to see an outside surgeon for this.
- How it works: We place 2 to 4 titanium implants into your jawbone. The denture has special “locator” attachments that snap onto these implants.
- The benefit: No more messy glue. No more floating. You can eat steak, apples, and corn on the cob without the dentures moving. It effectively changes your life from “coping” with dentures to forgetting you have them.
The Learning Curve: Honest Expectations
Getting dentures is a process. It’s not like flipping a switch. Your brain has to relearn and get used to how to chew and speak.
- Sore spots: In the beginning, your gums might be tender as they toughen up. This is normal. We schedule adjustment appointments to relieve any pressure points.
- Speaking: You might sound a little funny for the first few days (often a slight lisp) as your tongue gets used to the new appliance. Reading a book out loud at home is the best way to train your mouth quickly.
- Taste and sensation: An upper denture covers the roof of your mouth, which can slightly alter how you taste food. This is another reason many patients choose implant-supported options, which can often be made “horseshoe” shaped to leave the roof of the mouth open.
Why Do They Get Loose Over Time?
A denture that fits perfectly today might feel loose in five years. This isn’t a flaw in the denture; it’s biology.
When you lose a tooth root, the jawbone in that area stops receiving stimulation. Over time, the bone naturally shrinks or “resorbs.” As your gum ridge shrinks, the denture loses its grip. Because of this, dentures require maintenance. We perform relines. Adding new material to the inside of the denture to compensate for these changes and keep the fit snug. This is why regular checkups are still important, even if you don’t have natural teeth.
Restoring Your
Confidence
Whether you need your first set of dentures, need to replace an old, loose set, or are interested in locking them down with implants, we can help. Dr. Issa combines artistry with technical precision to give you a smile that feels secure. Ready to smile without holding back? Call Smile Santa Maria Dental today for a consultation.