Indianapolis dentist provides restorative dentistry, including dentures

Missing teeth can affect a patient’s self-esteem, confidence, speech, and ability to eat comfortably. Impaired oral function may also affect nutritional wellness and lead to loss of bone, causing surrounding healthy teeth to shift or loosen.

At Washington Street Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Church has been helping patients and their families achieve their healthiest and happiest smiles since 1998. A graduate of University of Kentucky and the Misch International Implant Institute, and member of the American College of Oral Implantology, who has attained a Fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Dr. Church provides many options for dental restoration, including:

• Dental implants – titanium posts are surgically inserted into the bone of the jaw to replace the root of one or several missing teeth. As the post naturally fuses with the bone, maximum stability and support for nearby teeth are achieved. A dental implant is capped with an aesthetically pleasing dental crown
• Dental bridge – spanning the gap that is caused by the loss of teeth, a dental bridge fills in the space with prosthetic teeth that are typically anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap
• Dentures – dating back to the BC era, dentures are removable artificial teeth that may be held in place with suction or adhesives

Modern dentures

With a rich and extensive history, dentures may be the recommended treatment in certain instances, based upon a patient’s extent of tooth loss, amount of healthy bone, and lifestyle or financial considerations. The two main types of dentures are:

• Full or complete
  • When a whole arch of teeth are missing or need to be extracted
  • Available in two forms:
    • Conventional – if a patient’s teeth need to be extracted prior to the placement of dentures, the gums and bone require time to heal, typically up to twelve weeks
    • Immediate – designed for immediate placement, these dentures are made in a dental lab prior to extraction. Because bone and gum may recede over time, an immediate denture may be a temporary solution and be replaced with a conventional denture after healing has completed
• Partial
  • When healthy teeth remain
  • May be connected with a metal framework to anchor it

Today’s dentures are more natural looking than ever and may be held in place with suction or adhesives. Dentures are removed daily for optimal oral hygiene. Dr. Church and our team at Washington Street Dentistry can recommend a personalized plan of care, depending upon each patient’s unique needs.

Washington Street Dentistry serves patients throughout greater Indianapolis, New Palestine, Cumberland, East Indianapolis, Greenfield, Lawrence, and surrounding areas. Call us today at (317) 890-4455 for a comprehensive consultation.

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