Removable Partial and Complete Dentures in Lafayette, LA

We want to help our patients maintain their oral health the best they can. Many patients often believe once they have dentures they do not need to go to the dentist unless they need an adjustment on their dentures, but that is not the case.

Regular Dental Exams Matter

It is still important for you to have regular exams with either Dr. Smith or Dr. Domingue in order to maintain your oral health. At each exam, we will perform a necessary oral cancer screening, check your bone levels, and check your dentures for signs of wear.

Oral cancer is one of the deadliest and most disfiguring forms of cancer. Your dentist is your ally in the early detection and treatment of oral cancer. We can see all of the areas of your mouth that you cannot see on your own. Additionally, we have received the proper training to identify early signs of pre-cancer. Treating oral cancer early is essential.

We also monitor your bone levels with special digital imaging. Edentulous patients (without teeth) are more susceptible to bone loss. Bone loss can affect your appearance and the fit of your dentures.

Modern Dentures in Lafayette

When you come to your routine exam, we will also examine your dentures for any unusual signs of wear. This can be an indication that your dentures need an adjustment.
 

How long any dentistry lasts depends largely on the patient. Because your biology, how you care for them, and your lifestyle all play an important role in the longevity of your dentures, it is tough to say without knowing your particular situation.

Longevity of Dentures

For a patient who is completely healthy with minimal bone loss, as long as you take care of your dentures, they should last around five to seven years. Taking care of your dentures is necessary. That means using denture specific cleaners and coming in for regular exams even if you are missing all or most of your teeth.

Dental Exams in Lafayette

When you come in for an exam, Drs. Smith or Domingue will perform an oral cancer screening and look at your dentures for any signs of wear or broken teeth. If they notice that your dentures need a repair, they can either do it for you or send your denture to a qualified dental lab with a quick turnaround. Taking care of maintenance on your dentures is important.

Eventually, as with all dentures, they need replacement. We can help get you fitted for a new set of dentures so you feel comfortable, sore free, and eat the foods you love.

Dentures are a serious investment and taking care of them can extend their life. Caring for dentures or partials doesn't have to be complicated. When you receive dentures in our office, we will give you specific instructions on denture care.

How to Extend the Life of Dentures

Follow these simple steps to extend the life of your dentures and keep them looking and feeling their best:

• Only use products made specifically for denture care to clean your dentures.
• Always keep your dentures moist when they are not in your mouth.
• Take care to not drop your dentures. It may be helpful to pad your counter with towels when you are cleaning your dentures since they can become slippery when they are wet.
• Use cool or lukewarm water to rinse, clean, and soak your dentures. Hot water will cause them to lose their shape. Leaving them in the sun or in a hot car can also ruin your dentures.

Schedule an Appointment in Lafayette

And lastly, it is very important that you keep your regular dental exam and denture cleaning appointments in our office. We will look at your dentures and check the fit to ensure that you are always in optimum health. If we see a problem with your dentures, we can make a repair either in our office or send them out to our dental lab to fix them for you. Don't hesitate to give our team a call for assistance. 
 

Not anymore!

The technology used to make dentures has improved considerably in the last few years, and today's dentures look much more realistic. The teeth are created and placed individually, which gives them the appearance of the variation that occurs naturally. Additionally, the colors that are used to create dentures replicate the genuine shade of teeth and gums much better than they used to. We think you'll be pleased with the final result.

Natural-Looking Dentures in Lafayette

Our patients are genuinely excited when they find out that they get to have a say in how their dentures look. We do an evaluation to help determine the size and shape of the teeth that will work best for our patients, but our patients can have input into the shade of the teeth and other aesthetic factors in their dentures.

While our dentures look completely natural, they do not have to be the dingy shade of yellow or an unnatural bright white that they used to be in the past. Today, dentures are custom made with our patient’s features in mind.

Dentures are no longer a sentence to have a fake, unattractive smile in your golden years. We know that seniors are more active and social than ever before and our dentistry reflects that societal change. Give us a call to learn more.