Dentures in Arlington, VA

Dentures in Arlington, VA

Dentures in Arlington, VA: Restore Function and Appearance

Arlington residents seeking expert dental care choose Dr. Gerald Marlin at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry. Missing teeth affect more than just appearance. They impact eating ability, speaking, and confidence. If you’ve lost some or all of your teeth, replacement teeth can restore function and appearance.

At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, Elite Prosthetic Dentistry creates custom replacement teeth that are comfortable, natural-looking, and functional. Whether you need a full prosthetic to replace all teeth or a partial prosthetic to replace multiple missing teeth, our prosthodontic team’s 40+ years of prosthodontic expertise ensures excellent results.

Understanding Dentures

A prosthetic is a prosthetic restoration that replaces missing teeth and the supporting gum tissue. dental prosthetics can be full removable restorations, replacing all teeth, or partial tooth replacements, replacing some missing teeth while preserving remaining natural teeth.

Full prosthetic teeth rest on the gum ridge and are held in place by suction and fit. Partial dental prosthetics are held in place by clasps that attach to remaining natural teeth.

Modern dental prosthetics look very natural and function reasonably well for eating and speaking. However, they do require adjustment and maintenance.

Full Dentures

A full appliance replaces all teeth in your upper or lower jaw. Some patients need full removable restorations on both arches.

Full removable restorations rest on your gum ridge and are held in place by suction created when the treatment base fits snugly against your gum tissue. Proper fit is essential for retention and comfort.

our specialty-trained team takes great care to ensure your full dental prosthetics are well-fitted and comfortable. We make adjustments during the fitting appointment and at follow-up visits to optimize your prosthetic experience.

Partial Dentures

A partial restoration replaces multiple missing teeth while preserving your remaining natural teeth. This is preferable to a full treatment because you retain some natural tooth structure and sensibility.

Partial prosthetic teeth are held in place by clasps that attach to your remaining natural teeth. The treatment base replaces the missing teeth and supporting tissue.

Partial replacement teeth require careful design to ensure the clasps don’t damage remaining teeth and the solution distributes forces properly.

On-Site Laboratory Customization

Our on-site laboratory gives us unique advantages for prosthetic fabrication. Rather than sending impressions to an outside lab and waiting days for feedback, our technicians work directly with Dr. Marlin. This allows real-time communication about shade, shape, and fit. If adjustments are needed, they’re made immediately rather than waiting for outside lab revisions.

For patients choosing custom removable restorations with premium finishes, our laboratory can create prosthetics with exceptional attention to detail, creating restorations that are highly natural-looking and custom-fitted to your mouth.

The Denture Fabrication Process

Your restoration journey begins with a consultation. our practice examines your mouth, assesses remaining tooth structure (if partial prosthetic) and gum ridge shape. We discuss your goals and concerns. We may photograph your existing teeth to match shade or shape characteristics.

Impressions are taken of your mouth. These are sent to our on-site laboratory where prosthetic teeth are custom-fabricated for your mouth.

The prosthetic fabrication process involves multiple steps and typically takes 2-3 weeks. You’ll have several appointments for fitting and adjustment. Throughout the process, our laboratory team communicates directly with Dr. Marlin about any adjustments or refinements needed.

Initial Impressions

our practice takes preliminary impressions of your mouth. These impressions are used to create a custom tray that fits your mouth precisely. Using this custom tray, a final impression is taken.

The final impression captures every detail of your mouth, ensuring your dental prosthetics will fit properly.

Try-In Appointment

When your dental prosthetics are partially complete, you come in for a try-in appointment. Dr. Marlin checks the fit, color, shape, and bite. Adjustments are made.

You’ll see how your dentures look and practice speaking and eating. Feedback is provided, and any necessary adjustments are made before final completion.

Final Fitting and Adjustment

When your dentures are complete, you return for final fitting and adjustment. Elite Prosthetic Dentistry checks all aspects of fit and function. We make any final adjustments and provides detailed care instructions.

You’ll need a few days to adjust to your new dentures, but Elite Prosthetic Dentistry is available for any adjustments or concerns that arise.

Adjustment and Maintenance

tooth replacements require regular adjustments, especially initially. Your mouth changes shape over time as bone resorbs. Dentures may loosen, requiring adjustment or relines to maintain proper fit and retention.

our prosthodontic team sees prosthesis patients regularly for adjustments and maintenance. Regular professional care extends denture life and ensures continued comfort.

Natural Appearance

Modern removable restorations look much more natural than older replacement teeth. our practice designs dentures with attention to tooth color, shape, and positioning. The result is a natural-looking smile.

Tooth shade and shape are customized to match your facial features and preferences. The gum color is matched to your natural gum tissue so the transition is seamless.

Getting Used to Dentures

Most patients adjust to tooth replacements within a few weeks. Initially, dental prosthetics feel foreign, and eating and speaking require practice. Your tongue finds the dentures unusual at first.

With practice, most patients adapt and learn to eat, speak, and function comfortably with dentures. Dr. Marlin provides guidance and support during the adjustment period.

Eating with Dentures

Eating with prosthetic teeth requires adjustment. Initially, stick to soft foods. Avoid very hard, sticky, or hot foods that might dislodge dentures. Chew slowly and use both sides of your mouth.

With practice, most patients can eat a reasonably normal diet. However, dentures don’t function like natural teeth, so some foods may remain difficult.

Denture Care

Proper prosthetic care extends prosthesis lifespan. Brush removable restorations daily with a soft-bristled restoration brush and denture cleaner. Do not use regular toothpaste, which is too abrasive.

Soak replacement teeth in a restoration solution overnight. This keeps them moist, maintains their shape, and allows denture cleanser to work effectively.

Rinse your mouth after eating. Remove and rinse removable restorations if food debris accumulates. Handle dentures carefully over a towel to avoid breaking them if dropped.

Implant-Supported Dentures: A Superior Alternative

For some patients, implant-supported prosthetic teeth are a superior option. These dentures are supported and retained by dental implants rather than resting solely on gum tissue.

Implant-supported tooth replacements offer significant advantages. They’re far more stable and don’t shift during eating or speaking. They require fewer adjustments over time as your jaw shape changes. They provide better sensory feedback and feel more like natural teeth. They look more natural because they don’t need as much bulk for retention. Most importantly, implant-supported dental prosthetics restore near-normal eating function, unlike traditional replacement teeth which significantly limit food choices.

How they work: Two to six dental implants are placed in your jawbone. The appliance attaches to these implants via clasps, locator attachments, or a bar system. The implants bear the denture’s weight rather than your gum tissue bearing it all.

However, implant-supported removable restorations require adequate bone volume to place implants. Some patients need bone grafting before implants can be placed. They’re also more expensive than traditional dentures. Additionally, they require more complex maintenance, including implant-specific cleaning techniques.

On-site lab advantage: Our on-site laboratory fabricates custom dental prosthetics that fit perfectly onto your implant attachments, ensuring optimal stability and comfort.

Elite Prosthetic Dentistry will discuss both traditional and implant-supported options. If you have adequate bone and are interested in implants, implant-supported dentures might be ideal for you. If bone is insufficient, bone grafting can rebuild bone to make implants possible.

Cost of Dentures

prosthesis costs vary depending on whether you need full or partial dentures and the level of customization. Elite Prosthetic Dentistry provides cost estimates during your consultation.

Some insurance plans cover prosthetic costs partially. We verify your insurance benefits and discuss out-of-pocket costs. Payment plans are available to make dentures accessible.

Getting Here from Arlington

Arlington is just 15 minutes away via Key Bridge or Chain Bridge into DC, then Canal Road and MacArthur Boulevard north to our Friendship Heights office. The convenient location makes multiple denture appointments easy to manage.

Schedule Your Denture Consultation

If you have missing teeth and are interested in custom teeth, Dr. Marlin can help. Schedule a consultation to discuss your situation, or call (202) 244-2101. Learn more about our full and partial replacement services.

Elite Prosthetic Dentistry | 4400 Jenifer St NW Suite 220 | Washington, DC 20015

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