Dentures in Kensington, MD

Dentures in Kensington, MD

Kensington residents seeking expert dental care choose Dr. Gerald Marlin at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry. appliance fabrication is one of the traditional strengths of prosthodontics. A prosthodontist’s training emphasizes the biomechanics of replacement teeth, the principles of proper prosthetic design and fit, and the materials and techniques that produce comfortable, functional, natural-looking tooth replacements.

For Kensington patients who have lost multiple teeth or who are considering full prosthetic teeth, our specialty-trained team at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, located 15 minutes from Kensington at 4400 Jenifer Street NW in Friendship Heights, has spent over 40 years fabricating dental prosthetics that feel comfortable, function properly, and look naturally beautiful.

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Understanding Dentures

A appliance is a removable prosthesis that replaces one or more missing teeth. replacement teeth rely on fit and retention to stay in place. The better the fit, the better the retention and the greater the comfort. Prosthodontic expertise is directly applied to achieving optimal restoration fit.

prosthetic teeth are recommended in several situations. A patient who has lost all teeth in one arch (upper or lower) benefits from a full prosthetic. A patient who has lost several teeth but retains some natural teeth may be a candidate for a partial prosthesis. A patient who has gaps and missing teeth may benefit from a removable partial restoration rather than undergoing extensive crown and bridgework.

Types of Dentures

Complete Upper Dentures

A complete upper appliance replaces all upper teeth when none remain. The treatment sits on the palate (roof of your mouth) and along the upper gum ridge. If your upper palate is broad and the ridge is well-formed, retention is usually good.

Complete Lower Dentures

A lower prosthetic replaces all lower teeth when none remain. The lower arch is more challenging than the upper because the ridge is narrower and the prosthesis is displaced by tongue movement. However, with careful design and proper fit, lower appliances function well.

Removable Partial Dentures

A removable partial restoration replaces one or more missing teeth while some natural teeth remain. The partial solution clasps onto the remaining natural teeth for stability. The design is custom-fabricated based on which teeth are missing and which teeth remain.

Implant-Supported Dentures

For patients who want greater stability, implant-supported modern prosthetics are anchored to dental implants placed in the jaw bone. These custom teeth are more stable and comfortable than traditional tooth replacements, and they slow bone loss that occurs with conventional tooth replacements.

The Denture Fabrication Process

Initial Consultation

Your restoration consultation begins with a discussion of your needs and expectations. Do you want removable restorations because you have lost teeth, or are you considering extraction and replacement teeth as a treatment for failing teeth? What is your experience with prosthetic teeth, if any? What are your concerns about prosthetic teeth?

our team at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry then examines your mouth, evaluating the condition of any remaining teeth, the ridge form and size, and the health of your gum tissues. We take measurements and discusses his recommendations.

Impression Taking

For tooth replacements, detailed impressions of your mouth are essential. our prosthodontic team takes a preliminary impression to capture your mouth’s basic form. This impression is used to fabricate a custom tray that will be used for the final impression. The custom tray allows more precise capture of the contours that will support your treatment.

Final Impression and Bite Record

Using the custom tray, our specialty-trained team takes a final, detailed impression of your gum ridge and palate. A bite record is taken to capture your correct bite relationship. These impressions and records are sent to our on-site laboratory for denture fabrication.

Denture Fabrication

The laboratory technician fabricates your prosthetic teeth based on our specialty-trained team’s specifications and the impressions provided. The technician selects tooth shapes and colors that look natural and that match your facial characteristics. The denture base is tinted to match your natural gum tissue color.

Try-In and Adjustment

When fabrication is complete, you return for a try-in appointment. Dr. Marlin verifies that the fit is correct, that your bite is comfortable, and that the appearance is pleasing. Adjustments are made as needed. The dentures may be adjusted further at this appointment or may be finalized and delivered.

Final Delivery

When all adjustments are complete, your finished removable restorations are delivered. our specialty-trained team provides detailed instructions on insertion, removal, care, and adjustment to wearing replacement teeth. Most patients require a brief adjustment period as they adapt to their new dentures.

Denture Fit and Retention

The fit of a prosthetic is critical. A well-fitting prosthesis is retained by the intimate adaptation between the appliance base and your gum ridge. This retention allows you to eat and speak with confidence. Dentures that fit poorly shift and move, which is uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Elite Prosthetic Dentistry’s prosthodontic training emphasizes the precise techniques required for optimal denture fit. We take detailed impressions, verifies fit at the try-in appointment, and makes careful adjustments to achieve the best possible retention.

Denture Appearance

prosthesis appearance is important to many patients. The teeth on your appliance are selected to match your age, skin tone, and facial characteristics, creating a natural appearance. The restoration base is tinted to match your natural gum tissue. When fabricated by our on-site laboratory under Dr. Marlin’s specifications, dentures appear natural and attractive.

Adjusting to Dentures

Most appliance patients require a period of adjustment as they learn to insert and remove their prosthetic teeth, as their mouth adapts to the prosthetic, and as their muscles adjust to moving around the denture while eating and speaking.

This adjustment period typically takes one to three weeks. In the beginning, wear time may be limited due to soreness, and Elite Prosthetic Dentistry may need to make small adjustments to improve comfort. Gradually, wearing time increases and comfort improves as your mouth adapts.

Caring for Your Dentures

Proper care extends the life of your dentures and keeps them in optimal condition:

• Remove and clean removable restorations after each meal by brushing them with a soft brush and denture cleaner
• Soak tooth replacements overnight in prosthetic soaking solution (never in hot water, which can cause warping)
• Remove prosthetic teeth for at least several hours daily to allow gum tissues to rest
• Do not use toothpaste on removable restorations; use prosthesis-specific cleaners
• Store dental prosthetics in their container with soaking solution when not wearing them

Denture Adjustments Over Time

As your mouth continues to change after tooth loss, your prosthetic teeth may require adjustments. The gum ridge resorbs over time, changing shape and volume. appliance relines add material to the tissue surface of the denture to maintain fit as your mouth changes.

Dr. Marlin monitors your denture fit at regular appointments and recommends relines when needed to maintain optimal comfort and retention.

Implant-Supported Denture Alternatives

For patients who find conventional tooth replacements uncomfortable or unstable, implant-supported dental prosthetics offer improved function and comfort. Two or more dental implants are placed in the jaw bone and serve as anchors for a restoration. The prosthetic clips onto the implant attachments, providing greater stability than a conventional denture.

Implant-supported prosthetic teeth reduce the amount of bone loss that occurs with conventional dentures and often provide significantly improved comfort and function.

Denture Cost and Financing

Custom replacement teeth fabricated by our on-site laboratory represent a mid-range investment in tooth replacement. They are less expensive than extensive bridge and crown work, but more expensive than simple removable appliances. We provide detailed cost estimates and discuss financing options that make denture treatment accessible.

Related Resources

• Learn more about Dentures solutions
• The Art of Creating Dentures
• Explore full-mouth reconstruction
• View all locations we serve
• Browse real patient case studies
• Read patient reviews
• Patient education resources
• Find out if you qualify
• Learn more: are implant overdentures worth it
• View our smile gallery

Getting Here from Kensington

Our office at 4400 Jenifer Street NW is approximately 15 minutes from Kensington via Connecticut Avenue NW through Chevy Chase. The Friendship Heights Metro station on the Red Line is adjacent to our building. Street parking and a nearby public garage are available.

Schedule Your Consultation or call (202) 244-2101.