Restorative Dentistry in Gilmer, TX

Dentures are a replacement for missing teeth that can be removed and put back into your mouth as you please. Depending on each individual patient case, you may receive full or partial dentures. Full dentures are used when all of the natural teeth are removed from the mouth. There are two types of full dentures.

Conventional Full Dentures

This is when all the teeth are removed and the tissue is given time to heal before the final dentures are placed. It takes 3-6 months for gum tissue to heal completely and for bone to remodel so we usually make a temporary denture for you, otherwise you would have to go without teeth for this period of time.

Immediate Full Dentures

Prior to having your teeth removed, Dr. Furniss takes measurements and has dentures fitted for your mouth. After removing the teeth, the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. The benefit is that you do not have to spend any time without teeth. You will, however, need to have follow-up visits to adjust your dentures because the jaw bone will slightly change shape as your mouth heals.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are another option when you are missing only a few of your teeth. This is similar to a bridge, but it is not a permanent fixture in your mouth.

Do you wake in the morning with sore jaws? When you bite, do you feel like your jaw is lopsided? When you close your jaws does it feel like your teeth have to slide into place? If so, then you may need an occlusal adjustment.

An occlusal adjustment corrects the alignment of the bite. This misalignment may be caused by loose, shifting, crowded, or missing teeth. The result is an evenly distributed bite that eliminates irregular pressure on one side of the mouth. Once your bite is adjusted, your teeth will meet properly. Occlusal adjustment is typically painless and accomplished in just a few minutes.

Dr. Furniss has invested in new technology to much more accurately identify the areas which need adjustments. He utilizes a computer scan of the mouth, which records hundreds of bite registrations per minute, and notes even the slightest irregularity. That data allows Dr. Furniss to make only the adjustments that are absolutely necessary, which ensures a well-aligned bite and minimal tooth wear.

Dr. Furniss may recommend a tooth extraction for various reasons. In some cases, teeth need to be removed due to severe decay or damage beyond repair. Other times, advanced gum disease may compromise a tooth's stability, necessitating its removal. Extractions might also be required for poorly positioned teeth, such as impacted wisdom teeth, or as part of preparing your mouth for orthodontic treatment. Each case is unique, and Dr. Furniss will work with you to determine the best solution for your oral health.

Why Should I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth are essentially the third set of molars that grow. They typically will show up between the ages of seventeen-twenty-five; and as low as age ten. Most people will develop them and depending on each person determines how many pokes through our mouth. Often, the development of wisdom teeth can create overcrowding in the mouth and therefore cause other teeth to shift, at times can affect sinus cavities and other unwanted pain such as headaches.

Since each person is different when it comes to their teeth and gums, each surgery will be catered to individualized needs. For instance, an extraction on one patient could be completed before they feel a wisdom tooth poke through their gums, whereas another set of those set of third molars could be visibly seen poking through before surgery. Studies tell us that most oral surgeons prefer to wait until the wisdom teeth are in the best formation to cause the least amount of pain after the oral surgery.