After getting Teeth in a Day, my denture is sitting too far forward, and it makes my lips look puffy. Will you please tell me how many millimeters from the gumline my dentist should place my permanent denture or if the denture should follow the gumline? The look of my temporary denture is making me think it’s too late to correct it without repositioning my implants. Thank you. Amias from Georgia

Amias,

It sounds like you’re referring to your denture teeth’s position in relation to your jawbone’s ridge beneath the denture. The gumline is the edge where your teeth and gums meet. If you are missing all your teeth, or if they are extracted for dentures, you no longer have a gumline. The point where your denture teeth meet the pink acrylic replaces your natural gumline.

Although Dr. Tostado would need to examine your implant overdenture for an accurate diagnosis and treatment options, we’ll explain how advanced cosmetic dentists achieve predictable results.

Placing Denture Teeth for Teeth-in-a-Day

Placing denture teeth for Teeth-in-a-Day requires meticulous attention to function and appearance. A cosmetic dentist will ensure you receive the best outcome for both.

Function

Teeth-in-a-Day is a system to support an arch of denture teeth with at least four dental implants. If your teeth are 2 to 3 millimeters from the ridge, that is close enough within range for proper function. But there are other considerations for placement of denture teeth, including aesthetics.

Aesthetics

Before a dentist makes your final denture or has it made by a lab, a wax model should be made. You can try in the model to examine how the denture looks, affects your speech, and affects your facial appearance—including the fullness of your lips. During the try-in, your dentist will ensure your bite and vertical dimension are accurate before your final denture is processed.

It’s not too late to talk to your dentist about how the dentures are affecting your lips. Your dentist can:

• Determine if the impressions of your mouth are accurate or take new impressions
• Remake the temporary denture or have the lab re-do it

If you were already wearing your permanent dentures, your dentist could remove and reset your denture teeth or have a lab revise them.

Teeth-in-a-Day should improve the function and appearance of your denture. Remind your dentist of your expectations, and don’t compromise. Your dentist should be able to get this right. But if it’s not going well after a second try, we recommend that you get a second opinion. Find a dentist with experience in implantology, aesthetics, occlusion, and bite (the way your upper and lower teeth fit together).

 

Gilberto Tostado, DDS, of San Antonio, TX sponsors this post. Dr. Tostado has post-graduate training in prosthodontics and dental aesthetics.