How can we help you?
At Cook Family Dentistry, we feel that you deserve to be fully informed about every aspect of your treatment. That is why we always take the time necessary to answer all your questions. Whatever your question, we've got the answer!
Here are a few of the questions we hear most often, but we encourage you to contact us if yours is not shown below.
Dentures
If you are missing all of your teeth on either the top or bottom (or both), complete dentures are one way to replace them. 
Complete dentures have been around for many, many years, and they have definitely improved over the years. They can provide an "instant facelift" by adding volume under previously shrunken cheeks and lips, and the teeth can be custom made to the patient's preference. They are also a relatively inexpensive way to regain some chewing ability, as well as personal confidence.
Disadvantages of Dentures
Some of the disadvantages of dentures include the fact that they are removable, and they can take a while to get used to. Upper dentures usually cover the entire roof of the mouth to ensure their strength and stability, and lower dentures tend to be loose-fitting and uncomfortable for many patients. Fortunately for many patients, these disadvantages can be addressed with implants! By allowing the denture to be snapped onto implants, their fit is much improved, the roof of the mouth does not have to be covered, and perhaps most importantly, the jawbone is preserved by the implants.
Please do not hesitate to call us at (205) 326-6384 if you have any questions about your smile and how we might be able to help!
Keeping your dentures clean goes a long way to ensuring their longevity. Here are some tips for daily cleaning and care for your full or partial dentures in Birmingham.
Clean Your Dentures Daily
Just like brushing your teeth, your dentures should be cleaned and brushed daily. You can rinse them after meals and brush them at night with a soft, non-abrasive toothbrush. Discuss the correct type of denture cleaner to use with Dr. Cook.
Soak Your Dentures During the Night
Soaking your dentures in room temperature water or a denture cleanser while you sleep will help keep your dentures clean and fresh. However, don't ever use hot water to clean or soak your dentures, as it could cause them to warp.
Clean Your Mouth After Meals
Removing your dentures for rinsing or soaking is also an excellent time to clean your mouth. Use a soft toothbrush or gauze to remove any remaining food particles or adhesive from your mouth.
Contact your dentist if you notice any sores or lesions on your gums or soft tissues as it could indicate ill-fitting dentures.
Visit Your Birmingham Dentist Once a Year for Checkups
Even though you no longer have natural teeth, it's important to have Dr. Cook check your mouth and dentures yearly for proper fit and function.
Call (205) 326-6384 if you have questions about your dentures.
If you are unhappy with the stability of your dentures, you will be pleased to know that both the materials and the process for creating dentures have vastly improved in recent years. Now we are no longer limited to an ill-fitting, one-size-fits-all solution for replacing missing teeth.
Dentures Process
The most important part of the dentures process is the planning stage. You should love not just the fit and feel, but also the appearance of your dentures, so we take our time to ensure that you are thrilled with the outcome. A significant improvement in fabricating dentures is the availability of digital imaging technology that provides us with highly accurate, detailed images of your teeth and jaw.
Advanced Denture Technology
Materials have also improved to the point that we can customize every detail of your denture, down to the color of the gums and the positioning of each tooth. The natural-looking teeth sit on an acrylic base that is designed to match your natural gum color. The base is softer than those made years ago, so it conforms closely to your gums. A denture that is customized for your mouth will fit comfortably and should only require natural suction to hold it in place.
If you regularly use adhesive and still have problems with full or partial dentures that shift and move, it might be a good time to call our Birmingham dental office for a consultation. We will be happy to speak to you about creating new dentures as well as the option of adding mini dental implants to hold them securely in place.
The answer is - yes, dentures in Birmingham, AL, do change the appearance of your face in a significant way!
When you lose multiple teeth, you also lose bone density because your jawbone has nothing left to support. Losing bone diminishes support for neighboring teeth, putting them in jeopardy, and also changes how your face looks.
Bone loss can cause your face to have a sunken, aged appearance. Dentures not only replace your teeth but also restore lost facial structure. Many of our patients feel that wearing dentures takes years off of their appearance, giving them a more youthful look!
Implant-supported dentures provide more stability and support for denture wearers because your denture snaps into a few carefully placed dental implants. This eliminates any slippage or movement of your denture during eating or talking. Dental implants also keep your jawbone healthy and stimulated, preventing more bone structure loss.
Are you living with multiple missing teeth? Are you tired of struggling to feel confident about eating or interacting with others? Would you like to learn more about the options for your smile? Dr. Cook can help!
Contact our Birmingham dental office at (205) 564-9319 to learn more about options for your smile.