Q: Unfortunately, I must have a full upper denture made as I have lost all my teeth from years of neglect. I am only in my late 40’s and am most worried about the teeth looking fake and “denture-like”. Are there any natural looking dentures?...S.M. in Jupiter
A: Before a denture is turned into its final, hard plastic form, the teeth are first set in wax and tried in the mouth. You and your dentist can than critique the teeth until you give the thumbs up. My old dental school buddy, Norman, was a master at denture teeth set-ups and taught me all his “tricks”: Twist the lateral incisors (the teeth that are adjacent to your two central front teeth) about 10 degrees. Keep them 1 to 2 mm shorter than their neighbors for women. Use porcelain teeth that have surface “flutes” and “Lobes” which add texture and break up reflected light for a more natural and translucent look. And lastly, pick a shade that is darker than Regis Philbin’s teeth.