Dentures

Although our teeth are designed to last for a lifetime, they can fall off or be extracted due to various reasons such as decay or accidents, thereby leaving spaces in between. Missing teeth not only damper your appearance, but also can weaken the surrounding teeth. Therefore, finding a dental solution to maintain the health and the integrity of the teeth is vital.

Several dental solutions are available to close the dental spaces such as implants and bridges. However, if you are missing multiple or all teeth, dentures are an ideal solution.

Dentures have been and remain to be a mystery to some people as they are surrounded by myths and misconceptions. In this post, we provide you with information about dentures to help you make an informed decision.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are custom-made appliances designed to replace missing teeth as well as replace the function and appearance of your teeth. These appliances are either full or partial.

· Full or complete dentures

These dentures are made of a tooth-colored plastic base that supports a full set of porcelain teeth. They are designed to replace a full set of teeth either in the upper or lower jaw (for the lower jaw, the dentures are made of the acrylic base instead of plastic and are shaped like a horseshoe).

· Partial dentures

These dentures are either made of plastic or metal base to support the teeth and are held in place by clasps. Partial dentures are ideal if you have a few teeth missing and you need them to fill the spaces.

The metal-based dentures are commonly used due to their durability and strength.

Plastic dentures, on the other hand, are ideal for temporary situations to help the gums heal as you seek a more permanent dental restoration treatment.

· Implant-supported dentures

In recent years, implant-supported dentures have been common for people seeking more permanent support. These dentures have an implant that is fixed on the jaw, an abutment, and the crown.

The dentures are effective, but they are not ideal for everyone. You need to have enough bone structure to support the implants. Furthermore, the dentures are fixed mostly on the lower jaw as it offers the best support.

Will The Dentures Affect My Facial Appearance and How I Speak?

Dentures will improve your teeth appearance and restore their functionality. In the first few days, however, your speech may be sluggish as your tongue gets used to the dentures. Eating while wearing the dentures also requires a little practice.

How Long Are You to Wear the Dentures?

Dentures are to be worn all day and taken off at night while sleeping to let the gums relax. It is recommended though to wear the dentures all the time in the first few days to help you detect areas that need adjustment.

Are Dentures Covered by Insurance?

This depends on your dental insurance, although most of them do cover a percentage of the dentures cost. You should contact your insurance provider and our dental clinic to find out which plans we accept.

How Long Do the Dentures Last?

Dentures can last for about five years if taken care of properly. Expect the dentures to loosen after some time as a result of the bone shrinking, but this varies from person to person.

Is Denture Adhesive Recommended?

An adhesive is a glue or paste that support the dentures and it can be used instead of clasps. The denture adhesive cream can be used to clean the dentures and retain its stability, but avoid using if you have ill-fitting dentures.

Are There Alternatives?

Yes, there are two other options for dentures; implants and bridges.

Dental implants are titanium posts fixed on the jawbone to offer permanent support for artificial teeth. The implants can replace one tooth or multiple teeth using a bridge.

Bridges, on the other hand, replace the missing teeth by placing crowns of the nearby teeth. The dental bridges are available in gold, porcelain, or zirconium. This dental support can only fix two or three teeth in a row.

Should You Use Dentures?

If you are missing multiple teeth on the upper or lower jaw, then the dentures are a perfect option. They offer support, enhance appearance, and are affordable.

Are you ready to improve your dental appearance? Contact us to schedule an appointment.