Everyone wants to be able to smile with confidence but maintaining a bright and healthy smile is no easy task.
Recent studies show that nearly every patient will lose at least one adult tooth in their lifetime due to trauma, tooth decay, or gum disease.
For patients that have lost one or more teeth, dentures are an excellent option to restore the form and function of their smile.
For those who have lost their teeth due to injury, decay, or gum disease, dentures can help many day-to-day functions such as eating and speaking. They can also restore your self-confidence and appearance!
Some patients make the mistake of believing that tooth loss is purely a cosmetic issue. While gaps in one’s teeth will change the appearance of their smile, it can also lead to a variety of additional medical issues. After one or more teeth have been lost, the remaining teeth will begin to move inwards because they no longer have support. When this takes place, patients will often experience a variety of issues including damage to their teeth, gums, and jaws. Dentures will allow patients to once again speak, eat, and smile with confidence.
Here is a closer look at these dental appliances and why they have become one of the best treatments to replace missing teeth. Depending on the amount of teeth that are lost, patients will either require full dentures or partial dentures. Much like their name implies, full dentures are actually a full set of false teeth that are used when the majority of the natural teeth have fallen out or become so damaged that they must be removed. Partial dentures, on the other hand, are a dental appliance that will replace only a few missing teeth. These dentures are also referred to as bridges because they “bridge” the gap between the natural teeth.
There are a number of different methods that can be used to fit the dentures in a patient’s mouth. One long-term option is to attach the dentures to dental implants. Dental implants are metal alloy rods that are implanted into the jaw. Once in place, the bone will form a powerful bond with the posts in a process known as osseointegration. After the mouth has healed, the dentures will then be attached to those posts. While the implants themselves will last a lifetime with the proper care, the dentures may need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
No patient should ever feel as if they are out of choices when it comes to restoring their smile. Full and partial dentures are just two of the most popular restorative treatments, but patients have more options than ever to recreate the smile and replace missing teeth.
Ask your dentist about denture options such as immediate, temporary, or partial dentures. Remember to keep your dentures clean! Contact us today for more details!
