Losing one or several teeth can affect much more than just your smile. You may notice that you chew or talk differently, or even that you feel different when you smile. The good thing is that you don’t have to live with missing teeth. Dentures are one option, but they’re not the only one, rather depending on how many teeth are missing, the condition of your gums and jawbone your dentist will talk to you about the different options for replacing your teeth which may include different types of dentures.
So, before choosing an option, let’s have a quick look at what these options are.
Dentures are removable dental appliances that are designed to replace missing teeth and are shaped and designed to fit your mouth to look like natural teeth. A denture usually has two parts – the artificial teeth and the base or plate to which they are attached. The base may be made from materials such as flexible polymer, nylon or chrome cobalt metal. The teeth may be made from materials such as acrylic resin or porcelain. Everyone has a different mouth so the dentures are made to fit and work for the individual’s needs.
The right denture option varies from person to person, often depending on how many teeth you have lost and if you have any of your natural teeth left.
If all the teeth are lost from the upper or lower jaw, they can be replaced with a complete denture. An upper denture has a plate that rests on the roof of the mouth. A lower denture has a shape that looks like a horseshoe and rests around the gums. After tooth removal, the mouth is usually allowed to heal before the final denture is fitted. The healing process may take about 8 to 12 weeks.
Some people may prefer to have replacement teeth in place while their mouth heals and here immediate dentures can be helpful. They are constructed before the other teeth are taken out and can be inserted the same day as the tooth removal. But as the healing takes place, your gums and jawbone will naturally change. Therefore, the immediate denture may need to be adjusted or relined to continue to be comfortable. It is usually used as a temporary measure until the mouth is ready for a permanent denture.
A partial denture can fill the gaps left by missing teeth while fitting around the natural teeth you still have. It replaces some of the missing teeth rather than all of them . Replacement teeth can be attached to the remaining natural teeth with a metal frame and clips or by precision attachments, depending on the circumstances. If the teeth on either side of the denture are not strong enough to hold it up, your dentist may recommend crowning them so that there is a more solid surface to attach the denture to.
No, the other choice would be dental implants. A dental implant is a tiny metal post that’s placed into your jawbone to support a replacement tooth and it requires a good deal of jawbone and healthy gums because the implant is placed into the bone. If only one tooth is missing, a dental implant can be used to support a single replacement tooth, so you don’t need a removable denture. Implants may also be used to replace several missing teeth or support a full-arch restoration and can also provide extra support to a denture, helping it feel more stable and comfortable while eating and speaking.
Some people find traditional dentures move or become less secure when they eat or talk and in these cases, implant-supported or implant-retained dentures may be an option. The implants are screwed into the jaw bone and the denture latches on to them for a more secure fit helping the denture to hold in place. Not everyone is ready for implants. Your dentist will need to examine your oral health including your gums and jawbone before he or she can determine if this is a good option.
There is no one right answer, as the best choice will depend on your individual mouth and how many teeth you have lost.
Your dentist might think about:
A detailed dental check-up can help your dentist determine whether dentures or implants would work better for you. You may have your own idea of what you want but your dentist can tell you what is actually possible with your oral health.
At Rajeshwari Dental Clinic, patients can get a range of dental treatments including dental implants, restorative dentistry and elderly dental care. The clinic also offers complete dental care for various age groups with customized dental treatment and the most modern dental equipment.
Depending on your needs, options to replace one or several lost teeth and get back your smile and ability to chew, you may choose complete dentures, partial dentures, immediate dentures, dental implants and implant-supported dentures.
If you’re missing a tooth, it doesn’t mean you can’t smile
Category : Types of Dentures and Tooth Replacement
Tags: dental implants , dental treatments , elderly dental care , restorative dentistry , Types of Dentures and Tooth Replacement
