Everything You Need To Know About Dentures

Everything You Need To Know About Dentures

Dec 04, 2019

What Is A Denture?

It is a removable set of artificial teeth used in the replacement of missing teeth. Dentures are used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of patients’ smiles, following multiple missing teeth. When patients have more than two missing teeth, they consider dentures in Phoenix, AZ, for cosmetic elevation. Other than that, dentures are also used in restorative dentistry. The reason is that they also restore the functioning of the mouth by replacing the missing teeth.

What are the Different Types of Dentures?

Dentures are categorized into two main groups:

  • Complete dentures

These are dentures used on patients who have all the teeth missing. Technically, it is a common treatment for older adults. However, patients involved in accidents and sports injuries can also benefit from complete dentures.

  • Partial dentures

Partial denture treatment is offered to patients who have multiple missing teeth but still have other natural teeth remaining. For example, if all your front teeth are knocked out, you still have the back teeth intact. In this case, you merit partial dentures. Partial dentures are, at times, called dental bridges. They can replace two or more missing teeth. They feature artificial teeth attached to a gum-like plastic that is placed on the space of the missing teeth.

The advantage of having partial dentures is not only for cosmetic reasons. With the spaces left behind by the lost teeth, the remaining teeth can start shifting. Partial dentures occupy the space to prevent the other healthy teeth from shifting. The shift of teeth can cause other oral issues. Such issues include teeth misalignment and gaps between teeth.

Other than the two main categories of dentures, there are other types:

  • Immediate dentures

They can also be referred to as same-day dentures. The sets of dentures are readily available in dental offices. They can be placed on patients’ mouths as soon as all the teeth are removed. For example, if you have been in an accident that caused you all your teeth, you can wear immediate dentures as your gums heal. This way, you do not have to be without teeth as your gums heal.

  • Conventional dentures

Unlike immediate dentures, these ones take time to be created. They are customized for individual needs. This means that after visiting family dentistry in Phoenix, the dentist will take impressions of your mouth to the lab. It will then take about 12 weeks or less to develop dentures for you. This is sufficient time to allow your gums to heal before installing any dentures. Since the conventional dentures are custom-made for individual patients, they are considered permanent dentures.

The advantage of conventional dentures over immediate dentures is in how they fit. As your gums heal due to teeth loss, the gums can shrink over time. This is not accounted for by immediate dentures. For some patients, once their gums are properly healed, the immediate dentures no longer fit properly. It is why they are considered a temporary solution as the conventional dentures are developed.

The Cosmetic Appearance of Dentures

Most patients that get complete dentures settle for tooth-colored dentures. This provides a more natural-looking appearance as if they never lost their natural teeth. However, for partial dentures, patients have different preferences. While tooth-colored dentures are best in improving cosmetic appearance, not everyone wants that.

Like with dental crowns, patients can opt for dentures of other materials. For example, people can replace 3 of their missing teeth with gold dentures. The price of the dentures will differ depending on the material you choose for replacement teeth.

Are There Other Treatment Alternatives?

If you do not want dentures, another alternative exists. Dental implants have been used many times in place of dental dentures. Implants are a more permanent solution. Other than that, implants have been used before to support dentures. With age, the body changes, and so does the structure of bones and gums. Implants are used to prevent dentures from being loose and requiring constant adjustments. They anchor the dentures to the jawbone for permanency. In that case, they are called implant-supported dentures.

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