Loss of teeth can cause a variety of difficulties from changes in appearance to loss of chewing efficiency. If you are suffering from missing teeth or feel like your teeth are beyond saving a denture might be a good option for you. Dentures are plastic teeth set in a resin base that are used to replace missing teeth.
A full denture is meant to replace a full arch of teeth. Without teeth, you can start to lose muscle tone on our face that can make your face sag and appear older. Teeth also hold a vital role in nutrition in breaking down the food we eat. There are several types of dentures in modern dentistry. The most common types are conventional, immediate, and overdentures.
Conventional dentures are when the arch has been edentulous for a period of months. This often requires the removal of teeth and allowing the individual to heal, which also allows the bone and gums (gingiva) to stabilize before the denture is made and worn. This method usually provides a better fitting denture than immediate dentures, but the person will go without teeth for several months.
The immediate denture is when the denture is made while the teeth are present. Once the denture arrives from the lab the teeth are extracted on that day and the denture is placed. After the denture is placed, the patient will be able to go through the healing process with a full mouth of teeth but will have to have the denture remade or relined after the healing process is completed.
Overdentures are a type of denture that is retained by something in the mouth. This can be completed with the roots of an existing tooth or implants. This is the best form of denture for retention of bone as well as fit and function.
Full dentures are prosthetics and even though they are a good option to replace lost teeth, they are something that takes time and patience to transition into. It may take time to adapt to a denture and our team is ready and willing to help in this process.
If you are missing teeth and would like to consult about a denture please contact us at Valley Smiles.