Tooth loss requires dentures, and today your dentist have several attractive options for you.
Types of dentures
Immediate dentures are placed immediately after removing any remaining teeth. These have the added benefit that you have the look and use of teeth while your mouth heals, making your transition to dentures more subtle. However, your jawbone and gums will gradually shrink after teeth are removed, so you will need to be fitted with conventional dentures later.
Conventional full dentures replace all or most of your upper and lower teeth. They are custom-crafted and fitted over a series of appointments to ensure an excellent fit and natural look. Your dentist will provide you with homecare instructions and have you come in for periodic adjustments or relines to ensure that your conventional dentures continue to fit properly and feel comfortable.
Overdentures look like conventional full dentures. However, overdentures fit over dental implants or a few specially prepared remaining teeth. Overdentures are more secure and feel more natural than conventional dentures. Also, the implants or remaining teeth provide stimulation that can help preserve the bone in your jaw.
Partial dentures may be a good choice when you have lost several teeth but still have some remaining. Partials help to prevent your existing teeth from shifting within your mouth. In turn, the remaining teeth support the dentures and help take the impact of biting and chewing. This reduces the pressure on other parts of your jaw.
Benefits of dentures
Dentures are important both for your oral health and the attractiveness of your smile, because they:Alternatives to dentures
Other options to consider besides dentures may include bridges (sometimes called fixed partial dentures) or dental implants (which are surgically placed below your gumline, providing an invisible and secure fit). Your dentist will work with you to determine the best solution for your needs.Keep in mind, the best alternative is to not need dentures at all. With consistent and regular dental care, you may be able to preserve all your healthy teeth, so that you can keep them throughout your lifetime.You may also be interested in:
Common Traumatic Red Lesions in the Mouth (Part 2)
Mechanical trauma to the oral lining can produce a variety of clinical lesions. The purpuric macule is produced by a blunt traumatic insult to the skin.Common Traumatic Red Lesions in the Mouth (Part 1)
Mechanical trauma to your oral lining can produce a variety of clinical painful lesions such as the erythematous macules. Your dentist can help you to identify and remove the causative agent.Herbal Remedies: Friend or Foe?
Plants have been used for medicinal purposes since the Stone Age, so it is not surprising that a natural solution is appealing.