Dentures
A Functional, Fully Restored Smile
Tooth loss is far more common than you might think; over a quarter of seniors over the age of 60 in the United States are completely toothless. This condition can make everyday tasks like eating and speaking suddenly become a lot more challenging. Fortunately, Dr. Young can make it much easier to live a full life again by providing high-quality dentures. These prosthetics have been repairing smiles for hundreds of years, and the modern versions are more comfortable and stable than ever. If you or a loved one is facing life with missing teeth, contact our office to make an appointment today.
What are Dentures?
As you’re probably aware, dentures serve as artificial teeth and gums when many or all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw are gone. They usually have an acrylic base that supports porcelain teeth. Regardless of the kind you get, your dentures will be customized to fit in your mouth and create a natural look.
A functional set of dentures will let you eat a wide variety of foods and allow you to speak and enunciate clearly. Many patients also find that they can increase confidence, making it easier to smile and laugh in public.
Full and Partial Dentures
Depending on the extent of tooth loss, you could either get full or partial dentures.
- Full Dentures: These are the traditional prosthetics that most people think of when they hear the word “dentures.” They can replace an entire arch of teeth at once. They’re easily removable but can be held in place on the gums via natural suction or adhesive. Note that if you still have a few teeth remaining, they’ll need to be extracted first.
- Partial Dentures: If you still have a healthy amount of teeth, partial dentures can fill in the gaps. They’re usually used when other methods of tooth replacement, such as dental bridges, would be insufficient or impractical. Unlike full dentures, many partial dentures can be held in place with a metal clasp.
The Denture Process
First, Dr. Young will check your mouth and the state of your oral health; existing issues such as tooth decay and gum disease will need to be dealt with, and any remaining teeth or dental work will need to be examined. The next step is to take impressions that will serve as a reference for creating the dentures, a process that may take a few weeks. Once they’re ready, Dr. Young can make any adjustments they might need before they can sit comfortably in your mouth.
Wearing false teeth might feel odd at first, and you’ll need to practice chewing and speaking. Once you adjust, however, you’ll be able to fully embrace the benefits of your new smile!
Implant-Retained Dentures
In some cases, Dr. Young will be able to place dental implants in your jaw that can support your dentures. Since implants are integrated with the jaw, your teeth will be much more secure, and your chewing power will be almost fully restored to the level of natural teeth.
Restorations supported by implants tend to last a lot longer. The implant posts will also prevent bone loss in your jaw, letting you maintain a more youthful appearance.