Regardless of whether you wear dentures or you are thinking about getting dentures, it is important to understand what types of dentures are best for you. The professionals at Dr. Wendy Willoughby DDS in Asheville, NC are ready to sit down and talk to you about the best way to meet your denture needs.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable appliances used by individuals with missing teeth. The dentures replace missing teeth, whether it is a few teeth or an entire mouthful.
People of all ages and stations lose teeth for a variety of reasons. Some losses are the result of gum disease or tooth decay; other tooth loss is the result of accidents or traumas. Dentures can help all types of people look and feel like their old selves.
Why Are Dentures Important?
A healthy mouth is important for a lot of reasons we take for granted. A full set of healthy teeth make it easier for people to speak clearly and enjoy eating their favorite foods. Healthy teeth also improve a person’s confidence and make it easier to enjoy social situations.
If a person begins to lose those perks, dentures can be a great way to restore the things we once took for granted.
When teeth are missing, facial muscles can lose their strength and begin to sag. Dentures can fill the void left by missing teeth and support sagging areas in a way that looks natural and gives denture wearers confidence.
Types of Dentures
There are two standard types of dentures worn by dental patients: full dentures and partial dentures. Clients who have lost an entire set of teeth usually wear full dentures that are permanently secured in the mouth.
Partial dentures are preferred by individuals who want to have teeth temporarily available in the mouths. This is common when only some teeth are missing or when a client is between dental appointments, such as waiting on dental implants.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are a replacement for missing teeth, including the surrounding tissues. These dentures can be either conventional or immediate.
Conventional
Often, a patient has not lost all of their teeth, but enough teeth have been lost or injured to warrant a set of full dentures. Conventional dentures are made after natural teeth have been removed and the mouth and gums have had time to heal. Conventional dentures are usually ready to be placed in a patient’s mouth a few months after the initial teeth are removed.
The dentures are made by taking an impression of the oral tissue that has will support your new appliance. The impressions are turned into models of your mouth. The dentures are usually built onto the model to ensure they will fit your real mouth when the time comes. Along with the best fit, good dentures must also ensure proper bite and look natural in your mouth.
Immediate
Immediate dentures are prepared before a person’s teeth are removed. As a result, they can be positioned in the mouth shortly after the teeth are pulled. This is a popular option for clients who do not want to be without teeth. Because the mouth undergoes a lot of stress and change when teeth are removed, immediate dentures usually require more adjustments to find the best fit.
Often, immediate dentures are a stop-gap strategy to hold you over until conventional dentures are complete.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are secured by a metal framework that can be easily inserted or taken out of the mouth. Sometimes the partials are attached to a base colored similarly to your gums.
Partial dentures are preferred by patients who still have some healthy natural teeth and do not want to pull teeth for full dentures. Sometimes, removable partial dentures are referred to as bridges. A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth by crowning the teeth and attaching the artificial teeth to the crown. Fixed bridges are then cemented into place.
Partial dentures are useful because they not only fill the void left by missing teeth but also help other teeth remain in the proper position.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Good candidates for dentures are those who have lost teeth. The number of teeth you have lost will help you and your dental professional decide what types of dentures would be best for you.
Often, individuals missing a few teeth are good candidates for partial dentures, and people missing most of their teeth are better full-denture candidates. However, there are other variables that can affect your treatment plan. For instance, patients suffering from gum recession may not have enough soft tissue to support dentures.
For reasons like this, it is important to have a conversation with your medical professional to discuss the types of dentures or other treatment plans that will meet your needs.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Are you ready to enjoy your meals again and see your face return to its old self? Are you tired of feeling conspicuous in social situations and choosing food based on your missing teeth? If so, schedule a consultation and get the results you’re looking for as soon as possible.
Already wearing dentures but aren’t happy with them? Our talented professionals will ensure you are happy with your current dentures and check your gum and soft tissue health. These visits are also a great opportunity to make any necessary adjustments.
The professionals at Dr. Wendy Willoughby DDS in Asheville, NC are ready to sit down and talk with you. Schedule your consultation today and find out how we can help you!
