If you’ve never struggled with the challenges that come from losing teeth, it’s likely that you’ve never even thought about what dentures are, how you go about getting them, or why you might need them. However, when you do experience the loss of teeth, the caring team at Dr. Wendy Willoughby, DDS in Asheville, NC is prepared to help with various types of dentures.
Prior to losing teeth, you may have taken for granted everyday things, like smiling, eating, speaking, and navigating normal social scenarios. Things that were once second nature with a healthy mouth suddenly become challenging when you’re missing teeth. We understand the difficulties facing people in these circumstances and the importance of a trustworthy dental practice with the patient’s best interests at heart. That’s why we offer full, partial, and fixed hybrid implant dentures as both cosmetic and functional dentistry solutions.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are either permanent or removable prosthetic appliances that are used to replace missing teeth. They are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of your mouth. While some dentures are removable, there are other types that are permanent, some of which rely on bonding to dental implants.
Types of Dentures We Offer
At our practice, patients can choose from conventional full dentures, partial dentures, or fixed hybrid implant dentures. Our knowledgeable team can assist with choosing the right treatment option based not only on your dental condition but also on your own preferences.
Full Dentures
One option available through our practice is full dentures. A potential solution for people who have lost a full set of teeth, full dentures can restore a patient’s smile and sense of normalcy by providing them with life-like fixtures for their mouths. They are typically made from flesh-colored plastic or acrylic that rests on the patient’s gums.
Full dentures are permanent solutions, as they are fixed permanently into the mouth and set to fit snugly and comfortably like real teeth. Full dentures cannot be removed without the help of a dental professional.
Partial Dentures
In contrast to full dentures, partial dentures are held in place by a metal framework and can easily be removed. These are often the choice for people who still retain a number of teeth. However, partial dentures can also be used as a temporary measure for those who are missing a full set of teeth and are undergoing the process of receiving dental implants. That way, a patient does not have to be without teeth through the duration of their treatment.
Fixed Hybrid Implant Dentures
A custom-fitted denture option, fixed hybrid implant dentures are an alternative to the others that both look and feel especially natural. They are screw-retained dentures held in place by implants that are placed in the jaw bone, ensuring a more precise and secure fit for the wearer. These dentures are an available solution for anyone who currently uses other types of dentures or anyone who is going through the process of losing their natural teeth.
While they don’t need to be removed for regular cleanings, this hybrid implant can be removed by a dentist for maintenance cleanings and repair. If you find yourself worrying about your current dentures staying in place, consider this type of denture not only for the look and feel of natural teeth but also for the full functionality of talking, biting, and chewing.
What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for Dentures?
If injury, gum disease, tooth decay, or tooth trauma has resulted in a number of missing teeth for you, then dentures may be the right solution to get you back to smiling, feeling, and looking like your old self. Nearly anyone who has experienced a substantial loss of teeth and is tired of experiencing difficulties resulting from that loss is a good candidate for dentures.
However, there are certain people who may need additional assistance before being fitted for dentures. The soft tissue of those suffering from gum recession—whether partial or complete—may not be stable enough to support dentures from the outset. A patient in that situation would need to schedule a consultation appointment in order for the doctor to determine their current mouth condition, consider whether these fixtures could work for them, and come up with a personalized plan for dental rejuvenation.
Benefits of Dentures
There are immediate benefits that come about for those who wear dentures. Speaking, eating, and smiling become second nature again, and you no longer worry about those everyday tasks. You also regain any confidence you might have lost along with your teeth, and being face-to-face with family, friends, and colleagues is no longer something you have to worry about.
Additionally, there is another important cosmetic benefit to wearing dentures consistently. When you’ve lost a significant amount of teeth, your facial muscles can sag and continue to do so the longer you don’t have something to support them. Incorporating the use of dentures helps to fill in the volume you lost along with your teeth, rejuvenating and protecting your appearance in a safe and natural way.
Reclaim Your Smile Today
Would you like to understand how different types of dentures could make a difference in your life? Contact us at Dr. Wendy Willoughby, DDS in Asheville, NC to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable, experienced team of professionals. Quality care and patient health is our top priority, and we welcome the opportunity to get to know you and your specific situation, answer any questions, and address any concerns you may have about our denture services.
