Rebuild Your Smile With Dentures
Dentures are common dental appliances that serve as a tooth replacement solution for individuals who have lost some or all of their natural teeth. Whether due to aging, dental disease, or trauma to the mouth, the need for dentures arises when tooth loss affects a person’s ability to live a normal life.
Missing teeth can impair your ability to eat, speak, or maintain proper oral health. Flower Mound Dental offers dentures in Flower Mound, TX, to help patients rebuild their smile.
Why Wear Dentures?
- The most common reason our patient opt for dentures is due to tooth loss. Tooth loss can result from many things. In the advanced stages of gum disease, it is common for teeth to fall out or require extraction. Severe tooth decay that goes untreated will eventually lead to tooth loss. A dental injury or congenital conditions can also result in tooth loss or a patient needing an extraction.
- Gaps in your smile can create certain functional challenges. If a patient is missing teeth, simple things like speaking clearly and chewing food can be difficult. Getting a denture will help you enjoy a well-balanced diet and communicate effectively.
- Missing teeth can lead to a lack of confidence and self-esteem issues. Many patients with tooth loss hide their smile or avoid speaking in public. Dentures will restore the aesthetic of your smile and help boost your confidence.
- Gaps along the arch can also lead to various oral health problems. Remaining teeth can shift towards the open space causing bite problems. Missing teeth also cause the underlying bone to deteriorate. People with tooth loss are also at a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Dentures can help maintain oral health.
Types of Dentures
A denture is a modern dental appliance that is made to resemble natural teeth. For each patient, we will custom make them to fit perfectly in the mouth. By taking impressions, we can ensure that the restoration will look natural and support the facial structures. There are several types of dentures available to meet the needs of our patients.
Full Dentures
Also called complete dentures, full dentures are for patients who are missing an entire row of teeth. They can replace the teeth on the upper or lower jaw or both. A full set of dentures consists of a gum colored acrylic base that will support the false teeth. They are held in place by way of suction and/or denture adhesive. Full dentures are removable and will need to be taken out daily for regular cleaning and upkeep.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are for patients who are missing teeth on an arch but also have some natural teeth remaining. We can design them for the upper or lower jaw. A partial consists of a metal or acrylic framework that attaches to the remaining natural teeth with clasps. The false teeth are attached to the framework and will fill in the gaps created by the missing teeth.
Implant-Supported Dentures
The best way to replace several missing teeth on an arch or a full arch of teeth is with an implant supported denture. This dental restoration provides a more secure and stable solution for patients with tooth loss.
In involves placing a certain number of dental implants (typically between two and eight) in the jaw bone. These implant fixtures will fuse to the jaw bone and serve as anchors for the denture or partial denture. This provides exceptional stability and support as opposed to the suction, adhesive, and clasps.
Implant-supported dentures can be removable or fixed in place, depending on the patient’s preference and oral health situation. Patients will be able to chew more efficiently with them compared to traditional denture.
How to Clean Your Dentures
Denture care is essential for making your dentures last and your oral health. You must clean your dentures everyday just like you clean your teeth. Here are some tips on how to clean them:
- After every meal and snack, you should rinse your dentures with plain water to remove any food debris.
- If you wear removable dentures, you should take them out daily for cleaning. It is also important to give your gums and remaining teeth a rest.
- When cleaning your denture, use a soft-bristle brush and a mild cleanser to clean them. Avoid using abrasive toothpaste that will scratch the surface.
- When you clean your denture, gently brush all surfaces including the false teeth, base, and any other clasps or attachments.
- The best time to give your gums a rest is over night. During this time you should soak your denture in a denture cleaning solution or plain water to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out.
- Every time you put your dentures in, rinse them thoroughly to remove any residue from the cleaning solution.
How to Preserve Your Dentures
Dentures are strong dental restorations, however they are not indestructible. They need to be handled with care to maintain the quality and durability of their denture.
- When handling your denture, always do so over a soft surface and avoid hard surfaces. For example, if dropped on a sink, the denture could break.
- It is very important to visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and adjustments. This will ensure that your denture fit correctly and that is helps maintain your oral health.
- Never use hot water or boiling water to clean or soak your denture. This can warp them and affect how they fit.
- Avoid using bleach or abrasive cleaners because this can damage the denture material.
- If you are not wearing your denture, store them in a container filled with water or denture cleaner.