Dentures

Are you missing teeth? Do you wish your smile looked complete?

Dentures can help replace missing or extracted teeth and ensure you care for your smile.

What are Dentures?

Dentures are dental prosthesis devices that replace missing or extracted teeth. They can restore the normal functions of the teeth and gums, like chewing and talking, and improve the appearance of a person’s smile.

It is essential to replace missing or lost teeth. The gaps left by missing teeth can lead to more serious dental issues, like an increased risk for tooth decay and gum disease, misalignment of teeth, and jawbone density loss.

Dentures are made of various materials. Some types use an acrylic or resin base to support porcelain or acrylic replacement teeth; others use titanium to anchor dentures to surrounding teeth and as an anchor for replacement teeth.

Who Might Need Dentures?

A person might need dentures if they have lost some or all of their teeth due to decay, gum disease, trauma, or aging. Dentures can also be an option for people looking to enhance the appearance of their smile.

Types of Dentures:

There are several different kinds of dentures, which include:

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures replace a whole arc of natural teeth on the lower jaw, the upper jaw, or both. They consist of a complete set of removable replacement teeth set into a gum-colored plastic resin base.

Complete dentures are held in place by the suctioning effect of their close fit against the alveolar ridges, which are the bony ridges that contain the sockets of the teeth. Complete dentures for the upper jaw receive additional support from the roof of the mouth.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are used to replace individual missing teeth. Like complete dentures, they consist of removable replacement teeth set in a gum-colored base.

This type of denture is held in place by metal clasps that grip onto remaining natural teeth. They can easily be removed for cleaning or before bedtime.

Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures are a set of temporary dentures that are used to help a person transition to a set of complete dentures. They are placed over the gums immediately following tooth extraction and are protected as they heal.

While they may not fit as well as permanent dentures, immediate dentures provide a temporary set of functioning teeth and can help a person become accustomed to wearing them.

Overdentures

Overdentures, or implant-supported dentures, are the most advanced option available today. They are dentures permanently held in place using dental implants surgically placed directly into the jawbone.

Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots. They comprise a titanium post connected to the jawbone and an abutment to which replacement teeth are attached.

Once fully implanted, overdentures can offer all the stability and functionality of natural teeth. They can replace a single tooth, a row of several teeth, an entire arch of missing teeth, or an anchor for a dental bridge.

Snap-in Dentures

Snap-in dentures are implant-supported dentures that can be removed and then “snapped” back into place. They usually replace an entire arch of missing or extracted teeth.

Snap-in dentures, like overdentures, rely on a dental implant to ensure a stable fit. To be a candidate for snap-in or overdentures, a person must have a healthy jawbone to support an implant.

Customized Dentures

Customization is critical to the fit and appearance of any dentures. Most dentures can be customized to match the shape and size of surrounding teeth, shaded to blend in with existing teeth and gums, and sized and fit to offer superior comfort and function.

Customized dentures make dentures look and feel like a person’s natural teeth. They can help a person regain their confidence in the appearance of their smile.

With proper care and maintenance, dentures can provide a person with years of restored dental function and are a natural-looking solution for lost or missing teeth!

Do you or someone you love need dentures? Take the first step by requesting an appointment today at Premier Dental Care in Watertown, MA!