Fill Gaps in Your Smile with Dentures
If oral health issues or an accident has left you with only a few healthy teeth, or no healthy teeth at all, dentures may be right for you.
If you need dentures, your dentist will have them custom-made once your gums have healed from the tooth extraction or the trauma that caused you to lose your teeth. This can take four to six weeks. Depending on your situation, you may have the option for immediate dentures, which can be made in advance and placed once the teeth are removed. This can prevent you from having to be without teeth during the healing process.
Once you've received your dentures, the process of getting used to them is relatively easy and pain-free. That being said, it is normal to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty at the beginning. This will generally subside as your muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures.
Types of Dentures
Whether you need dentures to replace one missing tooth, a row of teeth or a whole jaw, your dentist can help you decide on the right option for you.
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Partial Dentures
Your dentist will use partial dentures if you are missing more than a few teeth or if your surrounding teeth are not strong enough to support a dental bridge. A partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it can prevent other teeth from shifting.
Partial dentures are made up of one or more artificial teeth held in place by clasps that fit onto your natural teeth or a tooth replacement like a dental crown.
They can be removed for cleaning and sleeping.
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Full Dentures
Full dentures, also referred to as complete dentures, are used when all of the teeth in a jaw are missing.
You can have them fitted for your upper or lower gums, and they are held in place by suction and/or with the help of an oral adhesive.
Full dentures can be removed for cleaning and sleeping.
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Implant-Supported Dentures
If there is not enough gum tissue to support full dentures, dental implants may be used to help stabilize the dentures for a secure fit.
Why Dentures May Be Used
Filling a gap left by missing teeth is essential to long-term oral health. Dentures can keep your remaining teeth from shifting, which may also prevent more serious problems such as gum disease since misaligned teeth can be more challenging to keep clean.
Dentures can also help you maintain your facial profile and support proper eating and speech patterns. They also support the gums and jaw which can prevent facial muscles from sagging, making you appear older.
They are designed to closely resemble your natural teeth and gums, so that the appearance of your smile will not change much.