The loss of some or all of your natural teeth can affect many aspects of your life, from basic activities such as eating and speaking to your confidence in social situations.
Removable dentures, or false teeth, can be a good option for patients who are missing some or all of their teeth and require a prosthesis to recover lost function and aesthetics.
What to expect from dentures
There are several options for patients seeking tooth replacement treatments. When considering dentures, it’s important to keep in mind that every case is different—what works for one patient may not be the optimal solution for you.
At your initial examination, we will do records and charting and may do an X-ray of your jaws. Once we have collected the necessary information, we can discuss the type of treatment that is best suited to your needs.
If you and your dental care team determine that a denture is a good solution for your clinical situation, you should expect a well-made denture to:
- be stable and comfortable in your mouth
- stay in place during normal movements and function
- give you a reasonable ability to chew
- allow for normal speech
- provide adequate lip support so your face doesn’t appear sunken
- provide a pleasing, natural smile
- maintain the correct vertical dimension—meaning the distance between the chin and nose—so you don’t experience discomfort in the jaw joints and muscles
Types of dentures
There are two types of dentures: partial and complete. Partial dentures can be used when some natural teeth remain, while complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing.
A variety of materials can be used to construct partial dentures, from metal frameworks to acrylic to flexible materials such as Valplast or Duraflex.
Options for denture wearers
Sometimes a person will have trouble tolerating even the best-made denture. In those cases, your dentist may prescribe two or more dental implants with snaps that allow the denture to be securely attached in the mouth. In other cases, a denture can be snapped onto an implant-supported metal bar.
Your dentist will discuss the various options with you and advise you on the best treatment for your situation.
Contact Affinity Dental Sherwood Park today for more information about dentures and other tooth replacement options.