What are my options for dentures?
Two types of dentures are available: complete and partial. Complete dentures are needed when an entire row of teeth are missing. Partial dentures fill in when you’re missing a few teeth, but some natural teeth remain. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents the other teeth from shifting.
What are the types of complete dentures?
Complete dentures may be conventional or immediate. You qualify for a traditional type of denture after losing your teeth due to injury or decay, and your gum tissue has healed. Usually, these are placed after 4-6 weeks, a time in which you will go without teeth.
Immediate dentures are a good choice when you’ve lost your teeth as a result of illness, injury, or decay and need quick placement. Immediate dentures are premade and placed quickly, so you don’t have to go without teeth at any time. They aren’t customized, however, and need to be regularly relined as your gum tissue shrinks with healing.
What are the advantages of dentures?
Dentures are durable and can last many years. They do need to be remade, repaired, and readjusted during normal wear. In most cases, regular visits to Loudoun Family and Cosmetic Dentistry every six months keeps your dentures well-fitted and in good shape.
The advantages of dentures also include:
- Improved self-esteem
- Better appearance and smile
- Support for facial muscles to discourage slack
- Enhanced speech
- Ability to eat a varied diet
- Removable for easy cleaning
Partial dentures and complete dentures afford these benefits.
Do I need partial dentures?
If you’re missing a molar or front tooth, partial dentures are a good choice. Partial dentures usually feature a metal framework that securely anchors to your existing teeth and stays in place without the use of dental adhesives. Acrylic partial dentures are also available but need more frequent replacement. Acrylic dentures may be recommended if you have missing front teeth.
Partial dentures complete a smile or fill in molars to provide sturdy support for chewing. They also prevent shifts in your existing teeth that can cause an irregular smile and shrinking gum tissue.
If you have tooth loss, contact Loudoun Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to learn your denture options. Call the office or request your appointment online today.
