The Benefits of Removable and Partial Dentures
Missing teeth can affect your confidence, the functionality of your bite, and even your overall oral health. So Brightwork Family Dentistry offers state-of-the-art dental treatments to help improve your smile and get your mouth back to top function.
Removable and partial dentures can both be great options to replace missing teeth, depending on the number of remaining healthy teeth you have and where the gaps are located. Book a consultation with one of our caring doctors to see which type of dentures might be right for you:
Complete and partial dentures
There are two types of removable dentures: complete dentures, and partial dentures. Complete dentures may be indicated if you are missing most or all of your teeth, while partial dentures may be an option if you’re only missing some teeth. Available at a surprisingly reasonable cost, dentures can be a great, affordable alternative to – or used in conjunction with – more expensive[d1] options like dental implants and bridges.
Different structures for different needs
While complete dentures typically sit on an acrylic base that is fitted over your bare gums, partial dentures rest on a metal framework attached to your natural teeth. Sometimes crowns may be added to your natural teeth to help hold a partial denture firmly in place.
Dentures are unique to you
Your Brightwork dentist will take expert impressions of your mouth and send them to a professional dental laboratory to make dentures custom-fit for your mouth. The process involves incremental adjustments, so you’ll be scheduled for a period of regular visits until the denture is properly fitted and ready for use.
You don’t have to go out without teeth
In a case where teeth are being extracted to prepare for dentures, you might be concerned about the wait time while your mouth heals and while the dental lab is creating your dentures – but don’t worry, immediate (also known as temporary) dentures might be an option.
Immediate dentures ensure that you won’t go without teeth while your permanent dentures are being made, and they can also help protect your gums while they heal from extractions. They won’t fit as well as your permanent dentures will, but our team will happily work with you on adjustments (relining) as needed until your permanent appliance is ready.
Dentures are easy to get used to
After you first get your dentures they may feel awkward in your mouth, and might cause discomfort or even sores on your gums. It may take a few weeks for your mouth and cheeks to get used to your new dentures, but once they do, you will be able to speak, eat, and smile like always. Partial dentures are easier to adjust to, and they even add support to your natural teeth.
Dentures look like real teeth
Unlike the dentures of years ago – which often appeared plastic-y and fake – modern dentures look and feel like real teeth. They are made of advanced, natural-looking materials that can be color-matched to your desired shade of tooth whiteness and gum color. High-tech adhesives are available to keep dentures firmly in place, and adjustments will ensure that your dentures continue to fit perfectly even as your mouth changes shape with age.
Despite all the benefits of complete and partial dentures, they aren’t the right solution for everyone – but if you’re a candidate for dentures, you’ll find that custom dental dentures are absolutely worth the process and the investment. Book an appointment today to find out if removable dentures are a good fit for you.