If you’re missing most or all of your teeth, dentures are a way to fill the gaps in your smile quickly and easily. You’ll be able to eat, talk, and smile with a level of confidence you might not have been able to for a long time!
Considering the ease and affordability of dentures, there’s no reason to hesitate if you’re trying to bring back your best smile. Reach out to the team here at Center One Dental in Canonsburg, PA and we’ll be happy to show you what this treatment can do.
Dentures can help almost anyone with missing teeth achieve beautiful and complete smiles, but you’ll need to schedule a consultation at our Canonsburg office to know for sure if they can be a suitable treatment for you. If Dr. Vekariya determines that you aren’t a good denture candidate yet, you may be able to become one later after undergoing preliminary treatments like gum disease therapy or bone grafts. Here’s a brief guide to who may be able to benefit from these remarkable dental appliances.
The American College of Prosthodontists reports that the most common causes of tooth loss are tooth decay, gum disease, and injury, and living with missing teeth can lead to a range of oral health problems. After a tooth is lost, the bone structure that supported it begins to recede due to lack of exercise, and this can pull the neighboring teeth out of alignment, making them harder to clean and easier to injure. Tooth loss also leaves the gums exposed to injury by food debris within the mouth. Missing teeth can also leave a patient with unsightly facial sagging, difficulty eating and speaking, and diminished self-esteem.
You may be an excellent candidate for dentures if you have lost many teeth, deal with severe dental sensitivity, or have extensive tooth decay as long as you have sufficiently healthy gums and jawbones and can commit to the excellent oral hygiene practices necessary to keep your mouth and prosthetic appliance in great shape. The number of teeth you are missing will determine whether you can be served best with partial, full, or implant dentures. These appliances are also generally more affordable than other tooth replacement options, so they can be an especially excellent treatment for patients on a budget.
If dentures aren’t a suitable tooth replacement treatment for you, you may be able to benefit from another dental prosthetic appliance. A few options include:
Dental bridges: These appliances are one or several artificial teeth strung together and supported by either dental crowns placed on the teeth on either side of the gap or dental implants surgically inserted into and fused with the jawbone. They can be great for patients who are missing several teeth in a row and can last up to fifteen years if they receive excellent care.
Dental implants: These small titanium posts are placed directly into the jaw and fused with the surrounding bone tissue through the natural process of osseointegration. This creates the sturdy foundation a restoration like a dental crown, bridge, or denture needs for maximum stability and chewing power.
There are several kinds of dentures, each with their own benefits and use case. If you’re curious, here’s what you should know about each of them.
Partial dentures are designed to replace one or more missing teeth while preserving the remaining natural teeth. They're typically made with a metal that holds the artificial teeth in place. Ideal for individuals who still have some healthy teeth, they help restore function and appearance without the need for full dentures.
Full dentures are designed for individuals who have lost all their teeth in either the upper or lower jaw, or both. They're custom-made from acrylic or resin materials to fit snugly over the gums. Full dentures restore the ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently, providing full-mouth tooth replacement for complete tooth loss.
Implant dentures are anchored to dental implants surgically placed into the jawbone, offering enhanced stability compared to traditional dentures. Made from durable materials like porcelain or acrylic, they’re ideal for individuals with sufficient bone structure who want a more permanent, secure solution for missing teeth. Implant dentures improve chewing efficiency and prevent bone loss over time.
Dentures offer several benefits for individuals with missing teeth. First, they restore the ability to chew and speak more effectively, which can improve overall quality of life. By filling the gaps left by missing teeth, dentures also enhance your smile and facial appearance, helping prevent the sunken look that often occurs with tooth loss.
Dentures are custom-made to fit comfortably and can be easily removed for cleaning, making them a convenient option for maintaining oral hygiene. They also provide a more affordable alternative to dental implants or bridges, especially for those needing multiple teeth replaced. With proper care, dentures can last for many years, offering a reliable and non-invasive solution for tooth replacement.
If you have any questions about what dentures could do for you, reach out to us for a consultation today!