What Are Dentures And Partial Dentures?

Several things can happen when you lose your teeth. You’re likely to experience difficulties eating and speaking. Over time, tooth loss can lead to jawbone deterioration, facial sagging, and tooth crookedness. You can prevent these issues by replacing lost teeth.

If you’ve lost a few or all of your natural teeth, getting a denture is a practical way to enhance your smile and improve oral health and function. It’s a better alternative to more invasive and costly replacement methods like dental implants. Let’s discuss dentures, what they are, their types, and their benefits.

What are Dentures?

A denture is a dental device used to replace missing teeth and gums. It contains artificial teeth and gums worn over the natural gums and teeth (if any). Thanks to improved technology in dentistry, dentures are made to look and function like natural teeth.

There are two main types of dentures: Full and partial dentures, depending on the number of teeth missing, the procedure, and the overall cost. Full or complete dentures are suitable if you lost all of your natural teeth on the lower or upper jaw, or both. Complete dentures are ideal if you’ve lost all of your natural teeth. Get in touch with our Dallas dentist for partials and dentures.

When do you need full and partial dentures?

Full dentures are ideal if you miss all your natural teeth in either or both jaws. Complete dentures are removable and come in two styles: conventional and immediate. Immediate dentures are placed immediately after the last teeth are extracted.

It means you don’t have to stay without teeth to allow the gums to heal before you get the denture. Immediate dentures require to be adjusted to accommodate any changes after healing. In most cases, immediate dentures are used temporarily as you wait for permanent dentures.

With conventional complete dentures, you must wait about 8 – 12 weeks after extracting the last tooth. It gives the gums and bone tissues enough time to heal before the denture is placed. Many people don’t like this option because it means you have to stay without teeth for an extended period.

Partial Dentures are chosen if you’re missing a few natural teeth. Partial dentures can be removable or fixed (dental bridges). These dentures are supported by metal frameworks or dental crowns attached to your natural teeth.

Benefits of using dentures

While it might take some weeks to get used to wearing and using dentures, the benefits are worth it. Benefits of replacing teeth with dentures include:

• Dentures are custom-made to feel and look like natural teeth.
• A denture improves your appearance and self-confidence.
• Dentures maintain your facial muscles and prevent facial sagging and premature aging.
• Dentures are comfortable.
• Dentures restore your bite function, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods.
• Dentures are more cost-effective than other replacement treatments like implants.
• Dentures are less invasive than dental implants.
• Dentures prevent the adjacent teeth next to the gaps from shifting out of position.
• Dentures decrease jawbone deterioration.
• Dentures are easy to clean and maintain.
• Dentures are long-lasting.
• Dentures improve your speech.

Tips for Caring for your Dentures

To ensure your dentures serve you well and longer, use these tips to care for them:

• Clean your dentures gently, thoroughly, and daily to remove plaque and food debris and prevent staining and bad breath. Soak the dentures overnight to prevent them from drying out. Never use hot water as it can cause them to warp.
• Handle your dentures with care. They can easily break if they fall.
• Brush your teeth, gums, and mouth daily after removing the dentures at night and in the morning before wearing them.
• Contact a dentist near you if your dentures break, crack, wear down, or become loose. Never adjust your dentures on your own.
• Avoid chewing on hard items as the dentures can crack, chip, dislodge, or break.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in dentures & partials in Dallas? Contact Trinity Dental Loft – Dallas to begin your treatment today.