What are Dentures?
Dentures are artificial tooth replacements that allow patients with missing teeth to maintain their facial profile, eat properly and speak well. They can be used to replace one missing tooth, several missing teeth or all of the teeth.
Replacing missing teeth is essential to your oral health. If you are missing all or some of your natural teeth, dentures may be an affordable option for replacing them.
Types of Dentures
Whether you need dentures to replace one missing tooth, a row of teeth, or a whole jaw, your dentist can help figure out the right option for you.
- Full Dentures
Your dentist will use full dentures, commonly referred to as false teeth or complete dentures, if you are missing an entire jaw of teeth.
You can have them fitted for your upper or lower gums, and they are held in place by suction and/or with the help of an oral adhesive.
Full dentures can be removed for cleaning and sleeping.
- Partial Dentures
Your dentist will use partial dentures if you are missing more than a few teeth or if your surrounding teeth are not strong enough to support a dental bridge.
Partial dentures are made up of one or more artificial teeth held in place by clasps that fit onto your natural teeth or a tooth replacement like a dental crown.
They can be removed for cleaning and sleeping.
- Implant-Supported Dentures
If there is not enough gum tissue to support full dentures, dental implants may be used to help stabilize the dentures for a secure fit.
Why Dentures May Be Used
If you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can start to sag, making you look older. Dentures can also help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change dramatically.
Filling in a gap caused by missing teeth is also crucial to your long-term oral health. By fitting you for dentures, your dentist will also help protect your remaining teeth from shifting, which can lead to more serious issues like gum disease.