The Truth About Dentures
You’ve flossed and brushed your whole life, and through the years, those teeth have held out and fought a good fight. But now, those little traitors are starting the retreat and fall out of your mouth despite your gallant efforts to save them. Or even worse, you haven’t reached your golden years, but your teeth are being evicted from your mouth. Whether you’ve had a lifetime with your pearly whites or you’re facing significant tooth-loss due to other circumstances, we here at Eldorado Dental know that you need a fix for your tooth loss.
There are a variety of ways to deal with tooth-loss. Options like dental implants, though popular, are pricey and many times not covered by insurance. Crowns are a solid go-to but if tooth-loos is severe, there won’t be much for the crowns to hold on to. In most cases, the best and most cost-effective way to deal with missing teeth is to turn to dentures.
There are two types of dentures: dentures and partial dentures
Partial Dentures: If you have some teeth hanging on and need to fill some gaps, partial dentures are the way to go. Partial dentures are either removable or fixed. Removable partial dentures are held in place by a series of clasps and metal framework that hold on to the remaining teeth, using them as an anchor. These dentures should be removed and cleaned periodically to maintain good oral hygiene.
Partial dentures or dental bridges are permanent and cannot be removed. With this option, crowns are placed on adjacent, healthy teeth to anchor the dental bridge in place, bridging tooth gaps.
Dentures: With total tooth loss, or if facing total tooth loss, full dentures are your best alternative. Complete dentures can be for the upper, lower or whole mouth (in extreme circumstances). Your dentist will take casts of your mouth to form dentures even if your final teeth haven’t been extracted yet. Once all teeth are gone, you will have an option for immediate dentures. Like their name states, these dentures are ready immediately. Immediate dentures will work fine but will need to be adjusted as your gums heal.
Conventional dentures, though easier on healing gums, need time to be constructed and are usually available 8-12 weeks after your last tooth is extracted. Though easier on your gums, conventional dentures still need to be periodically adjusted to accommodate your changing mouth.
No one wants wide-spread tooth-loss but tooth-loss happens none the less. Contact your dentist and make a plan to combat those gaping spaces and restore your smile.