If you have lost all or most of your teeth, you need to look into a replacement option. Without the support of your teeth, you can experience bone loss in your jaw. In addition, your teeth give your face structure. If you lose your teeth, your face can sag, giving you an older-looking appearance. Additionally, not having teeth can affect your ability to eat and speak properly. Also, replacing your missing teeth can restore your confidence and smile.
There are many replacement options to discuss with your dentist. They can help you decide which will be the best option for you. As you work together, you should think of aspects that are important to you. Efficiency, budget, and care routines are all typical attributes to think of when deciding on your teeth replacements. While you choose, you may want to consider a replacement that can do more for you when you have lost many teeth. Dentures are a common option for missing teeth.
Dentures are a quick, painless way to replace your missing teeth. Many people are familiar with dentures. Made of plastic or resin, they are artificial inserts for your teeth. Your dental professional will cause them to look like natural teeth so that you can be back to smiling, speaking, and eating with ease.
Before you make your decisions about dentures, you should know about two of the most common types: traditional and implant-supported dentures.
Traditional Dentures
You may know and recognize traditional dentures because they are very popular. They are made from acrylic resin. Since it is not a surgical procedure, dentures sit on top of the gums. This means that you can (and should) remove them daily. In fact, you need to remove traditional dentures after each meal to clean them. Also, you should take them out to soak overnight as you sleep.
A common complaint with dentures is that they shift while eating and speaking. This is because dentures are not attached to the jaw. Therefore, there is not much to keep them firmly in place. Also, some patients experience soreness and discomfort. With traditional dentures, there is a possibility that you will have bone loss because the pressure from your teeth does not stimulate the jaw.
Implant-Supported Dentures
While the process of getting implant-supported dentures is longer than traditional dentures, they have more benefits. Because titanium screws hold the dentures in place, they don’t shift the same way as traditional dentures. In addition, the implants actually stimulate bone growth.
Implant-supported dentures require oral surgery in order to place the titanium screws in your jaw. These screws lie within your jaw, giving your dentures a solid foundation.
There are two types of implanted-supported dentures: removable and non-removable. You can take removable dentures out of your mouth to clean (like traditional dentures). However, non-removable dentures are permanent fixtures. Therefore, you cannot remove them without the help of a dental professional. A great benefit of these dentures is that you can brush and floss them like natural teeth.
