Dentures are a removable replacement for missing teeth. They are made to mimic the form and function of natural teeth, including your natural bite. It typically consists of a full set of teeth (upper or lower arch) or just a few teeth attached to a base that is made to be secured on the gums through suction, dental adhesives, or wirework as in partial dentures. At Stefani J Allison DMD, dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth and gums.
Partial Dentures
A removable partial denture is composed of artificial teeth attached to a gum-colored acrylic base and is designed to replace missing teeth where a good number of natural teeth remain. The partial denture is designed to match your existing teeth and gums so no one will be able to tell you’re wearing it. It snaps easily into place among your remaining teeth.
Some partial dentures have metal clasps attached to them, which connect to your neighboring natural teeth. However, there are also partial dentures that use plastic and wire clasps that are more discreet.
The Benefits of Partials
Partial dentures provide the patient with a replacement for their missing teeth. Many people benefit from partial dentures because they provide support for facial muscles, as well as restored ability to chew food.
Partial dentures also restore the patient’s ability to speak clearly, as well as protect their remaining teeth from shifting.
Full Dentures
Where partial dentures replace some missing teeth, full dentures replace full arches of teeth whether the top, bottom, or both. Like partials, a removable full denture is composed of artificial teeth attached to a gum-colored acrylic base and is designed to anchor onto the gums via suction forces and/or with the help of denture adhesives. Full dentures are designed to look like your natural teeth and gums so your facial will be restored.
The Benefits of Full Dentures
Full dentures provide the patient with a replacement for their missing teeth where all of their teeth in one or both arches have been lost or need to be removed. They also provide support for facial muscles, restoring the face from that sunken appearance produced by the loss of full arches of teeth. Full dentures also restores to a degree the ability to chew food.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are dentures that are anchored in the mouth by dental implants instead of a metal framework as in the case of partials or suction and adhesives as in full dentures. Dental implants are titanium tooth roots surgically inserted into the jaw, providing a stable foundation. Implant dentures come in two types: the fixed implant-supported dentures that are permanently secured onto the jaw, and the removable implant-retained dentures that can be snapped on and off the implant abutments.
The Benefits of Implant Dentures
Dental implants are a long-term solution because there is no risk of them slipping out of place, unlike conventional dentures. Implant dentures also don’t require messy adhesives, nor do they rub uncomfortably against the gums.
How to Care For Your Dentures
Dentures should be cleaned by brushing them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and by rinsing them with water. You should never use toothpaste or other abrasive cleaning products on your dentures, as this can cause scratches.
If you have fixed implant-supported dentures, you should take care of them the same way you take care of your natural teeth — by brushing them and flossing regularly. Also, visit us regularly for checkups.
Learn more about the benefits of dentures by visiting Stefani J Allison DMD at 200 Ave K SE Suite #1, Winter Haven, FL 33880 or calling Dentist in Winter Haven, FL at (863) 299-2192.
