Dentures have been the trusted method of replacing missing teeth for decades and are a top choice among patients suffering from more drastic cases of tooth loss. Whether you opt for traditional removable dentures or ones retained by dental implants, both will help you regain a fully functional, whole smile—an absolutely priceless result! If you’re missing several or all of your teeth along an arch, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Goldberg today to learn more about how we can help rebuild your grin with dentures in Succasunna.
Has your health and overall quality of life been negatively impacted by tooth loss? If so, you might be wondering if you’re a candidate for dentures. Good news: many patients who have lost multiple teeth in a row, several teeth throughout their mouth, or an entire arch are! So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at our Succasunna dental office if you are ready to explore your treatment options. If you want to do a bit more research first, then don’t hesitate to read on to learn a little more on the topic.
Tooth loss can significantly impact your oral health and appearance. In fact, even a single missing tooth will lead to many oral health issues that will progress into larger problems. For example, gaps along the arch can cause your remaining teeth to shift towards the gap. Once your teeth begin to shift, it’s only a matter of time until your bite is misaligned as well.
It’s also worth noting that people who have lost teeth are also more prone to receding gums, tooth decay, and gum disease. Plus, once a tooth is gone, the underlying jawbone will begin to slowly deteriorate, causing your facial appearance to change by developing drooping skin and sunken cheeks. As a result, people with untreated tooth loss often look years older than they really are.
During your consultation with Dr. Goldberg, he will review your dental history and conduct a comprehensive oral exam. With an in-depth understanding of your dental needs and smile goals, he can determine if you’re a good candidate for dentures. Fortunately, many patients who are struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss are.
Important note: If you aren’t a candidate for dentures because of an existing oral health problem, like a severely decayed tooth or infected gums, we can provide the preliminary treatment you need. In other words, having a complete smile isn’t out of reach. We’ll create a custom treatment plan for you to ensure the final result is truly spectacular.
There are so many benefits to replacing your teeth with dentures, including long-term durability and improved biting and chewing ability. That said, there are some cases where we recommend either a dental bridge or dental implants instead. Here’s a little more information on each:
We offer several types of dentures to meet the various needs of our patients. Each type has unique advantages and disadvantages. Dentures can be removable as well as fixed. No matter which type of denture you choose, it will take some time to adjust to wearing it. Continue reading to learn about the different types of dentures.
Several missing teeth may be replaced with partial dentures, a similar restoration to a dental bridge. This solution is made of false teeth, an acrylic base, and small metal clasps. Partial dentures are placed between the remaining teeth for a seamless and natural look. This treatment option can make it easier for patients to bite and chew, as it balances the force of their bite. The downside to partials is they rely on remaining teeth for support, which can lead to potential oral health issues.
Full or complete dentures replace an entire arch of missing teeth. We can create a custom denture to go on the top or bottom jaw. A full denture will fit over the top of your gums and suction will help them remain in place. Denture adhesive can also be used if necessary. The false teeth on a complete set of dentures are fused to a base that is made out of acrylic that will mimic the appearance of gum tissue for a natural appearance. The downside to full dentures is they are not very stable. Denture wearers often complain that they move around, causing speech and chewing issues.
Dental implants offer a secure infrastructure for both partial and full dentures, as they anchor the denture to dental implants instead of resting on the gums. Anywhere from 2 to 6 dental implants will be surgically placed into the jawbone where they will fuse with the bone. This creates a more stable and secure fit than traditional dentures. The denture can either be fixed in place with screws or snap on to the implant fixtures. The downside to implant dentures is that not everyone will qualify for them, and some patients may require a graft to strengthen the jawbone so it can support the implants. However, this solution offers significantly more benefits for your health and overall well-being compared to traditional removable dentures.
We recommend that patients wear their dentures during the day and remove them at night before bed. Your mouth and gum tissue need between six to eight hours to rest without dentures in. Patients may soak their dentures in room temperature water or a denture cleaning solution at night.
It typically takes a few days to a week for partial dentures to settle and for your gums to adjust to the pressure the dentures place on them. It is normal to experience tender pain or sensitivity during this time. With time you will adjust, and they will feel comfortable and completely normal.
Patients can eat normally with a partial denture. Once patients adjust to the feeling of speaking and chewing with their dentures, they may need to adjust their diet. Patients should avoid sticky foods such as chewy candies, chewing gum, and peanut butter. We also advise patients to be careful when chewing tough meats and bread.
Dentures may alter the shape of some patients’ faces, but usually in a positive way. Dentures offer extra support to the jaw and facial structure, giving patients a more youthful appearance.
Partial dentures should not hurt because we create them to fit your mouth perfectly. During the first few weeks after getting dentures, it is not uncommon to feel slight discomfort; however, this will go away. After a week or two, you should feel comfortable and pain-free while wearing your dentures.
When eating with a partial or full denture, you may experience food particles sticking between your denture and gum tissue. This may cause discomfort and gum irritation. Denture adhesive can combat this issue, as it seals the space between your denture and your gums so that nothing can get caught in between.
