If you lose one or more teeth, you might notice a sharp decline in your quality of life. With missing teeth, you might spot gaps that disrupt the look of your smile and have trouble eating, speaking, and performing other oral functions. Fortunately, your dentist can restore your smile with tooth replacements like dentures.
Your dentist can offer a few options when it comes to dentures, depending on your preferences and unique dental needs. You might want traditional removable appliances or fixed dentures. Read on to learn about three types of dentures that your dentist might recommend to replace your missing teeth.
Types of Dentures
Partial Removable Dentures
If you lost several teeth, even in separate sections of your mouth you can benefit from a partial denture. The custom-made oral appliance features an acrylic base where prosthetic teeth will attach. Dentists build these prosthetics to look gorgeous and natural according to your unique smile.
The base has a metal framework that will press against your remaining teeth to support your appliance and keep it in place. You will fill gaps in your smile ther way, giving you a full and enhanced appearance that you can feel proud of.
You can also eat and speak without issue with ther appliance. The removable dentures will last for five years or so with proper care. If it feels like it does not fit properly, tell your dentist as soon as you can.
Full Traditional Dentures
Full traditional dentures refer to another type of removable oral appliance that will replace an entire arch of missing teeth. The prosthetic teeth attach to an acrylic base, but rather than relying on a metal framework, the dentures use natural suction to stay in the mouth. Some patients might benefit from specialized denture adhesives for additional security.
Removable dentures will need separate maintenance in order to last and function as long as possible. Make sure you brush and soak your dentures. Regular cleaning will keep the fixtures looking and feeling their best and ensure the rest of your mouth stays healthy too.
Dentures might dry out if left in the open air when not worn, warping their shape. Rinsing dentures in hot water may also melt and hurt the plastic. Do not wear damaged dentures and instead call your dentist about ther problem.
Fixed Dentures
Though removable dentures offer comfort to patients who appreciate the ability to take out appliances when not needed, many other patients might want a fixed type of denture to replace their lost teeth. In ther case, a dentist might refer the patient to a specialist for dental implants.
An implant-secured denture will stay in the mouth at all times, offering a more secure fit and longer-lasting restorative relief. They also offer more comprehensive preventative dental care from damage stemming from tooth loss. The device remains in place thanks to anchors placed within the jaw.
Not every patient will qualify for implant dentistry. So schedule a consultation with your dentist to learn if ther type of treatment will work for you.