A common misconception about dentures is that they are purely an aesthetic dental appliance. The fact is dentures also provide people who are missing a significant number or even all of their teeth with a better ability to eat and speak.
From an aesthetic perspective, dentures also do more than fill in the gaps of missing teeth. People who have lost their teeth, perhaps because of injury, tooth decay or gum disease, can appear much older than their years. Missing teeth means less support for facial tissue, which can cause a sagging appearance.
There are three types of dentures. Determining your best fit is part of Dr. Chen’s expertise and can be done during an in-office consultation.
Three Types of Dentures
There is a trio of denture options available, depending on specific patient need and desired result.
Conventional Dentures
The first, conventional dentures are completely removable and replace all of your natural teeth. Before conventional dentures can be installed, every tooth must be removed, with adequate time allotted for the gum line and surrounding tissues to heal. The healing process can take up to several months.
Healing Dentures
As the name implies, immediate dentures are installed the very same day that any remaining teeth are removed. In this scenario, measurements will have been taken and models of the jaw made beforehand. The benefit of healing dentures is that there is no time spent without teeth, although a conventional denture needs to be made, following the jaw completely healing.
Overdentures
In the case of overdentures, some of a patient’s natural teeth are preserved, which helps stabilize the overdenture. Fitting over the remaining teeth, overdentures are similar to implants.
Regardless of the type of dentures required, follow-up appointments are necessary to check fit and function. During these visits, you’ll be advised how best to take care of your dentures and your oral health, overall.
Do dentures appeal to you for aesthetic or practical reasons? Maybe a combination of the two? Give Denise a call and ask for a dentures consultation with Dr. Chen. Rest assured, our Crown Dental team will find the solution for your strongest smile.