Dentures are an excellent option for people who have lost teeth due to injuries, aging, or other health issues. They are also great for restoring your smile after some terrible dental work. Dentures provide the same functionality and comfort as your natural teeth. Still, they are more durable and easier to keep clean. Haleh Fazeli DDS can also use dentures as an alternative to continued tooth loss after more permanent dental implants have been placed.
Dentures can come in various styles and designs, affecting fit and function. The type of denture your dentist chooses for you depends on your lifestyle and needs. Here are some of the most common types:
Complete dentures
A complete denture is a type of restoration that replaces all the teeth, including the upper and lower jaws and the facial bones in your face. Dentists can use complete dentures to replace all of your natural teeth or only the upper ones. A removable partial is an option that may work better for some people with limited chewing ability.
Partial dentures
Partial dentures are less expensive than complete dentures because they cover only the front teeth but do not fully replace all the teeth in the mouth. Dentists often use partial dentures when there are missing teeth, broken teeth, or significant gaps between existing teeth and gums (spaces).
Dental implants
Dental implants are artificial structures that replace missing teeth with a dental prosthesis (a prosthetic device) attached to the bone via screws inserted through tiny holes drilled into the jawbone. Replacing missing teeth with dental implants can give you a beautiful smile even if you were born missing some or many teeth.
Conventional ceramic composite (CPC) crowns
These can be made from either porcelain or metal and provide a natural-looking tooth structure with smooth edges. They last about ten years before they need replacing. However, their durability depends on how well you maintain them over time.
Dentists use abrasives to smooth out grooves on abutments (the posts for supporting the crowns) so that it looks like natural teeth when wearing them and does not damage your gums. This type of abutment is called an abrasion-resistant or abrasion-resistant material (ARS). Experts call it “chemical-free” because there is no need for chemicals such as stannous fluoride or amalgam when wearing these types of dentures.
Plastic dentures
Physicians often make plastic dentures from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The material is inert and resistant to acid, base, and heat. In addition, these types of dentures are more resistant to cracking and breaking than metal ones. The main advantage of plastic dentures is that they are long-lasting. They are also available in different colors and shapes.
Tooth loss is not uncommon in older adults, but it can be devastating to both patients and their families. When you lose your natural teeth, you may experience pain in the jawbone area where your original teeth once were. That pain is often only temporary, but if left untreated, it can become chronic pain over time. Dentures can help you regain confidence in yourself and your appearance by providing a solution for missing teeth and improving oral health overall. Contact Laguna Beach Dental Excellence and schedule an appointment with a dentist to learn more about dentures and the types suitable for your needs.