Dentures
Dentures in Porterville, CA
It’s no secret that there is a social stigma around dentures. While people may proudly brag about their latest whitening treatment or new veneers, people don’t usually like talking about their dentures, or they simply associate them exclusively with the elderly.
However, there’s no reason to be embarrassed if you need dentures. The odds are that you probably know some people with them but didn’t even realize it. When done correctly, contemporary dentures look seamless and appear natural. Additionally, dentures can bring life back to the face by supporting dental structures. Also, dentures can improve speech patterns, chewing capabilities, and aid digestion.
Live Oak Dental Group helps people of all ages with missing teeth decide which types of dentures are most suitable for their needs.
What are dentures?
In summary, dentures are removable dental appliances used to replace several missing teeth. They are modeled to resemble your natural teeth closely.
The Two Types of Dentures: Partial and Complete
Dentures can be separated into two categories based on how many teeth are missing:
- Partial dentures (or partials) are best suited for patients who have lost several teeth in an arch (but still have some teeth intact). Not only do partials fill in empty spaces, but they also can help keep other teeth from moving out of alignment.
- Complete dentures are ideal for patients who have lost all of their teeth in a dental arch.
What to Expect
As with any type of dental treatment, it’s normal to be curious about the treatment process and what life with dentures will be like:
Process
Getting dentures requires several appointments over several weeks. After your dentist prepares the mouth (if necessary), he or she will obtain impressions and measurements that will be later used to create your custom-made dentures.
To ensure optimal dentures, your dentist may require several try-on appointments. He or she will check for proper fit, color, and shape. Your dentist will make adjustments and place your completed dentures at your last denture appointment, confirming that they feel and look amazing.
Adjustment Period
Immediately after receiving your dentures, anticipate an adjustment period. Commonly, patients temporarily experience:
- Some soreness
- Increased saliva flow
- Potential speech and chewing difficulty
Thankfully, this should subside as your muscles adjust to the new dentures.
Maintenance
Upon reception, you will receive care instructions for your new dentures, and these practices can extend the lifespan of your dentures:
- Actively and properly cleaning the dentures
- Maintaining excellent oral hygiene
- Participating in regular dental visits
- Keeping up with relining, repairs, and readjustments (when necessary)
Candidacy for Dentures
If (like many others) you are suffering from significant tooth loss but generally have healthy gums and facial bones, dentures may be an excellent choice for you.
In rare instances, a person might not qualify for dentures, for example:
- If you have periodontal disease or other ailments, your dentist may suggest correcting those issues before creating dentures.
- If you are unwilling or unable to remove your dentures from time to time or keep up with maintenance, then you’re likely to develop irritated or lacerated gums. Therefore, you may not be responsible enough to care for dentures. Thus, causing more harm than good.
- If you are missing only one or two teeth, then a dental bridge or implant-supported crown is the preferred choice.
