Missing teeth can lead to major disruptions in your daily life. But you can find effective restorative dental solutions to replace any lost teeth when you consult with your dentist. They can evaluate your smile and find prosthetic teeth in the form of dentures that will work best with your budget and dental needs.
Whether you have lost a few or an entire arch of teeth, your dentist can find an oral appliance that will suit your unique smile. Read on to learn about three types of dentures your dentist may recommend to replace your missing teeth.
Which Dentures Will Best Restore My Smile?
Partial Dentures
If you have lost more than one tooth, even in separate areas in the arch of your smile, your dentist can help you replace these teeth using a single restorative oral appliance.
Partial dentures are removable devices that feature prosthetic teeth attached to an acrylic base. They can rely on a combination of natural suction and metal framework secured to remaining natural teeth to stay in place.
These dentures can fill gaps in the smile and make it easier to eat, speak, and perform other oral functions that might have been hindered by the missing teeth. Because they are removable, you can take them out when not in use, such as during sleep.
Full Removable Dentures
If needed, you can also use removable dentures to replace a full arch of missing teeth. In this case, the dentures will rely on natural suction to remain in the mouth. Some patients might benefit from using an adhesive paste for extra security for their appliances.
Removable dentures offer comfort since they can be taken out of the mouth when not needed. But they will not last as long as their fixed counterparts. They will require additional cleaning and maintenance. For instance, you must soak dentures when not in use or they will dry out and lose their shape.
They will last for five years or so before needing replacement. However, these dentures are more affordable than a fixed type of denture.
Implant-Supported Dentures
For the most comprehensive restorative benefits, dentists often recommend an implant-supported denture to replace missing teeth. You can receive a dental implant to replace one, several, or an entire arch of missing teeth if needed. This is a fixed type of denture, meaning you cannot remove it from the mouth.
You can feel more confident with this device because it will not slip out of place at an inopportune moment. It also uses anchors placed into the jaw to create long-lasting support for the prosthetic teeth. It can stay in the mouth for twenty years or longer with proper care.
You will require little to no maintenance with a dental implant. And the anchors will replace the missing tooth roots, preserving the jawbone. Removable dentures replace teeth only above the gumline and cannot offer this advantage. Consult with your dentist to learn if you qualify for implant dentistry solutions.