Dentures & Partials An Overview
Missing teeth can have a detrimental effect on both dental health and daily quality of life. Replacing lost teeth as quickly as possible is important to avoid developing more complex problems that may limit tooth replacement choices.
Atlanta area dentist Dr. Brenda Paulen offers several options for replacing missing teeth, including dentures and partial dentures.
Cosmetic Dentures Sandy Springs
Often called cosmetic dentures, today’s dentures offer a more natural-looking smile and a more comfortable fit. Materials and treatment planning technology improvements enable restorative dentists like Dr. Paulen to help patients with missing teeth regain their smiles with esthetically pleasing and stable dentures.
Dr. Paulen can replace a poorly fitting denture with a cosmetic denture that can give you a comfortable and functional smile and restore your quality of life. Signs you may need to replace a denture can include:
- Slipping denture
- Denture appears worn or damaged- teeth may not show when smiling
- Necessary diet changes to accommodate chewing problems
- Changes in clarity of speech
Dentures & Partials What to Expect
Dr. Paulen offers several types of dentures and will help you select the best one based on your needs, goals, and budget. The dentures we offer in our Sandy Springs, GA dental office are cosmetic because they are highly aesthetic and look and feel just like natural teeth.
Dr. Paulen’s dentures are designed to fit stably and comfortably in your mouth. There are two types of dentures: Full Dentures and Partial Dentures.
Full dentures replace all of a person’s upper or lower teeth.
A partial denture replaces several missing teeth, similar to a dental bridge. A denture can either be removable or fixed. Dental implants anchor fixed dentures and are often called implant dentures.
Traditional Vs. Implant Dentures
Traditional dentures are probably what you think of when you imagine dentures. They’re made of a metal and resin base supporting a full arch of false teeth. Suction is what keeps them in your mouth. Usually, you’ll need some denture adhesive to ensure they stay in properly. They can’t be worn all of the time, either. You must take them out at night so your gums get a break.
Implant dentures are a permanent fixture inside your mouth. They attach to dental implant posts placed in your jawbone. Implant dentures are ideal because you never have to take them out. They don’t rely on adhesive or anything else to stay in your mouth.
Traditional dentures are cheaper upfront than implant dentures. You can also get your final restoration quicker because there’s no surgical component. However, you’re likely to incur more expenses in the future. Because they don’t stimulate the jawbone, that bone continues to deteriorate over time. You’ll need to get your dentures relined or replaced to fit properly in your mouth. Otherwise, they won’t be very useful.
While implant dentures are more expensive upfront, you don’t have these additional costs. Dental implants stimulate jawbone regeneration and stop the bone from deteriorating. You won’t need to replace your dentures. This also means that you get unmatched stability. Traditional dentures only give back 30-40% of your tooth function. Implant dentures give you back virtually 100%. You don’t have to eliminate anything from your diet or worry about them slipping or falling out.
Taking Care of Dentures
Traditional and implant dentures have different care routines, too. For traditional dentures, you have to take them out to clean them properly. Brush them like you would natural teeth, but don’t use toothpaste. There are specific denture cleaners to use to avoid damaging the restoration. Toothpaste is too abrasive, and household cleaners can be too harsh on the material. Ensure you remove all of the adhesives when you clean them. Adhesive buildup can interfere with the accuracy of your dentures’ fit.
Leave your dentures out when you’re sleeping at night. During this time, soak them in an appropriate denture cleanser. Dentures require moisture when not in your mouth, or they can break or become brittle. Your dentures are a delicate restoration, and it’s essential that you handle them with care. They need to be in a soak any time you aren’t wearing them. After you clean and soak them, rinse them off thoroughly before you put them in your mouth. Tasting any residue left over from the cleaning chemicals is unpleasant.
Implant dentures are a little easier to take care of. There’s no adhesive to worry about; you don’t have to take them out of your mouth. Just brush and floss them as you would your normal teeth. Your dentist will recommend some implant denture-approved toothpaste so that you don’t damage them. Your dentist may also recommend calcium supplements to keep your jawbone healthy.
With both kinds of dentures, you have to visit our office regularly. We monitor your dentures and ensure they’re up to code and cared for properly. If we notice the fit changing, we’ll recommend a reline or replacement of your denture. We want to ensure you have a healthy restoration for years.
