About Full and Partial Dentures

When you're missing a tooth or multiple teeth, there are many different options that you can turn to to achieve the smile that you have always wanted. When you meet with experts in restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, these options can be covered in great detail.

One especially well-known option for major tooth loss is the use of full and partial dentures. You've likely heard about dentures before, but we'd like to take a closer look at full and partial dentures and how they can be helpful to patients dealing with multiple missing teeth.

Cosmetic Problems Associated with Missing Teeth

There are obvious aesthetic issues to consider. Major tooth gaps will leave a smile looking unsavory, and they may make you feel self-conscious about laughing, smiling, or even speaking around people you've known for years. In addition, major tooth loss can affect the appearance of the face, leaving the lips and cheek area looking sunken in or hollow.

Health Issues Associated with Missing Teeth

The health and functionality issues are more serious with major tooth loss. Biting and chewing can be very difficult, limiting the kinds of foods you can eat. Speech impediments aren't uncommon as a result of tooth loss as well. Your remaining teeth may begin to shift position due to loss of balance/support along the dental arch. Both bone loss and gum recession will likely occur due to the lack of tooth roots to support.

How Partial Dentures Can Be Helpful

For people who are missing multiple teeth in a row, partial dentures help fill in those large gaps, restoring the ability to bite, chew, and smile with total assurance.

How Full Dentures Can Be Helpful

If a patient has lost the majority of teeth from his or her dental arch, a full denture is the best option. As with partial dentures, full dentures help address aesthetic problems associated with extensive tooth loss while also restoring overall functionality to a patient's mouth.

Dental Implants as a Support for Dentures

While dentures are generally sturdy and can be held in place with added security through the use of denture creams, one of the best options for holding dentures in place is the use of dental implants. These artificial tooth roots are surgically embedded into a patient's jawbone and gum tissue. Dental implants are able to prevent problems with bone loss and gum recession since they provide structures for those tissues to support.

Good Candidates for Implant-Supported Dentures

The best candidates for implant-supported dentures are people who have healthy bone and gum tissue in place and are in relatively good health. These patients should be able to undergo oral surgery without serious potential for complications and need to have realistic expectations about the months-long treatment process.

Alternatives to Dentures

Sometimes patients will be missing multiple teeth but a partial denture or full denture is not an ideal option. In those cases, a dental bridge may be more ideal. These matters can be discussed in greater detail during your visit to the practice.

Learn More About Dentures

If you would like more information about dentures and your many other options for addressing the problems associated with missing teeth, be sure to contact our Memphis, TN dental care experts today. The entire team here is eager to meet you in person and help you achieve the best possible dental health.

Tagged In: Dentures, Missing Teeth, Restorative Dentistry, Dental Implants