Losing multiple teeth, whether from gum disease, decay, or an injury, can have a profound impact on nearly every aspect of your life. It can affect your ability to eat your favorite foods, to speak with clarity, and can cause you to feel a deep sense of self-consciousness about your smile. For generations, dentures have been a reliable solution for replacing missing teeth. However, the dentures available today are a world away from the bulky, artificial-looking “false teeth” of the past. Modern dentures are crafted with advanced materials and a keen artistic eye, providing a comfortable, natural-looking, and highly functional solution to restore your smile, your confidence, and your quality of life.
Understanding the Different Types of Dentures
There are several different types of dentures available, and the right one for you depends on your specific needs and how many teeth you are missing.
- Full Dentures (or Complete Dentures): A full denture is a removable prosthetic used when all of the teeth in an entire arch (either the upper or lower jaw) are missing. A conventional full denture is meticulously crafted after all the teeth have been removed and the gum tissues have had several weeks to heal. It consists of a full set of beautiful, natural-looking prosthetic teeth set in a flesh-colored acrylic base that is custom-molded to fit perfectly and comfortably over your gums.
- Partial Dentures: A partial denture is a removable option used when you still have some of your healthy, natural teeth remaining. It consists of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored base, which is often supported by a metal or flexible framework that clasps onto your existing natural teeth for stability. A partial denture not only fills in the gaps in your smile but also plays a crucial role in preventing your remaining natural teeth from shifting out of position.
- Immediate Dentures: These dentures are fabricated in advance and are placed in your mouth on the same day that your remaining teeth are extracted. The great advantage is that you do not have to go a single day without teeth during the healing period. However, as your gums and bone heal and naturally shrink after the extractions, these dentures will need to be professionally relined several times to maintain a good, comfortable fit.
The Modern Denture Advantage: A Natural Look and Enhanced Comfort
Modern denture technology has made incredible leaps forward in both aesthetics and function.
- Superior Aesthetics: The prosthetic teeth used today are crafted from multiple layers of high-quality acrylic or porcelain, which allows them to mimic the natural translucency, color variations, and luster of real tooth enamel. They can be custom-designed in a wide variety of shapes and shades to create a smile that looks incredibly natural and is perfectly suited to your unique facial features.
- Precision Fit and Comfort: Using highly accurate impression techniques, a modern denture is custom-fabricated to fit the unique contours of your mouth. This ensures a secure, comfortable fit that relies on suction to stay in place, often reducing or even eliminating the need for messy adhesives.
As the American Dental Association (ADA), a leading authority on oral health, explains, adjusting to new dentures takes time, but modern prosthetics can dramatically improve a person’s ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
The Ultimate in Stability: Implant-Supported Dentures
For the ultimate in stability and function, modern dentistry offers implant-supported dentures. In this state-of-the-art solution, several dental implants (small titanium posts) are surgically placed into the jawbone. The denture is then fabricated with special attachments on the underside that “snap” securely onto these implants. An implant-supported denture is incredibly stable. It will not slip, rock, or come loose while you are eating or speaking, allowing you to eat a much wider variety of foods with complete confidence.
Your Temecula and Riverside Dentures Experts
Losing your teeth does not mean you have to lose your smile. Modern dentures can provide a beautiful and functional solution that can restore your confidence and your ability to enjoy life to the fullest. For patients in the Temecula and Riverside, CA areas, the team at Dr. Parul Mehta and Associates offers a range of compassionate and expert solutions for tooth replacement, including modern, custom-fabricated dentures and partials. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
