Sunday, October 10, 2010

Your Denture Options Explained

You’d be surprised at the horrified expressions that dentists around the globe are faced with when the word ‘dentures’ are mentioned. There’s an immediate assumption that life is ruined, that this horrible alien device is going to be inserted into your mouth that will change your whole lifestyle. No dentist would ever deny that it does take time to get used to dentures, but they certainly do not need to be dreaded.

Most individuals that need dentures don’t really understand their options and that’s where a lot of the fear comes from. The stereotypical image of a glass of water beside the bed with a complete set of teeth, top and bottom, is a long way from the truth of the different options that are open to you at the start of your denture journey.

Partial and complete dentures

You might have heard your dentist mention these terms so let’s discuss what they actually are and will mean to you.

You’ll be happy to hear that if you’re only missing a couple of teeth your dentist isn’t going to knock the rest out so that every tooth can be inserted onto your dentures. Partial dentures are specially designed to only replace those teeth that are actually missing and can come in the form of either a removable or a fixed plate.

On the other hand, if you are missing all of your teeth on the top or bottom of your mouth then a complete denture will be the more appropriate course of action. In this instance your denture will boast an impressive array of every tooth.

The four types of denture

The type of denture that will be used to cover the gap in your teeth or to replace the whole lot will depend on your situation. There are four main types of denture available to the majority of patients which I have detailed below for your information.

The standard denture is best suited for those that have actually lost their teeth. These dentures have been the most commonly used ones for the last few years and are held in place on the roof of your mouth by suction.

The immediate denture is actually a temporary denture to cover the embarrassment of having gaps in your teeth while a longer term solution is created. They will be given to you straight after having your old and unhealthy tooth taken out.

The Cu-Sil denture relies on your other still healthy teeth because it is adhered to them with the use of silicone rubber. This often results in a more stable solution but is not a very good choice for those with no original teeth remaining.

The dental implant is a newer technology that actually replaces a tooth with a synthetic equivalent by attaching its titanium base to the jawbone of the patient. Often those with dental implants claim that they feel exactly the same as the original teeth making them the most successful, but most expensive, solution.

Why not make an appointment with your dentist today to discuss the best option for you personally? They will be the best people to advise you as to which type of denture you require.

No comments:

Post a Comment