Missing teeth don’t just affect your smile — they make it more difficult to eat and speak comfortably, and can affect your confidence. Dentures are one of the most effective ways of replacing missing teeth, but are they right for you?
What are dentures?
Dentures are sets of false teeth that replace lost or damaged natural teeth, helping to restore abilities such as chewing and biting, while also preserving facial structure. We use a variety of different materials to make dentures, primarily acrylic resin or other flexible plastics. Custom-made to fit comfortably in the mouth, dentures help to restore a complete and functional smile.
Types of dentures
Dentures come in a variety of forms, with a common distinction being whether they are full or partial. Full dentures replace an entire arch of teeth, either in the upper or lower jaw, while partial dentures replace only some teeth in an arch. Partial dentures rely on the remaining teeth for support and are typically less expensive.
Dentures also vary according to their removability. Most dentures are completely removable, which helps patients to properly clean them and ensures comfort while sleeping. However, some patients prefer receiving fixed dentures, which permanently attach to implants in the mouth, making them more stable, though the surgical placement of implants makes it a more expensive treatment.
Signs you need dentures
The clearest sign that you need dentures is when you’re missing several or all of your teeth in your upper or lower jaw. It’s really important to replace missing teeth, and dentures are one of the most effective methods when you’re missing quite a few. On top of that, there are a number of issues that may contribute to dental decay, leading to the need for false teeth. Signs to look out for include:
- Difficulty chewing or speaking clearly
- Shifting teeth
- Advanced tooth decay or gum disease
- Recurrent toothaches
All of these symptoms indicate that your teeth are in need of some attention. Come in for a visit and we can help you with these issues, and advise the best way forward, whether that includes dentures or other treatment.
Benefits of dentures
While our preference is always to preserve natural teeth for as long as possible, if you’ve reached a stage where that isn’t a feasible choice, there are several benefits to getting dentures, including:
- Restoring function: By adding teeth back into the mouth, dentures can help you speak and eat without any issues.
- Facial appearance: Losing teeth can lead to bone deterioration in your jaw, which in turn can change how your face looks. Dentures fill things out again.
- Non-surgical options: Unless you opt for implant-retained dentures, we can prepare most false teeth without the need for any surgical intervention.
- Affordability: Because they typically don’t require surgery, dentures are also often a cheaper tooth replacement option than dental implants.
Who can get dentures?
Dentures are often thought of as a treatment specifically for older adults, but they are an excellent option for anyone missing multiple teeth or an entire arch. While this is more common at older ages, it can occur at any time through adulthood. However, a good denture candidate will also have reasonable gum and bone health to help ensure that the dentures fit comfortably in the mouth. You may require some treatment beforehand to ensure your oral health is sufficient to support the false teeth.
When are dentures not recommended?
Unfortunately, dentures aren’t always an appropriate solution. In particular, we avoid providing dentures to patients with poor oral hygiene or signs of disease, as well as those with severe jawbone deterioration, which makes it harder for dentures to stay in place. It is important to treat any oral health issues before having implants fitted and placed.
Are there alternatives to dentures?
There are different solutions for missing teeth if you want to look beyond dentures. The most common are dental implants: small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone, which support a dental crown. Other implant treatments can also support an entire arch of teeth with as few as four implant posts. Implants are more stable than dentures, and also help to preserve bone density in the jaw, but they are a more expensive option and require surgery and a healing period.
The other common option is a dental bridge, which uses existing healthy teeth that are adjacent to a gap to support false teeth filling the space. Dental bridges are also fixed in place like implants but don’t require surgery, making them more affordable. However, they do require at least some healthy teeth to be present in the jaw, and may not be as effective for significant restorations where a lot of teeth are missing.
Come and chat to our team to find out more about each option and the best course for you.
Fitting a confident smile
By replacing missing teeth, getting dentures can give you back function and self-assurance, helping you live well and without discomfort. Book an appointment or get in touch to learn more about dentures and how we can help you smile.
