In our last blog, we looked at how dental bridges can address minor cases of tooth loss. But what if you have lost most, or even all, of your natural teeth? To restore function and beauty, we could offer dentures. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX, dentist talks about our full and partial dentures.
The Impact of Advanced Tooth Loss
What happens when we suffer from advanced tooth loss? For some, this could be due to tooth decay, infection, or in most cases, the advanced stage of gum disease known as periodontitis. When you lose teeth, the remaining ones can drift from position to impact the alignment of your smile and increase the risk of issues like tooth decay and gum disease. The pressure on your jaw joints could leave you vulnerable to TMJ disorder. You could be limited in your meal options and nutritional intake, and may find speaking clearly is difficult. You could also simply feel embarrassed about your appearance, and as the body stops sending doses of calcium and phosphorus to the jaw, you could suffer from further tooth loss and an aged appearance. But we can help with dentures!
Fulls and Partials
A full denture replaces every tooth on one or both arches. The denture consists of new teeth placed in an acrylic base that looks like gum tissues. The teeth are made from ceramic so they look natural and can take on daily bite forces and pressures. A partial handles more complicated cases of tooth loss, in which you’re missing too many teeth for bridges or individual dental implants, but not enough to warrant extracting your teeth and placing a full. With this option, there will be metal clasps that attach to natural teeth and secure your nurture in place, which contain new teeth designed to fit in the gaps in your smile.
Removable and Implant Options
With the removable options, we use adhesives, suction, and clasps to attach them. These prosthetics need to be removed for cleaning and soaking, and last about 5 to 10 years on average, as the changes in jaw ridge shape necessitate replacement. But! With dental implants, we can insert new posts that act like roots and preserve your jawbone and jaw ridge, so when we attach your prosthetic, you have new teeth that can last for decades to come, possibly a lifetime. We can help you choose the right option for your smile. If you have any questions about our full and partial dentures, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Need a Dental Prosthetic
Our team wants to help you enjoy a full smile even if you have lost all of your natural teeth. To schedule an appointment, call Healthy Smiles in Houston, TX, at (281) 974-4494.
