Dentures Solutions

Early Warning Signs

It is important to stay alert to oral health; early detection can lead to better management of your teeth. Although dentures is not a complex procedure, knowing when to have these can relieve you from loss of confidence.

Here are a few early signs that you may have to consult dentists for dentures.

• Missing teeth
• Severe pain or toothache
• Swollen/red gums
• Loose teeth
• Difficulty when chewing or biting

Dentures Decision: Which Type Should You Choose?

Depending on the condition of your teeth, a number of different types of dentures are available. However, the decision about which would suit you the best will be decided by oral hygienist after reviewing your current past history.

Here are the main types of dentures.

• Complete Dentures: These are also known as full dentures as they replace all the teeth in your mouth. Further, these are hard, often acrylic, plates with false teeth attached to them. You can easily remove them when required for cleanliness. Professional dentists will fix them over the gums on the upper jaw.

• Partial Dentures: These could be removable and fixed, depending on the requirement. As the name suggests, these are designed to replace a limited number of teeth.

• Immediate Dentures: The type of dentures used to stopgap while your mouth heals from tooth extraction. It helps to control bleeding and swelling and can be re-fitted and relined with softer than harder materials for long-term wear.

• Snap-in Dentures: This type is popularly used for teeth implants posts in the jaw. Since these are easy to carry, thus making them ideal to maintain bone health. Further, these do not cover the palate, thus supporting better speech and taste.

• Overdentures: Commonly known as implant-supported dentures do not replace existing teeth; rather provide support and stability. Further, you can use these over existing natural teeth or fit over dental implants.

Dentures Candidacy

Although denture does not require detailed inspection and procedure is straightforward. Yet, you should meet certain criteria in order to qualify for the procedure.

A proper candidate for dentures would be a patient with the following conditions:

• Significant tooth loss
• Good overall dental health
• Willing to adopt to wearing permanent artificial teeth
• Desires a cost-effective tooth replacement
• Has healthy gums and surrounding tissues

Who should avoid Dentures?

Dentures are not suited for every individual with tooth loss or decay. There are individuals who should not proceed with dentures as they lack proper support to manage them.

Thus, the following individuals do not qualify to have dentures, and should look for alternatives. 

• Young people with growing jaws.
• Individuals with severe gag reflexes.
• Those with unrealistic expectations.
• People who cannot commit to proper denture care.
• Individuals with certain medical conditions (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes)

Alternatives to Dentures

While dentures are one of the best solutions to tooth loss, there are alternatives that many individuals adopt. Since, not every individual can opt for dentures, thus forcing them to look for other solutions.

Here are two main alternatives.

• Implants

Dentures vs implants is a common debate as these are close competitors. Implants are the most common alternative to dentures. Implants stimulate the nerves in your jaw copying natural tooth phenomenon. However, implants are expensive when compared to dentures. Likewise, they can last for a lifetime with proper care.

• Dental Bridges

Bridges perform the same task but are ideal for individuals who have only one to three teeth missing in a row. It consists of crowns and are attached to your natural teeth with the help of bonds.