Dentures at Tri City Dental Care Kennewick WA

  • Post author:
  • Post category:blog

Dentures are artificial gums and teeth that are made by your dentist specifically for the measurements of your mouth. These are used to replace natural teeth that have been removed or lost. Dentures may be partial or full. What this means is that they may replace a few teeth that are missing, or they may replace all of the teeth that are on the top or on the bottom gum line. Whatever type you may need, your dentures will be designed to match your existing teeth as well as fit your mouth perfectly.

Contrary to popular belief, dentures are not only for the elderly. Other people such as contact sports enthusiasts may need dentures as well if they have an injury to their teeth. People who have been through accidents may also lose some teeth. Some people may even have certain genetic traits that result in having weaker teeth.

For others, dentures may serve a more cosmetic purpose. Dentures can actually improve your smile if you have missing teeth. They can also help to support the structure of your mouth by backing up your facial structure around your lips and your cheeks.

If you are among any of these people, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist about the options you have when it comes to having dentures.

Partial Dentures

When your surrounding teeth have been assessed as not being strong enough to provide support, partial dentures are used rather than other types of tooth replacement methods. This can also be an option if you are missing more than one or two teeth.

With partial dentures, they are fitted to the portion of the gum line where they will sit on. They will then be fastened to your natural teeth so as to keep them in place. Partial dentures are not fastened permanently. They can be taken out for cleaning or for when you will be sleeping.

Full Dentures

Full dentures are also known as complete dentures and replace all of your natural teeth. They may be fit for the bottom or top gum line. Full dentures are kept in place through suction or with the aid of an oral adhesive. But similar to partial dentures, they can also be removed easily.

Immediate Dentures and Overdentures

There are other types of partial and full dentures that can be a bit different from traditional permanent dentures. One of these are called immediate dentures. Immediate dentures are created prior to the removal of the teeth. They are immediately used after the teeth have been extracted, and throughout the healing process. They can usually last for about six months.

Immediate dentures are easily refitted, unlike permanent dentures. This is to accommodate the changes in your mouth during the healing process such as gum swelling. Once the healing period is over, the immediate dentures can be disposed of. At this point, your mouth will be ready for permanent dentures.

For clients who find traditional dentures to be uncomfortable, overdentures can be an alternative to that. To use it, overdentures are fitted to rest on the roots of your natural teeth. If there are no natural teeth, they can be fitted with dental implants. Most people find that the overdentures are much more comfortable, and they can also be easily removed.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are dentures that are being anchored with the use of dental implants, which are permanent fixtures. They are secured to your jawbone and may be used to replace several teeth. Implant-supported dentures are composed of the implant, a metal post that is usually made of titanium, and a custom-made crown that matches the rest of your natural teeth.

There are different ways in how implant-supported dentures can be attached. As for care and maintenance, they are just the same as traditional dentures. Clients most commonly seek out to have implant-supported dentures on their lower jaw because the upper jaw has fewer challenges in terms of having them securely fit. Some people have them on both upper and lower jaws as well.

These are some of the kinds of dentures available in most dental clinics. If you are still not sure about the type that you should have, feel free to ask us on your next visit.

CALL TRI-CITY DENTAL CARE SERVING KENNEWICK, PASCO, AND RICHLAND TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT AT 509.579.0759