Dentures Rancho Bernardo

Effects of Missing Teeth

As you look into denture treatment, it’s best to review tooth loss’ causes and effects. Doing so will help you grasp what dentures can do for your smile.

The possible causes of tooth loss are many and wide-ranging. For example, one of your teeth could fall out due to severe decay (i.e., a tooth infection). Similarly, you may lose a tooth due to gum disease that erodes tissues supporting it. People can also have accidents or injuries that knock teeth right out of the mouth.

In contrast to its causes, tooth loss’ effects are limited but severe. A rather notable one is how lacking teeth can make everyday tasks – smiling, eating, speaking, etc. – harder. The condition also leads to smile gaps, which slowly erode your jawbone when they go unchecked. Those same gaps can also tilt your remaining teeth until they fall out.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Almost any adult with tooth loss can qualify for a denture treatment. In fact, the restorations in question don’t have many big requirements to meet. You should note certain key facts, though.

The first detail is that your oral health affects whether (and how) dentures work. When the gums and jaw are too weak, they can’t support these new teeth. You wouldn’t benefit from getting dentures in that case. Still, minor issues are different. Dentures can easily replace your sensitive or decayed teeth.

Furthermore, track how many teeth you need to replace; that number will impact which of the two dentures we suggest to you. The first is a partial denture that only replaces a few teeth at most. Meanwhile, the second kind is a full one that replaces all teeth along an arch.

Of course, finances are also relevant to whether dentures suit you. These prosthetics happen to be the least costly tooth replacement option. Therefore, they work well for patients who need an inexpensive choice.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Even if you don’t qualify for dentures, there’s no need to worry. Our office has two other restorative treatments that can bring back your whole grin. You’d just need to consider the following:

• Dental Bridges – Each dental bridge is a fixed restoration, usually made of two crowns fused to a pontic (i.e., an artificial tooth). The device secures itself to nearby teeth (i.e., abutments) to stay in place, filling large smile gaps while remaining steady. However, placing it requires that we remove some enamel from your abutments.
• Dental Implants – Dental implants are small titanium posts that act as tooth roots. Once placed, they slowly fuse with your jawbone to become permanent parts of your mouth. Following this fusion process, they’re capped with final restorations that let them blend seamlessly with your grin. That said, you should know that dental implants are pricey; their unique benefits tend to raise their cost.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

Partial Dentures

As the name implies, partial dentures are used when some healthy natural teeth remain along the gum line. This removable option securely attaches via metal brackets connected to existing teeth. Not only do they restore both the natural appearance and functionality of the smile, but they also prevent adjacent teeth from shifting out of place to fill the gap.

Full Dentures

Patients with complete tooth loss in either the upper or lower jaw may benefit from a full denture. While the prosthetic maintains stability with natural suction, a denture adhesive can be used for further reinforcement when needed.

Implant Dentures

Patients who are suitable candidates for dental implants should seriously consider this choice. Implant dentures offer unparalleled stability, as prosthetic tooth roots are surgically embedded beneath the gum line, integrating with the jaw over a period of 4 to 6 months. This sturdy foundation effectively eliminates denture slippage, restoring your confidence in eating, speaking, and smiling.