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Dentures are prosthetic teeth that replace missing teeth or broken teeth. People of all ages and with various needs use permanent and temporary dentures.
You may need dentures for a variety of reasons, such as if you’ve had an oral injury that knocked out your teeth or if you have trouble eating foods due to especially weak teeth. You may also need dentures from neglecting your dental care, which could result in tooth decay, periodontal disease (advanced gum disease), and other oral diseases.
Whatever the reason, dentures fit into your mouth and are supported by the surrounding gum tissue. They can give you a new, beautiful smile and boost your confidence.
Most dentures are removable, but there are various types of dentures to choose from. Different dentures may be better-suited for your lifestyle. A general dentist or prosthodontist can talk through your options and get you a set of dentures quickly.
The different types of dentures available include the following:
All dentures can be partial or complete. Complete dentures are, of course, best for people who are missing all of their teeth or who have many damaged and weak teeth that need to be removed. Partial dentures work well for others who are only missing a few teeth or those who have just a couple of broken or weak teeth. Partial dentures are also less expensive.
Many people will opt for a removable partial or full denture as a stepping stone to an implant retained denture. Implant retained dentures are more costly. However, they are a great permanent solution for those with missing teeth.
You have the choice of removable dentures and permanent dentures. With removable dentures, there are many benefits:
You may choose permanent dentures over removable dentures for other reasons, including the following:
The most affordable dentures are removable, economy dentures. They are affordable because they are a one-size-fits-all solution. These dentures are also not as comfortable as dentures that are customized to fit your mouth. They may make talking and eating difficult and/or cause discomfort, at least until you get used to them.
Maybe traditional dentures aren’t for you. Overdentures, also known as implants, are a choice solution for many people. The advantages of dental implants are plentiful. They include the following:
But dental implants require surgery, so dentures are a better option if you do not want to (or cannot) undergo surgery. Similarly, smokers should opt for dentures over implants because smoking can make it hard for the gums to heal and cause implants to fail.
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Because implants require oral surgery that may or may not be covered by your dental insurance, they can be very expensive. They tend to be a lot more expensive than traditional dentures.
Talk to your dentist to discuss your options and determine the best treatment for your needs and lifestyle.
Your dentist should be able to walk you through all of your denture options, as well as implant options. From there, you can make an educated decision.
Call 1800Dentist to find a dentist near you: 866-387-3513
“8 Signs You Might Need Dentures.” Tioga Dental & Orthodontics, 28 May 2019, www.tiogadental.com/blog/8signs-need-dentures/.
“Dentures Dentist: Solutions.” Bright Side Dental, 28 Aug. 2020, brightsidedental.com/smile-solutions/complete/dentures/.
“Dentures.” Dentures - O'Brien Dentistry | University Place WA, www.obriendentistry.com/dentures.
“Economy Denture Packages.” The Smile Company | Economy Denture Packages Maryland Heights MO, www.smilecodental.com/economy-dentures.php.
“Fixed vs. Removable Dentures.” Dentist Grants Pass, OR - Dental Education Library, www.drhuddleston.com/library/8032/Fixedvs.RemovableDentures.html.
“Overdenture Implants.” Southpointe Dental: Lincoln's Dentists, dentalsouthpointe.com/overdenture-implants/.