Missing teeth can be challenging in your everyday life. Whether you are trying to enjoy your favorite snack, speak to your loved ones, or smile confidently for the camera, having gaps in your smile can cause difficulties. Fortunately, you don’t need to settle for tooth loss. Dr. Zachary Brice can replace your missing teeth without breaking the bank thanks to dentures in San Antonio. To learn more about your options or to schedule your initial consultation, give us a call!
Dentures are recommended for patients who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. Depending on the number of teeth you are missing and their locations in the mouth, a customized plan can be created just for you to restore the appearance and function of your smile. However, if you have any existing dental issues, like tooth decay or periodontal disease, you will need to have them treated before you can move forward in the process of getting dentures. The health of your smile is our number one priority!
There are a few different types of dentures out there to cater to your individual needs. During your initial consultation, we’ll determine which of the following is right for you:
For people who have suffered from tooth loss but still have some healthy teeth a partial denture may be the solution for you. This type of denture has an acrylic or metal base and is designed to fit like a puzzle piece between your existing teeth to fill in gaps. Small, discreet clasps wrap around your natural tooth structure to hold your new replacement teeth in place.
Full dentures are designed to restore an entire arch of teeth. They are held into place by the shape and suction of your gums. Just like partials, full dentures are made from a gum-colored acrylic base that holds natural-looking ceramic teeth in place.
For patients who are missing teeth but are looking for a sturdier, longer-lasting tooth replacement option, dental implant dentures might be the answer. These dentures are held into place with titanium, screw-like implants that are surgically placed into the jawbone. They allow for additional chewing power and prevent bone loss over time.
You can expect to experience numerous benefits when you choose dentures as a tooth replacement option. Here are just a handful of them:
Some patients need to have severely damaged teeth extracted before they can go on to invest in a prosthetic like dentures. If this is the case for you, you can expect to wait between six to eight weeks on average before being able to wear your new replacement teeth. However, keep in mind that every situation is different and it’s important to give your gums a chance to completely heal so your dentures fit properly and more damage isn’t caused.
It’s not recommended that you sleep with your dentures, although when you first get them, your denture dentist in San Antonio may recommend keeping them in your mouth for that first 24 hours. After that, it’s important to take them out at night when you go to bed to improve circulation in your mouth and give your gums a break.
As you wear dentures throughout the day, they restrict blood flow, which can lead to soft tissue irritation and even speed up ridge resorption. When you take them out, you’re allowing your gums to get the nutrients they need without being compressed. In addition, sleeping with dentures has been found to be associated with higher risk for pneumonia and poor oral hygiene.
Whenever you take your dentures out of your mouth before bed, be sure to store them in a room temperature glass of water or special denture soaking solution so they keep their fit.
The most common reason for dentures to begin smelling is because bacteria can become trapped between the gums and base or crevices of the prosthetic itself. Denture wearers tend to produce less saliva, which can leave debris within the mouth to linger and attract harmful bacteria. Not only can this lead to bad breath, but it can also cause gum disease and oral sores. By taking the time to brush your dentures and clean your gums, as well as disinfecting your prosthetic every night, you can maintain a healthy mouth and get rid of any lingering smell from your denture.
Over time, you may notice your dentures begin to fit differently. This is caused by jawbone deterioration due to the fact that roots of teeth are no longer providing necessary blood flow to the area. As a result, your body redirects that blood flow to other places. When this happens, your facial shape can change, along with the fit of your prosthetic. Fortunately, your dentist is able to reline them to make them more effective and keep them from irritating the games. However, if it’s been over 7 years since receiving them, you may be due for a replacement.
If you have implant dentures, you won’t have to worry about this happening because the implant posts act as replacements for the roots of your teeth. This prevents jawbone deterioration and facial structure changes, and increases the lifespan of your prosthetic by decades.