When teeth are lost or removed, it can drastically impact a person's life. Many people who lose teeth have trouble chewing and speaking, affecting their quality of life. Furthermore, missing teeth can lead to other health issues, such as jawbone deterioration and gum disease. One way to address teeth loss is to have dentures to replace them.
A denture is a removable tooth replacement prosthetic that restores your smile’s appearance, allowing you to eat and speak normally again. In some cases, dentures are a remedy for severe gum disease. When gums become unhealthy and recede, they leave teeth susceptible to decay and damage. At Sun-Park Dental, most of the dentures we provide are composed of resin, plastic, porcelain, and metal and are made to look like your natural teeth. Dentures are custom-made in a laboratory to closely match each patient’s size facial structure.
Types of Dentures
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are used when all natural teeth are missing in the upper or lower arch. They consist of a flesh-colored acrylic base that fits over the gums. The base supports a full set of artificial teeth, which are custom-made to match natural teeth's shape, size, and color. Complete dentures rely on suction or denture adhesive to stay in place.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth are still in the mouth. They consist of a metal or acrylic framework that attaches to the remaining natural teeth. Artificial teeth are mounted onto the framework to fill in the gaps created by missing teeth. Partial dentures are removable and help restore chewing function, maintain tooth alignment, and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.
The Benefits of Dentures
You will be able to eat the foods you love. The last thing you want to do is give up your favorite foods because of tooth loss. With dentures, you can enjoy a variety of soft and hard foods again. Remember that you still need to practice good oral hygiene by cleaning your dentures regularly after eating. This will prevent plaque buildup and other complications such as gum disease.
You will look your best and feel your best. Having missing teeth can affect the way you look and the way you think about yourself. When you have a full smile, which can be achieved with a set of full dentures, you can look in the mirror and not feel self-conscious or embarrassed of your smile anymore. You will also feel more confident about talking and eating in public.
You can speak more clearly. When there are gaps in your smile, it can impact the way you talk. You may need help with speaking clearly, and you may slur your words at times. But once you have your full set of teeth back, you will have an easier time speaking again. Your speech will improve dramatically and no longer sound like you have a lisp.
If you struggle with missing teeth and want more information about how dentures can help you, visit a dentist Rocklin, CA at Sun-Park Dental at 5400 Park Dr. Suite 100, Rocklin, CA 95765, or call (916) 435-1155.