Dentures provide prosthetic teeth replacements for patients who have lost some or all of their teeth. They are an affordable option for getting back your beautiful smile if multiple teeth become loose or fall out due to reasons such as bone loss, periodontal disease, or other causes.
Effects of Tooth Loss
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, dentures help prevent problems that arise from losing teeth.
Without support from teeth and the structure they provide, facial muscles also begin to weaken, many times causing facial malformation. The patient’s face appears older than it is and sunken under the nose. Malnutrition is a concern as well for patients with tooth loss, as it becomes harder and harder to chew foods necessary to maintain a healthy diet.
Dentures and other restorative advanced dental care give patients a good-looking smile as well as help protect against these and other complications from tooth loss. Give yourself a smile you’ll love with dentures from Meridian Dental!
Receiving Your Dentures
Before receiving your set of dentures, the entire mouth will be examined and any additional necessary teeth extracted. For full recovery and healing after these extractions or after implant surgery, temporary dentures can be given to use until permanent dentures are created.
Your custom dentures are then designed to fit over and around the remaining teeth. During your next appointment, we’ll create a mold for your custom dentures that will be sent into a laboratory where dental technicians will construct and sculpt your dentures. You will also need to visit your dentist regularly after wearing your dentures to make any adjustments. With the right custom fit, dentures stay securely in place by a suctioning effect or added attachments.
It might take some time to adjust to this new arrangement, but before too long normal functionality and appearance are restored. Implants can also be used to stabilize dentures (more information below).
Types of Removable Dentures
Dentures are constructed in a dental lab out of plastic resin that resembles gums and white prosthetic teeth. While there are various types of dentures, all serve the same function: to replace lost teeth. Visit our local Wasilla dentist at Meridian Dental to talk more about options for dentures and which set of dentures will be best for you.
- Partial Dentures
Partial dentures may be recommended if you have only lost a few teeth or had a couple teeth removed. They replace missing teeth and attach onto remaining teeth to keep them securely in place. Partial dentures can easily detach when needed, such as to brush and clean your remaining teeth. Sometimes partial dentures may shift, rubbing against and wearing down bone structure or the natural teeth they attach to, loosening teeth somewhat.
- Full Dentures
Full Dentures are an affordable option for teeth replacement for patients who have lost all their teeth. While you do need to get used to eating and speaking with them, full dentures look and feel more like natural teeth. However, due to the dentures’ pressure on the bone structure of your jaw, they lead to bone loss overtime. It’s also easy for full dentures to be removed, which can be a good thing when you want to remove them, but inconvenient when you don’t.
- Overdentures
Overdentures are like full or partial dentals, only they are placed over dental implants or remaining natural teeth, providing more stability. At least four dental implants or natural teeth will be needed to secure full upper overdentures and at least two implants or teeth to support lower overdentures. These dentures don’t place so much pressure on bones, causing less bone loss.
Caring for Dentures
As mentioned before, patients will need to come into our dental office for denture realignments. Your jaw bone will gradually change, but these regular appointments will adjust your dentures to these changes for a better fit.
When you first receive your set of dentures, it will take time to feel comfortable with new chewing patterns. Your dentures may make your mouth feel full or make speaking challenging in the beginning. Be patient and speak slowly when enunciating. Start by eating smaller and softer foods before you take on difficult-to-chew foods. If you are still experiencing discomfort or shifting dentures, contact us to make adjustments.
Visit Meridian Dental for Dentures in Wasilla, AK!
Come to our dental office in Wasilla, AK to be fitted for your custom, removable dentures. Relax in the comfort of our new office and get the care you need from our friendly cosmetic and general dentist. Call us for dentures and restorative dental care that you won’t be able to stop smiling about!
