If you are unfortunate enough to have missing teeth, you should consider replacement as quickly as possible. When left untreated, full or partial tooth loss can affect a person’s self-image and increase the risk of developing nutritional problems and other systemic health disorders.
Fortunately, Dr. Benjamin Stevens offers a variety of tooth replacement options to replace missing teeth, including full and partial dentures, in his Indianapolis dentist office. They provide an affordable solution to missing teeth, which can make chewing and speaking less difficult.
With modern dentistry, we are able to design dentures that look like your natural teeth and fit comfortably and securely in your mouth.
What are Dentures?
Dentures are custom-made artificial teeth that replace missing teeth and some gum tissue. They are made in a dental lab with impressions of your mouth for a custom fit. There are complete dentures for when all your teeth are missing and partial for when there are only a few natural teeth remaining.
They are not permanent, meaning you remove your artificial teeth and put them back in daily for care and maintenance. It takes some time for you to adjust to wearing dentures because they’re bulky. Dentures may feel uncomfortable because they cover a large portion of your mouth, depending on the type you need.
Often, they may slip around or not fit correctly, leaving you with the worry of falling out.
How to Care for Dentures
A denture will require a lot of care. For most types, you will need to apply a gooey adhesive every time you wear them to hold them in your mouth. There are several types of denture adhesives on the market, so you will have to find the one that works for you by trial and error.
It’s important to handle them with extreme care because they can possibly break if dropped. You can never let them dry out, so soak them overnight in water (avoid hot water, which can distort them). Maintaining a clean denture will involve brushing them at least once a day.
Never put the denture cleaner you use in your mouth, so thoroughly rinse them after each cleaning or soak. You will also need to replace, realign, or rebase them over time.
Types of Dentures
Full Dentures are for patients missing an entire arch of teeth. They are typically a plastic base colored to blend in with the gums. This base stays in place by forming a seal with your gums.
Partial Dentures are either made with a plastic base or metal framework that will support the number of teeth missing. These stay in place with clasps and rests that will form around the remaining teeth.
Implanted-supported Dentures are the superior option for patients missing teeth and their oral health. Dr. Stevens offers full services for the dental implant procedure in the comfort of his Indianapolis dentist office. Implant dentures permanently attach to the jaw using as few as four dental implants.
Dentures secured by dental implants eliminate the need for glues, adhesives, soaks, or rinses and restore normal chewing function. No more worrying about them slipping around in your mouth or fearing that they will fall out. Implants also help to prevent bone loss in your jawbone.
Schedule a Dental Exam & Consultation
If you are missing teeth and interested in getting dentures in the Indianapolis, IN, and Greenwood, IN area, schedule an appointment with Dr. Stevens. He will discuss your cosmetic goals and budget concerns to determine which kind is right for you.