What Are Dentures And How Are They Beneficial?

What Are Dentures And How Are They Beneficial?

A full set of teeth is so important to a person’s self-esteem as well as their oral and overall health. Having a full set of teeth allows a person to smile, talk with confidence, chew different kinds of foods, and eat things that help maintain a healthy diet. When a person loses several teeth or all their teeth they can find eating certain foods to be extremely challenging. They also may find themselves smiling less because of their lack of teeth. Many issues can result from missing teeth. Some of these include: 

* Difficulty chewing
* Speech issues
* Facial sagging
* Continued bone loss
* Loss of confidence

Fortunately, people don’t have to live with missing teeth or the problems that follow. With advancements in dentistry, a person can have their smile restored through the use of prosthetic teeth called dentures. Dentures are artificial teeth and gums that are made to look natural when placed in a person’s mouth. Dentures are removable and can either be full or partial. Full dentures replace all of a person’s teeth on either the upper arch, lower arch, or both. A partial denture replaces only a few missing teeth. Partial dentures are a wonderful choice for people who are missing a few teeth because they snap into place with the use of clasps that attach to the remaining teeth. The artificial teeth used in the partial dentures are supported by a metal or plastic frame that fits tightly to the roof of the mouth or the lower arch.

Dentures are made of a hard resin material. This helps them hold up to the constant pressure they take on when someone chews. Although the resin is very strong it is still not as durable as natural teeth. If dropped, dentures can break and they do chip or wear down over time. Dentures can be a lifesaver for someone who is dealing with missing teeth. However, they do require some getting used to and can cause other issues.

Nothing works as well as one’s natural teeth. This is why when a person has dentures placed, they need to understand that it may take some time to adjust to them. Although dentures are made to fit tightly in a person’s mouth they can still slip and move a lot when a person talks or chews. Also, some foods can become lodged under the dentures and cause discomfort.

Something a person may experience speech problems when they first wear the dentures. Speaking can sometimes be difficult because a foreign object is now in the person’s mouth. A person needs to practice speaking with the dentures to become comfortable and eventually used to speaking with them in their mouth.

One way to help secure dentures in place is to try using a denture adhesive. Denture adhesive is a paste or powder that is placed in the denture that helps them stay in place. Denture adhesives work by filling the gaps that form between the dentures and the gums. These gaps happen when bone loss occurs over time. Dentures can also be secured with the use of a dental implant. Dental implants can be placed if the person has adequate bone. When placed, the new denture snaps onto the implants keeping the denture firmly in place.

If you or someone you know is dealing with the effects of missing teeth contact Gray Oak Family Dental today. Our Sherman Texas office helps patients every day regain their beautiful smiles. Our professional team works diligently tons a smile they are proud to show off. Contact our office today for an appointment or to learn more about the many services we provide.