Dentures
Why Dentures are a Great Option for Tooth Replacement
You use your teeth for more than merely chewing your food. They’re also an integral part of your first impression with others. While maintaining a healthy set of teeth through regular brushing, flossing, and dental care is the ideal, there are times when this doesn’t work out.
Sometimes, tooth decay takes over, and you need a permanent solution to replace your missing teeth. One such option is dentures, and Delaney Park Dental is one of the leading providers of dentures in Anchorage, AK. Our experienced dental provider in Anchorage makes some of the most immaculate dentures you will find. Read on to learn more about how dentures can help you maintain the form and function of natural teeth.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are a dental solution for patients who suffer from moderate to severe tooth loss for any number of reasons. While there are many procedural options available for patients with missing teeth, dentures are best suited for those patients who are missing more than just a tooth or two. Dentures have become more and more popular among the elderly over the last few decades as they are prone to losing a lot of their teeth naturally over time.
Why Get Dentures?
People get dentures for all sorts of reasons, from cosmetic to health-related. You will find some of the most common causes that lead people to get dentures:
- Restore that winning smile.
- Generally more affordable than other tooth replacement options.
- They are a long-lasting solution to widespread tooth loss.
- Supports the jawline preventing structural deformities.
Types of Dentures and How They Work
At Delaney Park Dental, we’ll determine what type of dentures are the best solution for your needs after a thorough examination. But knowing about the different options that you might have is always favorable, so here’s our rundown of the two types of dentures suitable for most patients: removable and fixed.
Removable Dentures
The working principle of removable dentures is quite easy to understand. At first, we apply a glue-like plastic resin on the bone ridge where the teeth used to be naturally. Once it is applied, the artificial teeth are appropriately attached to the resin and positioned for maximum comfort and functionality. The suctioning effect of dentures appropriately fitted against on the bone ridge lets the false teeth stay in place. The main advantage of removable dentures is that they can be detached for further dental procedures if required.
Naturally, like any other medical procedure, it will probably take a couple of days for you to acclimate yourself with your new dentures when it comes to day-to-day activities like talking and eating. This acclimation happens because the resin requires some time to fit in properly like a glove in your mouth. But once it fits, it’s often as good as natural.
Removable dentures come in two varieties: full dentures and partial dentures. Full dentures replace a complete row of teeth (top, bottom, or both), while partial dentures are meant to replace just a portion of your missing teeth, leaving healthy originals in place.
There are various types of removable dentures such as immediate dentures, conventional dentures, and implant-supported overdentures, all of which fall under the full dentures subdivision. Partial dentures also have multiple options available as well, with transitional partial dentures and removable partial dentures being the most popular choices.
Fixed Dentures
A fixed denture is a non-removable option as its name suggests. Unlike removable dentures, the main point of fixed dentures is attaching the false tooth to the jawbone in a more permanent fashion. This procedure leaves no trace of anything unnatural in external appearance compared to removable dentures which may be visibly discernable when you open your mouth.
For the bonding process, we use titanium anchors as titanium is the only known metal in medical science that we can embed into organic tissue without causing any contamination or side effects. At first, anesthetic is used to numb the area of the jaw where we place the anchors. Since it’s a delicate process due to caution needed to avoid damage to nerve endings in the surrounding area, the surgical procedure can take a bit of time, anywhere from on to six hours.
Post Surgery Care
In both types of denture procedures, it can take anywhere between a couple of hours to days to feel comfortable with the new additions to your jaws. You should take a lot of factors into account, with some patients opting for partial dentures before moving in for full dentures.
Generally, inflammation and discomfort near the implanted area are typical for the first couple of days for which the dentist may prescribe medicine. The easiest and quickest fix is to move the jaw as little as possible and not cause any undue pressure until the implanted area feels natural.
How to Know When You Need Dentures in Anchorage, AK
If you suffer from tooth loss or other dental problems, you may be wondering if dentures from Delaney Park Dental are the right solution for you. We encourage you to make a no-pressure exam for a complete assessment from Dr. Miles, here are a couple of ways to know that you may benefit from dentures:
- You’re suffering from dental problems all year round. Common symptoms include swollen and bleeding gums.
- The spacing between your teeth is more substantial than other people’s.
- You are missing a large number of teeth.
- Some of your teeth feel loose.
- Your teeth are excessively sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
Don’t Put Off Restoring Your Smile for Another Minute
If these symptoms check out and you think you’re ready to get your dentures for a more long-lasting solution for chronic dental problems, don’t hesitate to contact Delaney Park Dental at 907-276-7787. We are prepared to hear your concerns, analyze your oral health, and find the best solution for you.
Regain your smile, preserve your jaw health, and find a permanent solution to your missing teeth. Learn if dentures are right for you today.
