Your Guide to Dentures

Whether you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, dentures are a popular alternative to dental bridges or dental implants to take the place of missing teeth. Dentures near Westlake are removable false teeth that are used in place of missing teeth. There are two types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing and partial dentures are just used for however many teeth are missing. To become more familiar with dentures to help you decide if dentures may be right for you, continue reading.

What Are Dentures?

Complete dentures are custom-designed to fit in each individual mouth. While they are completely removable, an adhesive or bonding agent is often used to hold the dentures in place. Partial dentures are removable teeth that consist of a plastic base and metal framework that hold together the denture in place with existing teeth.

Why Are Dentures Used?

Dentures are used to replace teeth that have been extracted or have fallen out. Dentures are used to prevent changes to the jaw once teeth are gone. Without all the teeth in place, remaining teeth can shift, and the bone in the jaw can create a sinking in effect, changing the overall shape of the face. Dentures are used when a dental bridge or dental implant is not the right fit for an individual’s dental need.

How Are Dentures Cared For?

Since dentures can be removed, they are cared for differently than natural teeth or bridges, dental crowns, or dental implants. Dentures are generally not worn 24 hours a day. When they are taken out they are cleaned. Since they can be removed, you can more easily see everywhere they need to be cleaned and no spots will go unnoticed.

How Will I Adjust to Dentures?

Just like most things, each person will have a different experience with dentures. Eating and speaking will take some getting used to, but as you become more comfortable with wearing dentures, your speech will get back to normal and you will adjust to eating with dentures.