The Versatility & Effectiveness of Dentures
If the appearance and function of your smile are being negatively impacted by missing teeth, dentures can be a cost effective way to revitalize your confidence and your ability to speak, chew and smile naturally.
While many people picture full dentures when thinking about this common tooth replacement, dentures are also available to replace a single tooth or a few in a row.
Dentures from McMillan Dentistry are available in multiple styles to meet the oral health needs of patients across the Fredericton area.
Types of Dentures
The type of dentures your dentist recommends will depend on the number of teeth being replaced, as well as your overall oral health, lifestyle, and budget.
-
Full Dentures
If all of your teeth are missing, our dentist can fit you with dentures that consist of a full set of replacement teeth. These full dentures help restore your chewing function, improve speech, and create a more natural, aesthetically pleasing smile.
Full dentures are custom made to rest snugly on top of the gums, supported by the jaw bone. While many dentures stay secure from suction alone, others use denture adhesive or dental implants to hold them securely in place.
-
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures work the same way as full dentures but they are made to fit in between the natural teeth, and thus, fill in any gaps in your smile. Some partial dentures are permanently secured to dental implants, but many people simply choose models that rest on the gums and can be removed for cleaning or when sleeping.
Dentures are created after taking impressions in order to custom fit the mouth and gaps created by missing teeth. Many patients opt for them because they are an easier and more affordable alternative to dental implants, particularly when there are many teeth missing.
-
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are dentures that are secured in place with dental implants rather than relying on suction or denture adhesive to hold them in place. Small titanium screws (implants) are surgically placed in the jawbone, where they act like artificial tooth roots and provide a very stable anchor for the denture.
The implant-supported denture process takes considerably longer than getting traditional dentures since it is necessary to allow the area to heal and the implant to integrate with the surrounding bone. This healing period is important because it provides the implant with the strength it needs to firmly hold the denture in place.
Once the healing process is complete, the custom-made denture can be connected using special attachments, helping improve stability and reduce movement while eating or speaking.
Why Dentures May Be Used
If you lose several or all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much.
Filling in a gap caused by missing teeth is also crucial to your long-term oral health. By fitting you for dentures, your dentist will also help protect your remaining teeth from shifting, which can contribute to more serious issues like gum disease. Dentures can also help make it easier to eat properly and speak well.