Losing many teeth doesn’t only affect your smile but also your chewing function, bite, and overall confidence. Thankfully, there are several restorations available for replacing missing teeth, but one that has been around for the longest time is dentures. Dentures are used to replace lost teeth and surrounding gums and can be categorized into two segments – partial and complete. Complete dentures are used when a patient is missing all of their teeth, while partial dentures are used to replace a few lost teeth. If you are seeing your cosmetic dentist in Torrance for dentures, you can get a comprehensive overview of whether this is the ideal choice for you. In this post, we are sharing more details about dentures.
Table of Contents
Benefits of dentures
Dentures are affordable and accessible, and almost all dental clinics offer the option. There is little wait time for getting dentures, and most patients just need two appointments. Immediately after one or more natural teeth are removed, your dentist can start planning the restoration work. Dentures are also easy to care for, making it an ideal choice for adults and young alike. The option is also preferred for durability, and with adequate care, your dentures can last for many years. Not to forget, the prosthetic teeth resemble your natural teeth closely, and unless the dentures slip, it is hard to notice that you are wearing them.
On the flip side
Traditional dentures are flimsy and don’t offer the required comfort. Many patients complain that their prosthetic teeth move around in their mouth, adding to discomfort and embarrassment. Much like other restorations, dentures are not permanent and have to be replaced.
What are the alternatives?
If you don’t want traditional dentures, your dentist can probably suggest implant-supported dentures. In case you are missing all of your natural teeth, they can even offer all-on-4 dentures. Dental implants work like replacement tooth roots and are placed in the jawbone. The procedure requires surgery, and one must wait at least four to six months before getting implant-supported dentures. However, these dentures, unlike the conventional ones, don’t move and offer much better comfort while eating and talking. You can also consider implant-supported crowns and dental bridges if some of your natural teeth remain. With implant-supported dentures, you don’t have to worry about losing bone mass, which is one of the major concerns with extracting teeth.
How are dentures made?
Your dentist will check whether you can benefit from implant-supported dentures or need traditional ones. A lot also depends on your budget because implant surgery can be expensive. For regular dentures, they will take measurements and bite impressions to create models or casts, which are then sent to a lab to order custom ones. It can take two to six weeks for your permanent dentures to return, and the dentist will check for adjustments before sharing care instructions.
How does it feel to wear dentures?
It can take a while to get used to dentures, but with time, you will be more comfortable with the process of inserting and removing them. You may experience some minor irritation or soreness in the initial days, along with increased saliva flow, but none of these are big concerns and will resolve with time.
Final takeaway
There is no denying that dentures are popular and durable, but there are also other better ways to get replacement teeth, such as implant-supported dentures. Talk to your dentist in Torrance to learn more about the treatment plan, costs, and concerns, and they can guide you on what is most likely to work for you. Whether considering traditional or implant-supported dentures, get an estimate in advance.
