Dentures – Fort Worth, TX
Restore Your Grin with New Teeth
If you’ve lost any of your teeth, you know firsthand that it’s challenging. Not only do you suffer from an unsightly smile, but you also face various health problems. As such, tooth loss can drastically lower your quality of life. That said, there is a solution for this problem: dentures in Milwaukee! With help from Milwaukee Dental Implants, such restorations could (and would) return your full grin. To learn more about them and their features, just keep reading or book a visit with our office.
Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Dentures are ideal for people who have experienced significant tooth loss. Depending on how many teeth you are missing and where they are located in your mouth, we can put together a customized treatment plan just for you! The majority of adults make good candidates for dentures. Read on to learn more about the effects of missing teeth and the qualifications you must meet to get them.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Many different factors can lead to tooth loss. The most common include tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, missing teeth have several consequences, like facial sagging, difficulty speaking, trouble eating, and low self-esteem. The good news is that dentures are about to positively impact all of these areas, therefore improving the quality of your life.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Most adults can get dentures without much of a problem. They are great for those who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. However, denture-wearers must maintain healthy gum tissue and have sufficient jawbone. When you are missing teeth for a long time, the jawbone starts to deteriorate, resulting in bone loss. If you currently have dental issues, like gum disease or tooth decay, these will need to be eliminated before you can start wearing dentures.
The number of teeth you are missing ultimately determines which type of denture is ideal for you. One of the benefits of dentures is the fact that they are more affordable than other tooth replacement options, like dental implants. This makes them ideal for those who are unable to invest much money into their smile at this time.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If you aren’t a good candidate for dentures, or they aren’t something that you are interested in, you may want to consider other tooth replacement options that we offer.
- Dental Bridges: A dental bridge “bridges” the gap in your smile. This method works for patients who are only missing one or a few consecutive teeth. A dental bridge requires that the patient has healthy adjacent teeth surrounding the empty space to support it.
- Dental Implants: A dental implant is a titanium, screw-like post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Patients must have a solid bone structure and be able to undergo a minor surgical procedure. Dental implants have a higher upfront cost, but they last for many decades or even the rest of your life!
Types of Dentures
When you consult with Dr. Franzen, he’ll get a chance to learn your smile goals, medical history, oral health, and more. From there, he can recommend custom dentures that best meet your needs. More specifically, he’ll suggest one of three possible types. They are the following:
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures only replace a few pearly whites. As such, they work by clasping onto the chompers on either side of your smile gap.
Partials usually have a gum-colored acrylic base and artificial acrylic (or porcelain) teeth. However, sometimes they include metal components as well.
Full Dentures
Per their name, full dentures “fully” replace all the teeth along an arch. Consequently, they secure themselves through natural suction instead of clasps.
In general, full dentures use the same materials as partial ones. A unique difference, though, is that their bases are custom-fitted to fit comfortably over the gums.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are a permanent type that relies on dental implants. For that reason, they’re a great alternative for patients who want a more permanent, unwavering option.
Due to using dental implants, these dentures have special perks. Firstly, they don’t slip or fall. Another advantage is that they can prevent jawbone loss.
The Benefits of Dentures
Missing several or all of your teeth can take a toll on both your oral health and your self-esteem. By replacing them with incredibly lifelike dentures, you can be sure to enjoy many of your everyday oral habits again, such as eating, talking, and smiling. Over time, your prosthetics will feel as though you’ve regained your complete grin. Dentures come with a wide variety of benefits, and here are some of the most prominent ones you can expect after your treatment.
Psychological Benefits
Those who suffer from tooth loss often experience both oral and psychological downsides. Having one or multiple gaps in your smile can make you feel uncomfortable showing your grin, and you might steer clear of most social interactions or activities to avoid embarrassment. With a full smile from dentures, you won’t feel as anxious around friends or family. The result is greater self-confidence and body image, as well as a reduction in anxieties about speech, chewing, appearance, and more.
Clearer Enunciation
It can be incredibly difficult to pronounce certain words or sounds without some of your teeth present. This is because humans typically press their tongues and lips against their pearly whites to enunciate clearly and effectively. By wearing custom-made dentures, you can end up regaining your ability to speak clearly, improving your communication. This usually involves an adjustment period, but it’s only temporary and can be much smoother with time and practice.
Improves Nutrition
Some foods, while nutritious, can be tougher to bite into, such as certain fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Being unable to properly chew your meals can lead to complications like indigestion and malnutrition. By providing new teeth, dentures improve your ability to chew food. They thus allow you to eat a more nutritious, wider-ranging diet, which can end up helping to promote better oral and overall health.
Preserves Oral Health
Those who still have some of their natural pearly whites remaining can greatly benefit from wearing dentures. These prosthetics can help keep existing teeth from moving out of position, as this is normal after tooth loss. Additionally, dentures help distribute the pressure of chewing more evenly throughout your bite, effectively reducing the wear and tear of your tooth enamel.
Expands Opportunities
Most people will first notice your smile above all other things. This makes your teeth incredibly important when making impressions, either during a first date or a job interview. By getting dentures, you can not only complete your grin but also feel confident about the way you look, which can translate into the way you carry yourself. Others may then perceive your confidence as outgoing and attractive, which can boost your chances of success in your social and professional life!
