Is It Time for Dentures or Partial Dentures

Date: 16th July 2024

You wouldn’t be alone if you said you weren’t happy with your smile. Many individuals don’t feel comfortable with their smiles for various reasons. Your lack of confidence in your smile could be due to years of wear and tear on your teeth, or perhaps from some teeth that had to be removed, or maybe you have some old fillings that constantly need to be replaced. Whatever the reason is for how your teeth got to this point, you can still have the smile you have always wanted. It’s time you considered dentures or partials!

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Why Do I Need Dentures or Partials?

There are several reasons why a dental patient might consider dentures over other dental treatment options. Dentures are ideal for individuals who have experienced significant tooth loss or are facing multiple dental issues. Tooth loss can be the result of trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, sporting injuries, or years of untreated dental problems.

Partial dentures are an excellent solution for patients with missing teeth but also have some healthy natural teeth. A partial will replace the missing teeth while being supported by the existing teeth. Both Partials and Dentures have similar advantages and disadvantages:

Some Advantages to Consider with Dentures and Partials:

They Restore Function:

Dentures and partials restore a patient’s ability to chew and speak, which becomes compromised with tooth loss.

They Aid in Improved Appearance:

Dentures and partials not only help improve the overall appearance of a person’s smile, but they can also support facial muscles, contributing to a more youthful appearance and preventing a sunken look to their face.

They Help Give a Confidence Boost:

A smile can say a lot about a person, and when a person avoids smiling because of their teeth, it reflects their overall confidence. Replacing existing teeth needing repair with the natural-looking alternatives found in dentures and partials and improving their smile and overall oral health can significantly boost a person’s confidence, allowing them to interact with others more comfortably.

They Aid in Dental and Overall Wellness:

Because teeth and the oral cavity are the first anatomical features of the digestive system, their role is vital to our bodies receiving the nutrients needed from proper digestion. Dentures and partials effectively replace missing teeth, contributing to better oral health and function and preventing further dental issues associated with tooth loss.

Some Disadvantages Associated with Dentures and Partials:

Expect Growing Pains:

If you have never worn dentures or partials before, adjusting to the fit and feel of the appliance in your mouth will take some time. Initially, there may be some discomfort until the dentist adjusts the appliance to fit your anatomy perfectly

Remember to Clean Your Teeth!

While you may have fewer or any teeth to clean, staying on top of your oral hygiene is still essential. Your daily oral hygiene regimen should include brushing or cleansing any remaining teeth or oral anatomy you have, including your tongue, palate, and gums. Additionally, your dentures and partials will need to be cleaned daily.

The Fit is Not Forever:

It will take time and adjustments for the fit of your denture to feel just right, but the anatomy in your mouth will change over time, causing your denture to become loose.

Have no fear; this is normal, though frustrating. Your caring dentist at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center has solutions to adjust the fit of your dentures when they become loose—this is called a reline. A reline is a quick and straightforward option to extend the stability of your denture for some time. However, you will likely need a denture replacement at some point to ensure the fit and function are acceptable.

Expect An Adjustment Period:

Not all patients take to their dentures immediately. It is normal for some to slowly recover from simple things like speech, chewing, and even tasting foods. Be patient with yourself and your new appliance; your mouth and you will adjust over time.

What Is Involved With Creating My New Denture or Partial?

At Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center, our skilled dentist will evaluate your needs by obtaining diagnostic records. Radiographs, intra-oral and extra-oral images, and impressions of your teeth and jaws are taken to show how you bite. The dentist will assess what kind of appliance will be best for you and present the findings in a consultation. Cost, financial obligation, and payments plans are also discussed during this appointment.

Your next appointment would involve removal of any existing teeth if you are having a denture placed. Some time to heal from the extractions will be necessary before the fabrication process goes any further. If you plan on having a partial created, the dentist may need to adapt some of your existing teeth for the new appliance.

Once the extraction sites have been healed, your next appointment involves taking a final impression of your oral cavity. Impressions will include any existing teeth you have if you plan to have a partial created, or it may consist of only the bony ridges of the upper and lower jaws.

A bite registration, which shows how your upper and lower jaws close together, will also be obtained. The bite registration and impression records will be sent to a dental lab, and fabricating your new appliance will begin!

The lab and dentist will work with you to fabricate your new appliance to your exact specifications. Getting your new denture or partial just right may take a few appointments. The appointments will be short, but you must speak with the dentist about your new smile and what you hope to see when you finally receive your appliance.

The final appointment is to deliver your new appliance! The dentist will adjust the partial or denture to ensure it fits comfortably. You will also be given specific instructions on caring for your appliance and what to expect when you go home with it.

Taking Care of Your New Partial or Denture:

Follow up with the dentist:

One of the most important steps in having success with your new appliance is following up with your dentist when any problems arise. Adjusting to a new denture or partial takes time and several adjustments.

Home Care:

Once you receive your appliance, one of our staff members will give you instructions on how to care for it. Some highlights would be to make sure you take the appliance out of your mouth when you go to bed and place it in a container with water overnight. Denture cleaners can also be found at the supermarket, which help clean the appliance. Our office will supply you with a denture brush, making it easy to clean your appliance daily.

After the denture is removed, the oral tissues underlying it should be cleaned. Oral swabs or a super-soft toothbrush are good for removing any residue in the mouth, keeping it feeling fresh and clean.

Use of adhesives:

Adhesives are not always necessary to use with your denture, but there may be times when the appliance will not feel as secure as you would like. Adhesives can help you feel more confident with your denture in place. When applying your adhesive, ensure your appliance is as dry as possible. Use a small amount until you find what will work for your needs.

If you must apply more adhesive than you would prefer, it may be time to see your dentist for a reline.

Annual dental visit:

Be sure to visit your dental home at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center at least once a year. Your dental office is one of the few medical providers that offers an oral cancer screening. Oral cancer is one of the most preventable but one of the most overlooked diseases. Additionally, your denture can be cleaned and adjusted.

Conclusion:

Obtaining a denture or partial can be a long road of appointments or adjustments, but most of our patients have a successful outcome with few issues. If you feel less than confident about your smile, it’s time to change that. It may be time for a denture or partial! Call Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center for an appointment today!

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We encourage you to contact us with any questions or comments you may have.