Losing your natural teeth can be a difficult physical and emotional experience. From the way you eat to how you feel smiling around your friends, tooth loss affects each part of your day. But with advancements in modern dentistry, there are several options available to help reconstruct your smile to improve your confidence and overall oral function.
Dentures are one of the most popular and affordable options for people who have multiple missing teeth or need to restore their entire smile. At Altrock Fabb Dental in San Diego, our goal is to provide our patients with the best possible care, and that includes helping them understand the different types of dentures available and how each one can improve their smile.
What are Dentures, and Why Should You Consider Getting Them?
Dentures are removable prosthetic devices that are used to replace all of your missing teeth with a single appliance. They are usually made of acrylic resin or a combination of acrylic resin and metal and are designed to look and function like natural teeth. In some cases, the entire denture is crafted from acrylic or a similar material. Dentures can be used to replace a few missing teeth or a full arch of teeth, depending on your situation.
There are several reasons why you may want to consider getting dentures. The most obvious is that they can help you improve your smile and boost your self-confidence. Dentures can also help you with eating and speaking, which is especially important if you have missing teeth. Best of all, San Diego dentures tend to be one of the most affordable and fastest options when you want to replace missing teeth.
What Kind of Dentures Are Available?
When it comes to selecting the best type of dentures, there are several options available to choose from. The denture design that is right for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Here are some of the most common dentures we offer at our San Diego dental practice:
Traditional Dentures: Traditional dentures—sometimes called “plates”— are the most common type of denture prosthesis. They are designed to replace a full arch of missing teeth and are held in place by suction or a dental adhesive.
Partial Dentures: Partial dentures are used to replace one or more missing teeth throughout your arch (upper or lower jaw.) They are designed to fit around the remaining natural teeth and are held in place by metal clasps or other types of precision attachments. This allows you to retain your other teeth while quickly restoring the ones that are missing.
Implant-Supported Overdentures: Implant-retained or “snap-on” overdentures are a more secure solution for people who are missing all of their teeth and have concerns about the fit of their prosthesis. Overdentures are held in place by 2-4 dental implants, allowing the denture to snap on and off as needed. This type of denture provides a more secure fit and can help preserve the jawbone, making it useful for someone with a thinning jaw or inadequate bone support.
Permanent All-on-4 Dentures: All-on-4 or All-on-6 “dentures” are a type of implant treatment that only requires 4-6 dental implants to secure a full arch restoration. The hybrid appliance replaces all of the upper or lower teeth at one time and is non-removable, unlike traditional dentures.
What Do I Need to Know About My Denture Care?
Caring for your dentures is important in order to keep your mouth healthy and to ensure that your prosthesis lasts as long as possible. Here are a few tips for proper denture care:
- Remove your dentures at night and clean them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth. (“All on” restorations do not need to be removed.)
- Brush your dentures with a soft-bristled brush and mild soap to remove any plaque or food particles.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaning products, as they can scratch the surface of your dentures.
- Store your dentures in an approved solution away from small children and pets when you’re not wearing them.
- Regularly visit our San Diego dentist for check-ups and adjustments to ensure a proper fit and healthy mouth.
What Makes Your Favorite Dentist Stand Out?
At Altrock Fabb Dental, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest level of care and service. Our team of highly trained providers is committed to restoring both your smile and your self confidence. Call our office in San Diego today to reserve an appointment.
