A perfect smile never fails to attract attention. Each time we see a person with a great smile and perfect set of teeth he or she always evokes a good impression. Having good oral health allows you to enjoy life to the hilt. Unfortunately, decay and cavities that lead to tooth extraction and missing teeth can’t be avoided entirely. However, there’s no need for you to despair as there are dentures and implants to restore your confidence and perfect smile.
What are Dentures?
Dentures are removable replacement teeth, also called false teeth. The design is made of either a plastic or metal plate and prosthetic teeth are attached to it. The size, shape, and color of the prosthetic teeth resemble your existing natural teeth.
Types of Dentures
These are the three types of dentures that help replace missing teeth:
- Partial Dentures
These are removable dentures that are used when there are remaining natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw. This type of dentures is attached to a gum-colored plastic base and with a metal framework that holds it in place. Aside from replacing missing teeth, partial dentures also keep other teeth from shifting positions.
- Complete Dentures
This type of dentures consists of a complete set, both on the upper and lower part and it’s best recommended for people who don’t have any natural teeth left. It has two kinds, conventional and immediate. Conventional dentures are made after teeth are removed and when gum tissue is already healed while immediate dentures are positioned as soon as teeth are removed. The immediate kind is usually used only as a temporary solution as it requires many adjustments to fit properly.
- Fixed Dentures
This type of tooth replacement is surgically fixed in your mouth and includes implants and bridges. A fixed bridge is an artificial tooth cemented alongside the remaining natural teeth while an implant functions like an artificial tooth and surgically placed into the jawbone.
Benefits of Dentures
Dentures are a popular choice because it offers many advantages. These include:
- Restores tooth function.
Dentures allow you to chew, bite your food and speak properly again since it functions just like natural teeth.
- Improves speech.
One of the struggles, when you have missing teeth, is the difficulty in pronouncing certain words and making the right sounds. With dentures, you can enunciate words more clearly and your manner of speaking becomes normal again.
- Improves facial appearance.
Missing teeth results in a sagging face and make you look older way beyond your years. Dentures significantly uplift your face and you’ll look significantly younger as well.
- No dietary restrictions.
With no teeth to bite or chew your food on is definitely depressing and you’re sure to miss out on your favorite recipes. Dentures solve this problem as it functions just like natural teeth and allows you to eat and enjoy your favorite food without restrictions.
- It is durable.
Dentures can last from five to 10 years with proper care and maintenance. It’s basically long-lasting and durable.
- Restores confidence.
If you have missing teeth it has a great effect on your self-esteem. With dentures, your appearance will improve and it will also boost your confidence.
What is a tooth implant?
Tooth or dental implants are Titanium metal posts which are positioned in the jawbone and with which replacement teeth can be mounted. The implants fuse with the jawbone and provide strong support for replacement teeth like dentures and bridges.
Types of Tooth Implants
These are the types of tooth implants which are recommended safe to use by the American Dental Association:
- Endosteal implant
This type of implant is implanted directly into your jawbone and the most commonly used type by dentists. It requires a second surgery to connect a post to the original implant once the surrounding tissue has already healed. On the second surgery, the artificial or replacement tooth is attached to the post.
- Subperiosteal implant
This implant is positioned under the gums, on or above your jawbone. This is the type that’s most recommended for patients who doesn’t have enough healthy jawbone and unwilling to undergo a bone augmentation surgery.
Benefits of Tooth Implants
Just like dentures, there are many advantages with tooth implants. These are just some of them:
- It lasts for a lifetime.
Tooth implants are durable and could last for a lifetime with proper care.
- You’ll have improved oral health.
It improves your oral health as more of your natural teeth are left intact and not altered to support the implants.
- You can enjoy your food more.
Tooth implants function like your own natural teeth and allow you to enjoy your favorite food without restriction.
- Provides more comfort.
Since it’s placed permanently you’ll feel comfortable as compared to wearing removable dentures that tend to slip and fall from your mouth.
- Improves your appearance and speech.
A tooth implant allows you to speak normally again and also improves your overall facial appearance.