Tooth replacement treatment from your dentist helps you regain the look, function, and structure of your smile after losing one or more teeth. The type of appliance you receive to replace missing teeth will vary depending on your unique dental scenario and your preferences.
When choosing a tooth replacement solution, its ability to remain in your mouth when in use is a major factor. An oral appliance can utilize several methods of security to keep a firm position in the mouth. Read on to learn about three types of dentures and how each of them can stay securely in your smile.
Partial Dentures Framework
If you are missing several teeth, whether consecutively or spread in different spots of the mouth, your dentist can give you a single appliance to replace these teeth. Partial dentures will use a combination of crowns and bridges arranged in a single appliance to rebuild your smile with as many prosthetic teeth as you need.
The prosthetics attach to an acrylic base with a metal framework that sits against the remaining natural teeth in your mouth. They use a combination of support from these teeth and natural suction to stay in place. This way, you can smile with confidence, knowing the appliance will not slip when in use.
Removable Full Dentures Use Natural Suction
If you need to replace an entire arch of teeth, you will not have remaining teeth to act as support for your dentures. Removable dentures can still fit securely in the mouth as the base is designed for natural suction.
The custom-made dentures will sit in place in the mouth and suction over the gums. You can also use special adhesive pastes to help the device remain even more strongly.
Your dentist can give you recommendations for which types of adhesives will work best. With this type of tooth replacement, you can improve your oral function as well as the look of your smile. Yet you do not have to compromise your personal comfort. You can remove the dentures when not needed to give your mouth a break.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Though some patients prefer removable dentures, your dentist can also give you implant-supported dentures like All-on-Fours. This treatment uses titanium post anchors that a dentist surgically places into the patient’s jaw.
Once healed, the dentist attaches the dentures to the anchors at the gumline. Because the anchors fuse to the jawbone, they provide longer-lasting and stronger support than removable dentures. They have the additional benefit of replacing tooth roots below the gumline, preserving jawbone health.
Patients will like that this type of implant can require less routine maintenance while remaining more secure in the mouth as well. Fixed dentures like this cannot be removed unless by a dentist.
Dentures will need replacements after five years or so. But implants can last for twenty or more years with proper care. Ask your dentist about your eligibility for this type of tooth replacement treatment.