Problems Caused By Missing Teeth

Dentures are seen as customizable and removable replacements designed to look like natural teeth. It is no surprise that our teeth support the structure of our smile. Missing teeth can affect your smile to an extent and can also affect the way you speak and chew food.

If you are missing teeth, partial or full dentures may be recommended by your dentist.

Full Vs. Partial Dentures

Dentures are custom-made in a laboratory from impressions taken of the patient’s mouth. Depending on the amount of teeth the patient has lost will determine what type of denture is most suitable for the patient. For a patient missing most or all of their teeth along the dental arch, full dentures may be the right solution. However, if the patient is missing only a few teeth, then a partial denture may be the ideal solution.

The base of a full set of dentures consists of a flesh-colored plastic or acrylic that rests on the gums and is perfectly molded to fit comfortably in the patients mouth. The upper set covers the palate or roof of the mouth. There is a thin layer of saliva between the denture and the gums that form a seal to help anchor the denture, which is why a dry mouth can cause dentures to become loose. Because there has to be sufficient space for the tongue, the lower set is horseshoe-shaped and stays in place by the muscles in the cheek and the tongue.

A partial denture is a plate that has one or more prosthetic teeth. However, if a patient has sufficient and strong natural teeth, a dental bridge can be an alternate solution. Bridges connect the gap between two teeth. We can anchor a false tooth to crowns on either side of the gap. However, if the natural teeth are not in strong enough or in ideal condition, we can attach prosthetic tooth to an implant in the jaw itself. While it is certainly true that dentures take some time to get used to and will never feel the same as your natural teeth, the dentures made today look far more natural-looking and are much more comfortable than those made a decade ago.

Please note that the information provided above is for general purpose only. One must seek expert clinical advise from a trained practitioner prior to making any conclusions. Each patient and case is different and relying on a generalized information may be inadequate. Please consult your dentist or call our office for an appointment if you have any questions or concerns.

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