Dr. Bridges and our compassionate team at Chisholm Trail Smile Center want you to have a strong and healthy smile. We may recommend dentures if you are missing several or more teeth, but the type we recommend will depend on other factors like:

• How many teeth you’re missing
• Your overall physical and oral health
• Tooth sensitivity
• Jawbone health

Choosing the right type of dentures for you is an important step, and we want you to have all of the information you need to feel confident in your decision. To help you stay informed, here are the pros and cons of common types of dentures. 

Traditional Dentures 

When you think of dentures, chances are you picture traditional ones. Traditional dentures are removable replacements for an entire arch of missing teeth. They are supported by your gum tissue and bone and may be held in place with a dental adhesive.

Pros

• Traditional dentures restore the look of your smile.
• This style of denture is relatively affordable.
• The process only takes a few weeks to complete.

Cons

• They may limit some of the foods you can eat.
• They require adhesive which can be messy and inconvenient.
• They do not prevent bone loss in your jaw.

In summary, the traditional options restore much of the appearance and function of your teeth, but they do not prevent the bone deterioration that occurs with tooth loss.

Partial Dentures

For patients who are missing just a few teeth, partials are a good option. These are similar to traditional prosthetics but are not meant to replace an entire set of teeth. They are also supported by the gums and jaw but may also use dental clasps for added stability.

Pros

• Partials are easy to adapt to.
• If needed, they can be adjusted to add teeth.
• They are minimally invasive and relatively affordable.

Cons

• Partial dentures also do not prevent bone loss, and deterioration at the site can affect other teeth.
• They may cause a buildup of plaque around the adjacent teeth.
• Adjacent teeth may suffer trauma from the movement or pressure of the partial.

Since partial implants must be removed at night, they can negatively impact the teeth on either side of them. They are also not as stable as implant-supported dentures.

Implant-Supported Dentures

With a patient satisfaction rate of over 99%, dental implants are the most reliable method for anchoring restorative dental prosthetics. Implant-supported dentures are attached to titanium posts that act as a replacement for the roots of your missing teeth.

Pros

• Implant-supported prosthetics are a stable, permanent solution to tooth loss.
• They don’t restrict your diet.
• Since the posts act as a natural root, they stimulate the jaw bone and prevent bone recession.

Cons

• The process for obtaining dental implants can be lengthy.
• They are a more expensive option than traditional or partial dentures.
• The osseointegration process may take a long time.

If you choose implant-supported dentures, Dr. Bridges will recommend a specialist to place your implants. After that, we will create and attach your personalized prosthetics.

Learn More About Dentures in Duncan, OK

Bring back your confidence with a beautiful and functional smile! Visit our knowledgeable and caring team for expert dental care. To learn more about dentures or to schedule a consultation, call 580-255-4880 or contact us online to start your journey today!

The post The Pros and Cons of Different Types of Dentures appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

If you’re worried about aesthetic issues with traditional dentures, Dr. Bridges solves these issues by creating custom dentures with high-grade materials. Here are some common flaws that people worry about and how we resolve them.

Natural-Looking Gum Tissue

Your gums are an essential component of your smile. If your denture gums do not match your natural gums, you may worry about your dentures being obvious. Fortunately, modern dentures are much more convincing than in the past, thanks to advances in technology and dentistry skill.

At your denture appointment, Dr. Bridges customizes the color of the base of your dentures to match the pigment of natural gum tissue. Generally, we use acrylic resin for the base of dentures because it can be dyed in different shades to compliment the wearer’s unique gum tissue.

Additionally, a benefit of acrylic resin is that it can be painted on. So, we can even paint natural details (for example, blood vessels) to mimic the appearance of your natural gums. This helps your new realistic dentures seamlessly blend in with your natural gums.

Tooth Texture and Translucency

Furthermore, another common complaint about dentures is that the teeth look a bit flat because rudimentary dentures are made of plastic. Plastic is famously artificial-looking and doesn’t reflect light like natural enamel.

When you start the denture treatment process at Chisholm Trail Smile Center, we employ an extra step so that your new realistic dentures look and feel as natural as possible: the wax buildup. During this stage, we create a wax model of your teeth so that we can fit and make adjustments to optimize appearance and function before final fabrication. Also, we use ceramic material to create artificial teeth, because it closely imitates the appearance of natural enamel.

Teeth Shape and Size

In the past, dentures had limited options for the shape and size of the teeth. Other times, early dentures already came with standard teeth installed. If your dentures look too boxy, they can quickly fade your newfound confidence.

Natural teeth come in all shapes and sizes. Today, dentists can select teeth that complement the features that are uniquely yours.

Perfect Fit

Dentists design new dentures to fit securely in your mouth. However, your mouth can change over time as your age. So, once realistic dentures can eventually look loose and feel uncomfortable. Beyond aesthetic issues, ill-fitting dentures rub against the gums to cause irritation, inflammation, and sore spots. Also, it’s hard to chew with dentures that don’t fit, so this can pose nutritional and digestion issues.

If your dentures don’t comfortably fit, contact our Duncan office as soon as possible. We will happily create a plan for relining or readjustment.

Are you interested in realistic dentures in Duncan, OK? Look no further!

Full, partial, and implant-support dentures are great solutions that can help you regain confidence in your smile after tooth loss. We firmly believe that dentures should not only be functional but flawless in their appearance. Schedule a consultation for realistic dentures or our other prosthetic dental appliances by calling (580) 255-4880 or messaging us online. 

The post Realistic Dentures: Where to Find Them appeared first on Chisholm Trail.