Unfortunately, losing teeth is much more common than people may think. In fact, over 20% of adults over the age of 65 have no natural teeth left. Of those who do still retain some natural teeth, nearly half – 47% – still wear dentures. When teeth decay or fall out, it can affect breathing, eating and general quality of life. Dentures can replace some or all teeth to restore functionality and aesthetics.
Reasons for Tooth Loss
Tooth loss can occur for a variety of reasons. Teeth that are broken down and infected cannot always be saved and may need to be removed to clear up the infection. Severe periodontal disease destroys the soft and hard tissues around teeth so they eventually become lose and must be removed. Sometimes teeth can simply fail, perhaps because the tooth has cracked right through the tooth root. Other times teeth will be lost due to trauma and dental injuries are unfortunately all too common.
What are the Benefits of Dentures?
There are several reasons why someone will need partial or complete dentures. The most common reasons for seeking this treatment include:
Difficulty Eating
Losing teeth can make it difficult to bite and chew in comfort and as a result people may avoid many of the foods they used to enjoy, instead choosing foods that are soft and which require little or no chewing. Such a restricted diet can make it difficult to obtain sufficient nutrients from food, potentially affecting overall health. Replacing teeth with dentures will increase the number of foods that can be comfortably eaten, making it easier to enjoy a nutritionally sound diet.
Cosmetic Improvements
Tooth loss can leave embarrassing spaces in the mouth and many people will feel self-conscious when smiling and talking with others. Dentures are an easy and cost-effective way to replace missing teeth. We take tremendous care when designing dentures to ensure they look natural, restoring the ability to smile and talk with confidence.
Restoring Facial Appearance
Losing multiple teeth can negatively affect facial appearance. Without the support provided by teeth, the facial muscles will collapse inwards which can be give the face an aged appearance. Tooth loss also causes a loss of height between the upper and lower jaws, greatly affecting overall facial appearance. Dentures are designed to provide good support for the facial muscles in the cheeks and lips and restore the correct height between the upper and lower jaws. Anyone who has put up with tooth loss could notice a considerable improvement in their facial appearance.
Preventing Tooth Movement
Losing some teeth affects those remaining as they will begin to drift towards the empty spaces or may over-erupt, affecting the way teeth bite together or occlude. Replacing these teeth with a partial denture will prevent teeth from drifting out of place, increasing their stability in the mouth.
Dentures versus Dental Implants
Dentures are one way to replacing missing teeth but often dental implants are an alternative that is gaining popularity. However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for the procedure. Our dentist can carefully assess your suitability and will discuss all suitable options, identifying the best solution for you.
How Are Dentures Made?
We take enormous care when designing and making all our dentures and will choose denture teeth that will complement your facial features. These teeth are based in gum coloured acrylic in a shade that will blend in with your natural gums. To do this, we will need to see you several times and your denture, to try-in, fit and adjust your denture so you get the very best and most comfortable result. Initially your denture teeth will be fitted using a pink wax base, so you will see how your new teeth will look and feel. This allows us to accurately adjust your denture before the wax is replaced with acrylic. After your new dentures are fitted, we provide you with information on how to care for your denture. We will generally suggest a follow-up appointment a week or so later. This is just to check you are still happy with the fit of your new dentures.
How Redcliffe Dental can help
If you think you may need dentures or would like some more information on the procedure, talk to the experts at Redcliffe Dental. Our team are specialists in oral care, including products like dentures, and can help you get the smile you deserve.