What are Dentures and How Can They Replace Missing Teeth?

There are many different reasons that you can lose teeth, like gum disease, decay, or even injury. Sometimes, you’ll lose teeth as a natural part of aging. It’s natural to feel self-conscious when you’ve lost teeth and feel like it affects your ability to smile and enjoy yourself. There are lots of different options for restoration when it comes to your teeth, and dentures can transform your smile with the help of your dentist.

Dentures are a type of removable appliance that can replace missing teeth so that your smile looks, feels, and is functionally complete. There are a few different types to choose from so you can create the restoration treatment that works best for you and your lifestyle. The best part is that modern denture treatments are often natural-looking and undetectable from your natural smile, so you can feel like your best self.

Dentures can come with multiple benefits, including both medical and cosmetic. Aside from protecting your gums and jawbone from damage and wear after you lose teeth, dentures can help fill out your face and prevent sagging that is common after losing teeth. With the right denture treatment, you can enjoy normal eating, speaking, and chewing again. At Keys Dental Specialists, we offer high-tech removable and implant-supported dentures that are durable, made from non-toxic materials, and designed for comfort. Come see our team of experts, Dr. Guthrie and Dr. Eberle, and let us help you transform your smile.

Types of Dentures Offered at Our Key West Dental Office

Conventional Dentures

This is what most people think of when they hear the word “dentures.” These are, however, much more sophisticated and realistic than most peoples’ images of dentures. This is a fully-removable restoration device that is custom-made to fit your mouth and complement your natural smile. A full or complete denture is placed in your mouth using an adhesive after any remaining teeth are removed and the tissues have healed. This process can take several months but offers flexibility and comprehensive restoration.

For some patients, partial dentures are also available. These consist of false teeth that fit into gaps if you have healthy, natural teeth that remain. They are a great option for those who want to avoid unnecessarily removing teeth and who have a majority of their teeth remaining in good condition but still need to restore their smile.

Immediate Dentures

An immediate denture is a type of removable denture that is placed on the same day that your teeth are removed. This way, you don’t have to be without teeth during your recovery period. This means that some measurements will be taken to create a temporary denture during a preliminary appointment. An immediate denture can be relined or remade after the jaw has healed so that you have a longer-term device to wear.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Today, implant-supported dentures are the go-to restoration method for missing teeth. A modern implant denture is high-tech and can truly restore and transform your smile by relying on an implant placed directly into the jawbone. They can require some extra steps to ensure that these dentures become a functional part of your mouth and jaw, but this means that they will last for a lifetime with the right care.