Having missing teeth can significantly affect your confidence and oral health. It can prevent you from smiling and talking comfortably. Also, it can cause grave consequences to the alignment of your teeth and the health of your bite.
This is why it is important to consider teeth replacement options. A complete set of teeth can do wonders to keep your smile and dental health in tip-top condition. At Midpark Dental, among the options we offer to replace missing teeth includes partial dentures.
Here’s everything you need to know about partial dentures – when you need it, why it is the best option, and the aftercare required to help them last as long as possible.
Why should I replace missing teeth?
First, let us understand why you need dentures. Dentures are the go-to treatment for missing teeth. Whether you have just one missing tooth or a full set of missing teeth, dentures can help with that. And there are several reasons why you should get it done.
Among the key reasons why you should consider teeth replacement are:
- Boosts confidence when smiling
- Encourages healthy eating habits
- Prevents shifting of teeth that may cause crowding or spacing
- Promotes good oral health and a healthy bite
Types of Dentures
Dentures are prostheses used to replace teeth. Ideally, dentures should be lightweight and natural-looking so they can be both functional and beautiful. Midpark Dental recommends a specific denture type based on how many teeth you are missing and on your goals of treatment. Generally, you have three options:
- Partial Dentures – removable dentures that replace one to a few sets of missing teeth
- Full Dentures – also removable and is the treatment for a full set of missing teeth for one or both jaws
- Implant-supported Dentures – whether partial or full, are retained in the mouth using surgically embedded implants to create a fixed prosthesis
About Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are made with gum-coloured acrylic or plastic base and replacement porcelain teeth. They should fit nicely over the gums, providing optimal comfort during wear and function. Sometimes, partial dentures may include attachments, connectors, a metal framework, or metal clasps. These are important parts of the dentures that help to hold the dentures in place.
No partial denture is the same. Different patients would have different sets of missing teeth, different smiles, and different anatomy of the mouth. This is why partial dentures should be customized according to your needs and preference. After an initial assessment, our Midpark Dental team can help you discover the best partial denture design to restore the beauty of your smile.
How are partial dentures done?
Generally, dentures are completed in three main steps:
Impression-taking, smile design
First, your dentist must take your mouth impression to create a cast that duplicates your teeth. This can be done using traditional impression material or digital impressions. Then, your dentures are customized according to the type of material you prefer, the colour and size of the replacement teeth, and other specifications you may have.
Trial fitting
Then, we do a trial denture fit. This ensures that your dentures are created according to your smile goals. Your dentist will assess the smile, bite, and fit during this time. Adjustments should be made before the final dentures are processed to prevent faulty, ill-fitting dentures.
Denture delivery
Before you go home with your new set of teeth, our dentist needs to check if the form, appearance, and function are well-designed. If necessary, there may be some modifications to be done to make sure you are happy with your dentures.
What to Expect with Partial Denture
If you have previous dentures, it may take a while to get used to wearing and using your new ones.
Some tips and tricks you should know are:
- 24 hours – a full day will help your gums adapt better to your new dentures. So, make sure to keep them on for a day.
- Practice – it is normal for you to feel awkward when using your dentures. Try to practice putting them on and off. Eventually, you will get used to them.
- Comfort – some discomfort is expected, especially with brand new dentures. The more you use your dentures, the earlier you can get accustomed to them.
- Mouth sores – this is a common problem. If you develop several mouth sores, let your dentist know so they can adjust the dentures for a better fit.
- Eating – it may also take a while for you to get comfortable with eating. Start with soft foods and slowly ease into a regular diet.
- Speaking – your speech may be altered with your new dentures. However, with daily use and practice, you should be able to learn how to talk properly in no time.
How to take care of partial dentures?
Your dentures are not made to last forever. You use them every day, so they are expected to undergo wear and tear. Aside from that, your gums will eventually decrease in height due to the absence of teeth. So, after a few years, your dentures may feel loose and less comfortable to wear.
However, with good care, you should enjoy using and smiling with your partial dentures for quite a long time.
Remember these aftercare tips to help keep your dentures in good shape:
- Clean them daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove stains, plaque, and debris.
- Use dishwashing liquid or hand soap when cleaning. Avoid cleaning with toothpaste as these are abrasive to your dentures.
- Soak your dentures in a solution overnight to keep them moist and in good shape for use the next day.
- Keep them in their container when not in use to avoid bacteria build-up.
- Practice proper oral hygiene to prevent plaque accumulation.
Teeth Replacement Options at Midpark Dental
Aside from partial dentures, Midpark Dental also offers dental bridges to replace missing teeth. A dental bridge is a good alternative if you have 1 – 3 adjacent missing teeth. Unlike removable partial dentures, a dental bridge is fixed in the mouth using teeth abutments on each end of the space.
We also recommend dental implants, which hold a bridge or denture in place using implant fixtures embedded in the jaw. This is the best teeth replacement option as it can replicate the look, feel, and overall function of your natural tooth.
If you have a missing tooth or teeth and want to know more about your options, contact our team today at Midpark Dental. With a comprehensive range of treatment choices, we can discuss the pros and cons and help you discover the best way to improve your smile.