Our dentistry practice is experienced in providing a custom fit and professional denture shopping experience. If you are experiencing loose/unsecure teeth or missing teeth, dentures become a priority for oral health.
As cosmetic and general dentists, we create custom fitting dentures that are functional, easy to use and create a natural appearance. Although they are known as false teeth, dentures have greatly advanced in recent years and no longer look fake! Our practice sells dentures from premium materials, custom made to every patient’s smile. That said, many patients still have outdated views on the treatment.
Common Misconceptions About Dentures:
- Dentures are only for the elderly. According to the CDC, only 6% of adults between the ages of 40 and 64 have no tooth loss. While seniors lose more teeth due to natural decay as they age, middle age and younger adults can benefit. Dentures are common after a car accident, sporting injury, oral cancer, gum disease and more conditions.
- Dentures are removable, can be lost and aren’t a permanent replacement. Decades ago, complete dentures were similar to an appliance with gums and teeth. Cartoons, movies and television have emphasized dentures falling out during talking, laughing, sneezing and eating.
Today, dentures can be removable, but permanent options also exist that function and look like natural teeth.
- Dentures are only if you’ve lost most or all of your teeth. Endentulism is the medical term for patients that have lost natural, adult teeth. 90 percent of those who suffer from edentulism have dentures. 60% of all denture wearers rely on partial dentures. Patients with a few missing teeth can benefit from partial dentures and upper and lower dentures are also now available.
- Dentures require tooth extraction. Long ago, removing teeth was a common procedure by dentists. Complete dentures were the only option at the time and replaced all teeth. At Hancock and Johnston, we prefer patients keep their natural teeth and smile. Our practice does not push full mouth extraction or immediate dentures also known as temporary dentures. One exception is gum disease and tooth decay. Teeth that are loose are not healthy and require extraction. Once removed, partial dentures can fill in the gaps.
- Everyone will know I wear dentures. Cosmetically, porcelain dentures blend into a patient’s smile and are similar in appearance to veneers. Do a search for celebrities that wear partial dentures and you may be surprised at how young and perfect their smiles are! Just like with veneers, dentures feature teeth that are aligned, pearly white and naturally shaped.
Unless you look at teeth every day for a living (a dentist), it is very difficult to notice premium dentures.
Cheap dentures are much more noticeable and are typically made of acrylic (plastic). They are not customized to a patient’s smile and rarely anchored with denture implants.
Partial Dentures
One of the more popular types of dentures in recent years, partial dentures can replace one or more missing teeth.
More common in young adults to middle aged adults, partial dentures can either be permanent or removable – similar to an appliance. Dental implants can both anchor permanent dentures and are an alternative to dentures. Dental implants combined with a bridge have a more lifelike appearance than any type of denture. In fact, bridges are technically known as fixed partial dentures.
Not all patients are a candidate for dental implants and they have a higher cost than other treatments. Removable partial dentures rely on nearby natural teeth and metal or mesh liners to anchor in place.
Our practice doesn’t sell dentures available at a big box store or online. Our partial dentures are custom fit to a patient’s mouth and teeth are shaped to match nearby teeth. The result is a natural smile with dentures that do not look fake!
Complete Dentures
Known as complete, full and conventional dentures, for a long time this type of denture was the only option available to patients. Complete dentures are designed for the upper (maxillary) or lower (mandibular) set of teeth.
Typically 75% or more teeth should be missing before considering complete dentures.
Premium full dentures no longer require adhesive and feature integrated supports. Essentially, patients will rarely experience complete dentures that fall out during normal wear.
Discuss Denture Options with Your Dentist
Schedule an appointment for a custom fit and discover denture options such as upper and lower, permanent, partial and removable dentures. We take many steps to deliver the very best fit and complete satisfaction. Our office also offers payment plans and financing.
