Dentures – Arlington, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

The cause of tooth loss can vary. Sometimes it’s the result of advanced gum disease, and on other occasions it’s due to an accident involving physical trauma to the jaw. But regardless of why there are now gaps in your smile, you can often expect the following consequences:

• It will be more difficult to chew your food, thus potentially limiting your diet and causing your nutrition to suffer.
• Depending on which teeth were lost, you may have trouble speaking clearly.
• Gaps left by missing teeth can draw the wrong sort of attention to your smile, which can cause you to feel less confident in social situations.

Missing teeth are not something you should force yourself to live with. Instead, you should schedule a consultation with us so that we can determine the best way to fill in the empty space in your grin.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures are often recommended for patients who are suffering from significant tooth loss, such as those who are missing an entire row of teeth. Before you can get dentures, though, we’ll need to make sure that your gums are healthy; if you currently have gum disease, it should be treated first. We will also have to confirm that there’s a sufficient amount of bone in your jaw.

It should be noted that different patients may potentially qualify for different kinds of dentures. Those who are only missing a few teeth may be able to fill in the gaps with partial dentures; meanwhile, full dentures are recommended for people who have lost all of their teeth. And if you’re a viable candidate for dental implants, then you might be able to get sturdy, long-lasting implant dentures. We can discuss your options in more detail when you visit us for a consultation.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Dentures aren’t a good fit for everyone, but luckily our practice is able to offer other tooth replacement options:

• Dental Bridges: A dental bridge can replace one tooth or several teeth in a row. Traditional bridges use natural teeth for support. As such, in order to qualify for a dental bridge, you need to still have healthy teeth on either side of the empty space being filled.

Dental Implants: You can only have dental implants placed if there’s enough bone density in your jaw. This method of tooth replacement may have a higher initial cost, but it can also last for decades with the right maintenance.

Partial Dentures

If you still have some healthy natural teeth, partial dentures may be right for you. They fit in around the remaining teeth and stay in place with the help of small metal or acrylic clips. Typically, partial dentures consist of an acrylic base and acrylic teeth.

Full Dentures

A full denture replaces an entire arch of lost teeth. Usually, they have an acrylic base along with acrylic or porcelain teeth. The base is carefully designed to work with a patient’s unique oral structures. Suction or adhesive helps a full denture to stay in place during eating and speaking.

Implant Dentures

Dental implants are small titanium cylinders that act as prosthetic tooth roots. Once they are surgically placed in the jawbone, they can provide an incredibly strong base for dentures. We often recommend implant dentures as the best option for qualifying patients due to the many outstanding benefits they offer.

Psychological Benefits

The loss of teeth can quickly cause a downturn in self-esteem and lead to anxiety or depression. Dentures offer a solution by restoring your smile and giving you the confidence to engage with others without fear of judgment. A natural-looking smile can often give you a boost of self-confidence, leading to a more positive self-image and improved overall mental health. With denture prosthetics, you can smile, laugh, and communicate more freely, knowing that you’re looking your best.

Clearer Enunciation

Missing teeth can make it difficult to pronounce certain words correctly, leading to slurring, mumbling, or lisps. Dentures can restore your ability to enunciate words clearly by filling in gaps and providing proper support for your lips and tongue. With a well-fitted prosthetic, you can confidently carry on conversations without worrying about mispronouncing words or making unintended noise. This makes talking with others smoother and more enjoyable.

Improves Nutrition

Eating a balanced diet is essential for good health, but missing teeth can make it challenging to chew certain foods. Dentures allow you to enjoy a wider variety of meals, including those that are important for a nutritious diet, like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. By improving your ability to process food, these prosthetics help you maintain a varied diet, which in turn supports your overall health and energy levels.

Preserves Oral Health

Dentures also play a critical role in preserving your oral health by preventing your remaining natural teeth from shifting out of place. This helps support proper bite alignment and function, reducing the risk of jaw pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. Without treatment, shifting teeth can create excessive enamel wear and make oral hygiene more difficult. By preserving your smile with a denture appliance, you set yourself up for better mouth health overall, saving you time, money, and discomfort.

Expands Opportunity

A healthy, complete smile can open doors both socially and professionally. According to a 2019 study, job seekers with poor oral health were much less likely to land job interviews and promotions. This means that your teeth are an incredibly valuable investment for your future. By restoring your smile with dentures, you can boost your confidence in job interviews, networking events, and even social gatherings. The enhanced appearance and improved self-esteem that come with dentures can lead to greater success in both your personal and professional life!

Removable Dentures

Remove After Eating

Remove and rinse your dentures after each meal to flush away loose food debris and accumulations of plaque. Remember not to use hot water, as this can warp the bases of your dentures and cause them to lose their fit.

Clean Your Restoration

Dentures must be removed to be properly cleaned, and it is best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dish soap, unscented hand soap, or an approved denture cleanser to clean your appliance without scratching its artificial teeth. Don’t use regular toothpaste, as it can be too abrasive, and remember to soak your dentures if you are not going to wear them immediately so they do not dry out and warp. Always rinse your dentures before placing them back in your mouth, as lingering cleaning products can be harmful if swallowed.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Pets and small children are infamous for breaking important objects, so make sure that you keep your dentures out of their reach. Whenever you clean your dentures, fill your sink with cool or lukewarm water and cover the countertop with folded towels to create a cushion in case you lose your grip on your appliance.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

Wearing your dentures continuously can exhaust the gums, leading to them receding or becoming irritated and infected. Most patients remove and soak their dentures before they go to bed so their mouths can rest and clean themselves. When you do this, use an approved denture-soaking solution to prevent your appliance from dying out and losing its fit.

Notice Changes

It’s crucial for a patient to keep an eye on their dentures and their oral health so they can bring any problems to our attention. A few things to look for include oral sores, gum irritation, signs of infection, denture damage, or signs of the appliance not fitting properly such as clicking or shifting. We may be able to adjust or reline a poorly fitting denture, but we may need to replace an appliance in some cases. Never attempt to repair your own dentures, as this can damage them further or cause dangerous substances such as superglue to be placed in your mouth.