When you suffer from a complex case of tooth loss, in which you have multiple missing teeth across your smile, this can impact how you eat, speak, or even how confident you feel. But we can help, so you can feel great about your smile again! In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about our partial dentures!
The Causes and Complications of Tooth Loss
Losing teeth could occur for multiple reasons. You could lose one to an injury or accident, or even due to a cavity or serious dental infection. But advanced tooth loss typically happens due to periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. When you have multiple gaps across your smile, this is too complex for a bridge to handle, but you may have enough natural teeth that a full set of dentures isn’t needed either.
But without replacement with a partial, this gap could increase the risk of misalignment as teeth drift due to the empty spaces in the smile. This could not only alters the appearance of your smile, but leaves you more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. The stress on your jaw joints from missing teeth and poor alignment could also increase the risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). You could also feel self-conscious about your appearance, and find yourself limited in your meal options. But fortunately, we can help!
Creating a Custom Denture
To begin, our team will closely examine your smile to see if you have disease or loosened teeth that require extraction. We then take detailed images and impressions of your bite with digital technology, which we then use in a lab setting to design and create your custom denture. With the partial, your prosthetic will contain lifelike ceramic teeth, shaded to blend with your smile. These will be inserted into a base made from acrylic and designed to look like gum tissue. There will also be metal clasps, invisible when your denture is in place, that connect to natural teeth to ensure your new prosthetic.
Securing Your New Partial
Once your removable denture is in place, you will be able to smile with confidence and eat a greater variety of food again. The prosthetic is easy to care for and we will discuss how to soak and clean them. The removable option can last about 5 to 10 years on average before replacement is needed. But we could also discuss supporting them with dental implants for a longer-lasting option!
Call Dr. Robert Browne, D.D.S. to Enjoy a Full Smile Again
A full smile can help you smile with confidence again and enjoy your favorite foods too. To find out more about our office, or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Robert M. Browne, D.D.S. in Prairie Village, KS at (913) 901-8585.
