Replace Teeth With Traditional or Snap-On Implant-Supported Dentures
Let Dr. Luzar Recreate Your Smile In Rancho Mirage
When all of the natural teeth are lost to tooth decay, injury, or periodontal disease, total dentures are a common way to restore the smile and retain facial structure. Held in the mouth with adhesive, these removable artificial teeth are custom-made in the lab to match the look and structure of the face. Complete dentures make it easier to eat and speak in the absence of natural teeth.
Usually made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals, modern dentures are lifelike and light. Previously, porcelain was the material of choice because it offers the translucent look and feel of natural tooth enamel; it also shatterswhen dropped on a hard floor. Acrylic resin dental plates are sturdier and lighter, while easier to adjust to achieve the proper occlusion when the top and bottom teeth come together.
Making traditional dentures requires the dentist to make an impression of the mouth that is used to make a mold for a wax model to hold artificial teeth; the results approximates what the dentures will look like but is not exact. Once the model is fit in the mouth and any adjustments are made, the final dentures are made in a dental lab. The finished dentures will match the shade of patient’s gum and the desired tooth color.
Patients usually get their dentures six to eight weeks after the mouth is healed from multiple extractions. For those who want replacement teeth immediately, a temporary denture can be made based on measurements made during the patient’s preliminary visit. The new denture is placed in the mouth right after the teeth are extracted. Immediate dentures offer improved appearance during healing while also protecting tissues and reducing bleeding after the extraction.
As the mouth heals, the dentist can readjust the temporary denture to account for bone and gum healing over time. Once the tissues of the mouth have completely healed, the dentist will make a permanent denture.
With the rising popularity of dental implants as a way to replace missing teeth, implant-supported dentures have emerged as new way to enjoy artificial teeth that look and feel more natural than dentures. The dentures snap on to extensions of metal posts implanted in the gum.
Once the posts are implanted, they become embedded in the bone over a two to six-month period. During this time, many patients wear immediate dentures. After the bone has taken root, the dentist attaches a locator to the implant that protrudes from the gums and provides a base for the dentures. Within two weeks, the patient receives either snap-on dentures or dentures that are permanently attached to the extenders. In some cases, some patients are good candidates for TeethExpress, and they can get permanent dentures immediately.
Snap-on dentures are stable and less likely to slip than other types. Unless traditional dentures, they help patients retain bone mass that prevents weakening and loss of jawbone, while attractively concealing any that does occur.
While snap-on dentures are the solution that many dentists suggest to their patients who need a whole mouthful of teeth, cost is an impediment to many. Even those prepared to make the investment in snap-ons may not want to undergo the surgical procedures involved.
Most dentures wear down after five to eight years, but implants can last 20 years or more after installation. The long potential lifespan of implant-supported dentures may make the expense well worth it for many patients who want comfortable, trouble-free replacements for natural teeth.
If you are questioning which type of tooth replacement to invest in, Dr. Luzar can provide you with the information before acquiring dentures or implants. Call us today at (760) 674-8881.
As a dental consumer, you have the right to know the pro’s and con’s of any procedure, your treatment options, and the out-of-pocket cost to you. We provide you with the information you need to might the right choice of treatments for you.
To learn more about our services, or to schedule an examination, call (760) 674-8881.
