When you have multiple missing teeth, your smile can suffer. In social situations, you may hide your teeth when you smile or talk. You may also find it hard to eat the foods you love. At Groesbeck Family Dental, we provide dentures in Groesbeck, TX, to help restore the smile’s function and aesthetics. Dentures are restorative dental treatments that help replace missing teeth with natural-looking replacement teeth.
The Benefits of Dentures
Dentures are a common and effective solution for people who have lost some or all of their teeth. They are custom-made, removable appliances designed to restore your smile’s appearance and function. Whether you’ve lost teeth due to aging, injury, or dental disease, dentures can help you regain confidence and improve your quality of life.
Improved Appearance
One of dentures’ biggest advantages is how they improve your appearance. Missing teeth can make you look older, as the lack of teeth causes the face to sag. Dentures restore the shape of your face and provide a more youthful look. They are custom-designed to fit your mouth, ensuring they look natural and blend seamlessly with your remaining teeth.
Restored Function and Comfort
Missing teeth can make chewing, speaking, and eating certain foods difficult. Dentures restore the ability to eat a wide variety of foods, including meats, vegetables, and fruits, which might have been difficult to enjoy without teeth. With dentures, you can chew food comfortably and speak clearly without worrying about gaps or discomfort.
Improved Speech
When you have missing teeth, it can affect your speech. Certain sounds or words might become harder to pronounce. Dentures help restore normal speech patterns by filling in the gaps left by lost teeth. Once adjusted to your dentures, you’ll be able to speak clearly and confidently again.
Simple and Quick Solution
Dentures are a relatively simple and quick solution for replacing missing teeth. Unlike dental implants, which require surgery and healing time, dentures can be made and fitted in just a few appointments. This makes them an attractive option for people who need immediate results and want to avoid more invasive procedures.
Prevents Jaw Misalignment and Further Tooth Loss
When teeth are missing, the remaining teeth can shift out of place, causing bite problems and misalignment. Dentures help prevent this by filling the gaps, which helps to keep your remaining teeth in the proper position. They also support the jaw and reduce the risk of further tooth loss or bone shrinkage, which can occur when teeth are missing for an extended period.
Easy to Maintain and Care For
Dentures are easy to maintain and care for. While they are removable, they can be cleaned and cared for like natural teeth. Regular cleaning is essential to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent staining. Dentures should be brushed daily to remove food particles and soaked overnight to keep them clean and prevent damage.
Boosted Confidence and Self-Esteem
Having missing teeth can make people feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their appearance. Dentures restore your smile, giving you back your confidence. Whether socializing with friends or speaking in public, dentures allow you to feel good about your smile and interact comfortably with others.
Types of Dentures
Our office provides partial and full dentures. Partial dentures replace multiple missing teeth in different parts of the smile. If all your teeth are missing, you benefit from full dentures. Also known as complete dentures, these restorations replace one or both full arches of missing teeth.
Common types of dentures include:
- Conventional Dentures: After the dentist removes the remaining teeth, they can place a conventional denture. The dentist will allow time for the tissues to heal before they place this full and removable denture.
- Immediate Dentures: Dentists place immediate dentures on the same day they remove the remaining teeth. Your dentist prepares for this treatment by taking impressions and precise measurements of the smile. The benefit of this treatment is that you don’t have to wait for your restoration.
- Overdentures: An overdenture is a removable denture that can cover remaining teeth or use the support of dental implants. The overdenture helps preserve healthy natural bone.
Choosing Dental Implants Over Adhesive
Implant-supported dentures provide a secure, long-lasting solution for people who have lost most or all of their teeth. Unlike traditional dentures that rest on the gums, implant-supported dentures attach to dental implants, which are surgically placed into the jawbone. This connection offers a more stable and comfortable fit, improving both function and appearance. For many patients, implant-supported dentures provide a life-changing upgrade from traditional removable dentures.
Improved Stability and Comfort
One of the biggest advantages of implant-supported dentures is their secure fit. Traditional dentures can slip or move while eating and speaking, causing discomfort and embarrassment. Since implant-supported dentures are anchored to the jawbone, they stay firmly in place. This stability allows patients to eat, talk, and laugh with confidence, without worrying about their dentures shifting or falling out.
Better Chewing Ability
Traditional dentures can make it difficult to chew certain foods, limiting dietary choices. Many people with removable dentures avoid crunchy, chewy, or tough foods because they are hard to eat. Implant-supported dentures restore a stronger bite, allowing patients to enjoy a wider variety of foods, including meats, fruits, and vegetables. This leads to better nutrition and overall health.
Prevents Bone Loss and Supports Jaw Health
When teeth are missing, the jawbone begins to shrink over time due to lack of stimulation. Traditional dentures do not prevent this bone loss, which can cause the face to appear sunken or aged. However, dental implants act like natural tooth roots, stimulating the bone and preventing deterioration. This helps maintain a strong jawbone and a more youthful facial structure.
Longer-Lasting and More Durable
Implant-supported dentures last longer than traditional dentures. While regular dentures may need frequent adjustments or replacements due to wear and changes in the jaw, implant-supported dentures are designed for long-term use. With proper care, they can last for decades, making them a more reliable and cost-effective solution in the long run.
No Need for Adhesives or Special Cleaning
Traditional dentures often require messy adhesives to stay in place. Implant-supported dentures eliminate this hassle, as they securely attach to the implants without the need for glue. Additionally, cleaning implant-supported dentures is easier because they can be brushed and cared for like natural teeth. This makes daily oral hygiene more convenient and effective.
Improved Speech and Confidence
Loose-fitting dentures can cause speech difficulties, making it hard to pronounce certain words. Because implant-supported dentures fit securely, they allow for clearer and more natural speech. This boosts confidence, making social interactions more comfortable and enjoyable.
Dentures in Groesbeck, TX
Before denture treatment, we ensure that patients are in good oral health. We will address dental problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and other issues affecting oral health. Sometimes, we may remove the remaining teeth if they are badly decayed or damaged. Then, we will begin treatment.
We will take dental X-rays of the teeth and jaw to determine if you have remaining healthy jaw bone. These X-rays also show the gaps in your smile.
If you receive removable dentures, it will take two or more dental visits to receive your restoration. During the first appointment, we take dental impressions to create your custom dentures. We send these impressions to a dental lab, where technicians create the dentures from porcelain. After several weeks, you will return to our office for a fitting. We will ensure that your dentures look and feel natural.
Dental Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-secured dentures can last longer than traditional dentures. Traditional dentures last five to seven years. They will require relining, rebasing, or replacement over time. On average, implant dentures can last over fifteen years. The titanium implant posts themselves are permanent and will stay in place.
Dentists use implants for removable snap-on dentures and fixed implant dentures. We recommend fixed implant dentures because they act more like natural teeth. You do not need to remove your dentures to clean them with these hybrid dentures.
During implant treatment, we place implants in the jawbone and place a healing cap. During a period called osseointegration, the implant posts fuse with the jawbone. After your implants are fully healed, we take dental impressions. As with traditional dentures, a dental lab will create custom dentures from these impressions. While it can take longer to complete implant treatment, the results are worth it.
Dentures FAQs
Discover more about dentures with answers to these commonly asked questions:
How long do dentures last?
The lifespan of dentures varies depending on the material used, how well they are cared for, and how often they are used. On average, dentures last between 5 to 10 years. Over time, your mouth can change shape due to natural aging or bone loss, which may require adjustments or even a new set of dentures. Regular visits to your dentist will help ensure that your dentures continue to fit well and function properly.
Are dentures comfortable?
While dentures may take some time to adjust to, they are designed to be as comfortable as possible. Initially, you may experience some soreness or irritation as your gums get used to the dentures. Over time, this discomfort should subside as the tissues in your mouth adapt. If you experience persistent discomfort, it’s important to consult your dentist, as adjustments may be necessary.
Can I eat with dentures?
Yes, you can eat with dentures, but getting used to them may take some time. Start with softer foods and gradually move on to harder foods as you become more comfortable. When eating, cut food into smaller pieces and chew slowly to avoid putting too much pressure on your dentures. Over time, you should be able to eat most foods without difficulty.
Will dentures impact my speech?
It’s normal to experience speech changes when you first start wearing dentures. You may notice a slight lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain words. With time and practice, most people adapt to their dentures and regain normal speech. If speech problems persist, your dentist can make adjustments to improve the fit and comfort of your dentures.
Do dentures look natural?
Modern dentures are designed to closely mimic the look of natural teeth. They are custom-made to fit the contours of your mouth and match the color of your natural gums and teeth. With the right design, dentures can blend seamlessly with your smile, making them virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Does dental insurance cover dentures?
Dentures may be partially covered by dental insurance, but coverage can vary depending on your plan. Some plans may cover a portion of the cost of the dentures, while others may provide coverage for repairs or adjustments. It’s important to check with your insurance provider to understand the details of your coverage.
Restore Missing Teeth with Dentures in Groesbeck, TX
Are your missing teeth leading to more dental health problems? Try dentures. Call Groesbeck Family Dental at (254) 556-3973. You can also schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Todd Collins and Dr. William Jennings online.
If you have any questions about dentures, please get in touch with our office. We will help you find the right type of denture for you.