What do ivory, teeth from fallen soldiers, and animal bones have in common? They have all been used to create dentures in the course of human history.
Of course, they aren’t the only things. Alexis Duchâteau made porcelain dentures in 1774, and since then newer materials like Vulcanite (which has nothing to do with Star Trek), resins, and plastics have made dentures better looking and longer lasting.
Have you been thinking about dentures for yourself or someone you love? Then come talk to us at Beaumont Family Dentistry at any of our Lexington area offices.
Should you get dentures?
If you are pondering that question, we offer a free consultation for our patients. You can schedule a time to come to our office and ask any questions you may have. This can help you see how dentures could benefit you and allow you to consider the different types of dentures available. (More on that below.)
Before that, you may be wondering if you are a candidate for dentures. Let’s consider some factors that may come into play:
• Are you missing multiple teeth? Dentures can definitely fill in the gaps between your teeth.
• Are your remaining teeth healthy? If not, you may want to have them removed and consider replacing them with dentures.
• Are you having trouble eating certain foods? This is possible if you are missing teeth or your teeth are loose. Good dentures can more than adequately take the place of your teeth and allow you to eat with more confidence.
• Are you self-conscious about your smile? Maybe you don’t have any trouble eating the foods you like, but that’s only one issue that can arise from missing teeth. If you have become ashamed of your smile, dentures can restore your comfort by giving you the appearance of a full set of teeth.
These are just a few of the reasons you may be considering dentures. Again, we are available to answer any questions you may have.
Types of dentures
At our office, our patients can choose from four types of dentures. They are:
• Partial dentures — If you are missing some teeth, but your remaining teeth are still healthy, partial dentures can fill in the gap or gaps. An adhesive holds these dentures in place, making them easy to take out and clean.
• Full removable dentures — If you are missing several teeth, a full set of dentures to replace them may be a better option. You also may consider this if your remaining teeth are unhealthy and should be removed. Full dentures also are held in place with an adhesive and can be taken out easily.
• Implant-retained dentures — These dentures are more secure. They are held in place by small dental implants that are placed in your jaw surgically. This provides the foundation for your dentures. They connect to a ball attachment at the end of your implants. This holds them securely in place while you are eating and speaking.
• Implant-supported dentures — These are similar to the implant-retained dentures. The difference is how they are attached to your implants. These are connected to a bar, which is attached directly to the implants. Again, this is a secure and functional set of dentures.
Alternatives to dentures
For thousands of years, people have created ways to replace missing teeth. Historically, this has been for practical reasons (to eat), but today we also consider cosmetic benefits (our appearance).
And just as we’ve seen advances in the materials and the ways we make dentures. We have developed new methods for filling in the gaps where we once had teeth.
These new technologies give you fully functioning tooth replacements that look and feel like your original teeth.
Some options we offer include:
– Crowns and bridges (for partial dentures)
– Dental implants
Depending on your needs, one of those may fit the bill better than dentures.
Come talk to us
As we mentioned above, we offer free consultations for our patients who are considering dentures or other cosmetic or restorative dental services.
It’s important that you know and understand your options and the benefits of each before making a decision about how to proceed.
If you are ready to move forward or just want to talk to someone about dentures, please call Beaumont Family Dentistry at 859-223-2120, or stop by one of our Lexington offices located at 3141 Beaumont Centre Circle Suite 300, 100 Trade Street Suite 175, or 2408 Sir Barton Way Suite 225.