Many people avoid getting dentures later on in life. To prevent the need for dentures, they opt for regular cleanings, frequent exams, and bi-annual dental visits, eat healthily and develop good dental habits. However, life, as we know it, is not as predictable. We tend to get busy and form bad habits. Thus, dental trauma is inevitable. There are various reasons why people need dentures despite having lived a life filled with great dental habits. But, dentures are not the end of everything. They help you retain the ability to properly speak, chew, and eat. Besides, dentures also allow you to maintain a beautiful smile.
Types of Dentures
If the dentist has told you to get dentures, chances are that you are thinking of just one type of dentures. However, there are many different types of dentures that are available. These are mentioned below.
Full Dentures
When people think of dentures, these are the first type of dentures that come to mind. Full dentures are the ideal choice for patients that have lost all or most of their teeth due to trauma or decay. These dentures have a colored base that helps keep the gums covered with porcelain or ceramic teeth. The goal is to ensure that the teeth match the look and natural color. It is possible to opt for a metal alloy base or an acrylic one. The latter are more popular because they comfortably and securely fit into your mouth. But, a metal alloy base is a lot more durable.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are a lot more common than you think. Whenever dental patients have lost a few teeth, partial dentures are the desired choice. They function to fill in the gaps that have been left by the missing teeth by either attaching to the existing teeth using metal clasps or attaching to the crowns.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Similar to partial dentures, implant-supported dentures are a popular alternative. Rather than having crowns or clasps attached to your existing teeth, these dentures are inserted into the gum to offer a more permanent and stable anchor.
Immediate Dentures
Unlike conventional dentures that take as much as 8 weeks to be made, immediate dentures are premade. This means that the dentist can immediately insert these dentures to prevent the gums of the patients from getting brittle and weak. It also helps prevent the jawbones from shrinking.
Over-Dentures
There are some dental patients that have a few strong and healthy teeth remaining but still need full dentures. Rather than have the existing teeth extracted, the dentures are made to make their way over the teeth.
Which Dentures Are Right For You?
Since there are so many options when it comes to choosing dentures, it is common to feel overwhelmed. There are certain things that should be considered to decide which type of denture to get. These are mentioned below.
- Cost
It all comes down to cost. No matter how much we might want something, if we cannot afford it, it is impossible to get it. The thing about dentures is that their cost varies widely. Aesthetics and quality increase their price. If you plan to get partial dentures, their cost would depend on the number of missing teeth whose gaps have to be filled and the quality of the dentures.
- Comfort and Secure
Another factor that impacts the cost of dentures is comfort. The more comfortable and secure the dentures the more you would need to pay. Implant-supported dentures tend to fit a lot better as compared to conventional partial dentures. Full dentures that have an acrylic base are the most comfortable option and cost more.
- Condition of the Remaining Teeth
The condition of the remaining teeth cannot be ignored. It influences the cost of dentures. Remember, the healthier the teeth, the more options you would have such as in the form of partial dentures. If you have many healthy teeth left, you might not even need to get dentures and can simply opt for implants.
- Condition of the Jaw Bones and Gums
Besides the condition of the remaining teeth, the condition of the jaw bones and gums also affects your options and how much you would need to pay. The healthier your jaw bone and gums the more options you would have.
Get Dentures Now
Although dentures might not seem like the ideal option, they are vital to continue speaking, eating, and performing many other tasks. Hence, you should go through this post to choose the right dentures.