DENTURES IN OAKVILLE
As unfortunate as it is, missing teeth are a reality that many of us have faced. Thankfully, we have solutions at our Oakville dental office. Depending on the number and location of lost teeth we can determine what of the many available replacement options are best for you. Our Oakville dentist, Dr. Amit Chaudhry, believes the traditional and still reliable option for replacing missing teeth is dentures. While dentures have been around hundreds, if not thousands of years, today's dentures are made from durable thermoplastics and cast metals. All dentures are removable. This can be a benefit and a drawback.
Partial Dentures
When you are missing some, but not all of your teeth, one way to replace them is to use a denture that only replaces those teeth. A removable partial denture is a set of replacement teeth and gums made of acrylic and metal. The design of the denture, as well as its stability and retention varies depending on which and how many teeth are missing. The partial attaches to the remaining teeth for stability by the use of clasps ("wires"), yet is still removable.
Advantages:
- Able to replace lost teeth and gums
- Can be fabricated relatively quickly
- Relative low cost
- Often teeth can be added to the denture if existing teeth are lost
- Stabilizes bite and prevents unwanted drifting or tilting of existing teeth into the space where the teeth are missing
- Long history of use
Disadvantages:
- Difficulty adjusting to a removable prosthesis for some
- Metal clasps or wires are used to retain and stabilize the denture by holding on to some of the remaining natural teeth. This often shows when smiling or speaking.
- Speech and chewing difficulties- they are removable so will move during use
- Food accumulation under denture may contribute to decay and gum disease if note cleaned meticulously as plaque and food is trapped right against the natural teeth the denture attaches to by way of the clasps.
- Need to be removed at bedtime
- Loosen with use
- Breakage
Complete Dentures
At our Oakville family dental office, we use complete or full dentures in situations where there are no remaining teeth in your upper or lower arch (ridge). They sit directly on your gums. Some call them false teeth. They are made of acrylic and replace receded gums as well as missing teeth.
Advantages:
- Can be fabricated quickly
- Can be esthetically good
- Replaces missing teeth and gums that have shrunk away as a result of tooth loss
- Relatively low cost
- Long history of use
Disadvantages:
Movement during eating and speaking
Inability to chew many foods - only low biting & chewing pressure can be produced
Lower complete dentures sit on a smaller area ( uppers have roof of the mouth to sit on too) allowing for poor retention and support that worsens over time
Pressure directly on gums and underlying bone causes continued bone loss over time. This leads to poor support and retention over time and the need for relines.
Taste problems
Food accumulation underneath as you eat
Large size may be too much for some causing gagging
Risk of breakage
Need to remove at bedtime
There are other options to replace missing teeth, such as Dental Implants, Crowns, or Bridges.
Book an appointment at Hopedale Dental Care, our Oakville dental office, today to explore which is the best solution for your smile.
