Learning About The World Of Dentistry

It's important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible, since regular functions like eating and speaking are compromised. Some patients think they only have two choices: expensive implants or traditional dentures that don't look aesthetically pleasing. Here are three denture options you might want to look into.

All-on-Four Dentures

The name "all on four" means you get all of your false teeth on four implant posts. If you have numerous missing teeth, implants can seem like an impossibly expensive option. But you don't need posts for every missing tooth like you would with regular dental implants. Instead of needing seven, eight, or nine implants, you only need four, which can make the cost more bearable.

All-on-four dentures are better than traditional dentures because they are semi-permanent and do not need adhesive. Because they are secured on implant posts, you'll be able to bite more forcefully and eat foods you may not be able to eat with traditional dentures.

All-on-four dentures are aesthetically pleasing. They are made out of high-quality materials, such as porcelain, cobalt-chromium, and acrylic fused to titanium.

Partial Dentures

If you only need to replace one or two missing teeth, you can save money by getting a partial denture instead of an implant. Like all-on-four dentures, these prostheses can look aesthetically pleasing and are made of a metal and plastic framework that can clasp to surrounding teeth. Since they latch on to surrounding teeth with clasps, they are semi-permanent and won't pop out like dentures held with adhesives.  

Thermoplastic Nylon Dentures

Thermoplastic nylon dentures are arguably the nicest kinds of dentures out there since they are very thin and can blend easily with natural gum tissue. If you have a severe gag reflex, these dentures are the way to go since they are much less bulky than traditional dentures. These dentures are also ideal if you have a metal or acrylic allergy.

Because these prostheses are flexible, they are very difficult to break if accidentally dropped. So what's the catch? If you do damage these dentures, you'd have to be fitted with completely new ones since repairs are too hard to make with this kind of material. So if you have thermoplastic dentures, be sure you have back-up dentures in case new ones need to be made in a lab.

As you can see traditional dentures aren't your only restorative option. Talk with a dentist, like those at All Valley Dental, for more information on different kinds of dentures.