Are Dentures Right for You? What you need to know.  

Dentures used to be an expected part of aging. Today, patients take better care of their teeth and preventative dentistry has dramatically improved. It is no longer a given that you won’t make it to retirement with the same teeth you grew in childhood.

That said, dentures play a role in the smiles of over 30 million Americans. Loss of teeth can occur due to injuries or accidents, diabetes, lack of access to dentistry in childhood, or lack of preventative dentistry in adulthood. Dentures are artificial teeth, either a full or partial set, that sit atop the gums to replace missing teeth.

Patients used to fear that dentures would be painful, incompatible with favorite foods, create speech impediments or alter their facial appearance. Denture technology has advanced considerably over the decades. In the hands of the experts at Colson Dentistry, all of these outcomes can be avoided.

Could dentures be a “fit” for you? Let’s look at the pros and cons.

A winning smile opens doors to everything from jobs to relationships. Missing or damaged teeth dramatically reduce confidence in your smile. Replacing all or some of your teeth with full or partial dentures matched to the remaining teeth can restore that confidence. Missing teeth can also lead to asymmetrical sagging of the face. Patients sensitive about their facial symmetry can also boost their confidence by replacing the missing teeth with dentures.

When teeth are missing or decayed, certain foods can come off the menu. Dentures are specially designed to restore biting and chewing capacity. Finally, you can enjoy apples, steaks, corn, and other foods that may have been too difficult or painful to chew. You can even enjoy certain candies … but we recommend keeping those to a minimum!

Dentures attach to your gums by secure suction cupping. This means they can easily be popped out and cleaned or for added comfort at night.

Unlike dental implants, which affix to titanium screws in the jaw, dentures require no surgery or recovery period. Bear in mind, however, that some teeth may have to be removed in order to craft the best denture solution. Some healing and recovery may be necessary after these teeth are extracted. In this interim period, “immediate dentures,” a temporary denture solution, may be available.

No surgery is required, and dentures are not technology-intensive. As such, dentures don’t cost as much as dental implants.

Cons of Dentures

Although dentures are more affordable than dental implants, they may cost more in the long run due to the following drawback:

Suction-Adhesive technology is not foolproof. Dentures can become wiggly and wobbly as your mouth adapts. If this becomes uncomfortable and makes chewing difficult, an appointment should be scheduled with your dentist to adjust the dentures. This is likely to happen in the first year, and then every three to five years thereafter.

Dentures must be handled with care when removed for cleaning or sleeping. If they are dropped, they may break, requiring an expensive repair or replacement.

Unlike dental implants, dentures eventually will wear out. For younger patients, or patients who just want to “set it and forget it,” implants may be a better solution.

Need help deciding? Call Corson Dentistry today and make an appointment. Our patients are like family to us. We consider each unique situation and recommend only the treatments and appliances right for you.