Dentures in Ontario, CA
Tooth loss is a widespread dental problem affecting the lives of many American adults. According to the CDC, about a quarter of adults aged 65 or older have 8 or fewer teeth remaining, with 1 in 6 adults missing all their teeth. Losing permanent teeth can profoundly affect our lives, forcing us to change the foods we eat, alter our way of speaking, and shy away from laughing or smiling. Dentures are a common method for replacing missing teeth, allowing you to regain the function of your bite and restore your smile.
At Esparza Dentistry, we offer different denture options depending on the condition of your teeth, your dental goals and preferences, and your budget. Read on to learn more about traditional dentures and revolutionary implant dentures.
Why Do You Need Dentures?
If you have lost some or all of your teeth, dentures can help. Whether you have lost teeth due to gum disease, decay, erosion, or injury, replacing your teeth quickly can enhance your quality of life. One important benefit of dentures is that they help you eat normally. When you are missing teeth, eating a healthy, balanced diet becomes difficult. Severe tooth loss impairs your ability to chew meats, fruits, and vegetables while putting excess pressure on your remaining teeth. Gaps also invite food and bacteria buildup that can lead to further complications like decay and gum disease. Dentures distribute your chewing force and shield vulnerable gaps.
Your teeth also play a crucial role in how you pronounce words. Dentures aid in proper pronunciation, enabling you to speak confidently.
In addition to impairing your ability to eat and speak as you used to, gaps in your smile can impact your self-esteem. When you lose teeth, you may avoid social activities due to changes in your facial appearance. Dentures allow you to flash a beautiful smile and retain your facial structure. Some denture options even maintain the long-term health of your gum and jawbone in ways that other options can’t.
Denture Types
Dentures are prosthetic dental appliances that replace your missing teeth. At Esparza Dentistry, we provide different denture options to suit your individual needs, goals, and budget.
Full Dentures
If you are missing all of your teeth in your upper or lower jaw (or both), full dentures can help. Also known as complete dentures, full dentures replace an entire arch of teeth. On a full denture, the artificial teeth are connected to a gum-colored base made of acrylic resin. These removable dentures sit on your gums and are supported by the roof of your mouth or lower jawbone. While a well-fitting full denture can be held in place by suction, some people also use a dental adhesive for extra stability, especially as the denture loosens over time.
Partial Dentures
Like full dentures, partial dentures are also removable. However, they are used when some healthy teeth remain in the jaw. A partial denture contains fake teeth on a resin base, much like a full denture, but also has a metal framework with claps that hook onto your remaining teeth for added support.
Both full and partial dentures must be taken out at night for cleaning. Sleeping without your dentures also gives your gums a break and prevents oral stomatitis, a yeast infection of the mouth that is common with traditional denture wearers.
If you are missing one or more teeth in a row and have healthy teeth surrounding the gap, you may be eligible for a fixed dental bridge. At your free consultation, we will discuss the replacement options available and help you choose the treatment that best suits you.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are a modern alternative to traditional full or partial dentures that come in removable, semi-removable, and non-removable options. As expert implantologists, we use revolutionary mini dental implants to stabilize loose dentures or secure full arch bridges.
Mini dental implants are small titanium posts that we screw into your jawbone. The implant emulates the strength of your natural tooth root to support a prosthetic device. Mini implants are uniquely versatile, supporting various dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or dentures. We can even retrofit your loose dentures to stabilize them with mini implants.
- Implant-retained dentures, called overdentures, are removable dentures that snap on and off mini implants. Implant-retained dentures typically need fewer implants than fixed implant dentures: we place at least six mini implants to retain an upper denture and at least four implants for a lower denture.
- Implant-supported dentures, called permanent dentures, are firmly secured to the implant and can only be removed by your dentist. Permanent implant dentures improve the stability of your restoration but typically require more implants for adequate support.
The Advantage of Implant Dentures
Mini dental implants provide the foundation for implant dentures. Half the size of bulky traditional dental implants, mini implants provide comparable strength with a more efficient design. While traditional implants have multiple components, a mini implant is a single piece with a connector that is built right onto the post. Owing to the small size and streamlined design of mini implants, they can be placed in a minimally invasive procedure that takes as little as one visit.
Many patients with full or partial dentures complain about the fit and feel of their dentures, especially over time. Implant dentures solve many of these common denture problems and come with additional benefits:
- Enhanced fit: Say goodbye to loose or shifting dentures that cause pain and embarrassment. Implant dentures are securely anchored to mini implants, eliminating the need for messy denture adhesives. The enhanced security and stabilization of implant dentures help them feel more like your natural teeth.
- Stronger bite:Â Dental implants are screwed directly into your jawbone, fusing to it permanently over time. When you bite, the durable titanium implants and jawbone absorb the bite force. As a result, you’ll be able to chew more confidently and eat your favorite foods once again.
- Combat bone loss: When you lose a tooth, your jawbone is no longer stimulated in that area, so it begins to shrink. Traditional dentures don’t stimulate the jawbone like natural teeth, so your gums and jaw begin to recede. This deterioration compromises the fit of your conventional denture and can also cause facial collapse, a condition that alters the look of your face and makes you appear older. Mini implants are prosthetic tooth roots that continue to stimulate the jawbone. For that reason, your implant dentures will preserve your facial appearance.
- Reduced risk of infection: The superior fit and structure of implant dentures make them easier to keep clean, lowering your risk of developing oral stomatitis, provided that you maintain good oral hygiene.
- Quick, long-lasting results:Â Mini dental implants can be placed in a single visit; often, we can mount your restoration immediately following implantation, providing you with a swift replacement for your missing teeth. While the procedure can be done quickly, your implant dentures will last years. Unlike traditional dentures, which need to be adjusted as they loosen, implant dentures maintain their integrity and function thanks to the durability of the implants and the stability they provide.
Regain Your Bite and Revamp Your Smile
From altered eating habits to trouble speaking and smiling, tooth loss can significantly change our lives. At Esparza Dentistry, we believe in offering superior dental solutions to restore the function of your bite while enhancing the aesthetics of your smile. If you have lost some or all of your teeth, we can help. At your complimentary consultation, we will help you determine which denture solution is right for you. Our experienced dentists will create a personalized treatment plan that considers the condition of your teeth, gums, and jaw as well as your dental goals, preferences, and budget.
Don’t wait to regain your bite and restore your smile. Contact us today to schedule your free denture consultation.
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