Dentures Tallahassee

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?

Most patients who are either missing all or most of their teeth along an arch are good candidates for dentures in Tallahassee. It’s also important to have healthy gums as well, as the jawbone and gumline are the primary support system for dentures. However, the only way to learn whether dentures are right for you is to schedule a consultation with our team at Boyd & Walther Tallahassee Dental Associates so we can examine your mouth and discuss your goals.

Types of Dentures

Depending on your budget, tooth loss situation, smile goals, and ideal timeline for restoring your smile, our team may recommend one of the following types of dentures to you.

Partial Dentures

A partial denture is a tooth replacement prosthetic that fills in gaps between missing teeth while maintaining healthy tooth structure. These prosthetics are crafted by using a gum-colored base to fit snuggly between remaining teeth. The replacement teeth are attached to the base material, and the entire prosthetic is held in place with clasps attached to surrounding healthy tooth structures.

Full Dentures

A full denture is a prosthetic used to replace an entire row of missing teeth. A gum-colored base is shaped to fit against the gum line and provide support for the full row of replacement teeth. When they are properly fitted, full dentures sit firmly against the gum tissue, creating suction that holds them in place. In some cases, patients will also use a small amount of denture adhesive to increase the stability of their denture.

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures offer a number of unique benefits that make them one of the most popular treatment options for restoring full smiles. Instead of resting atop the gumline, your dentures will be secured to anywhere between four and eight dental implants that are surgically inserted below the gumline and into the jawbone. As such, they provide an unwavering foundation.

The Benefits of Dentures

If you are currently in the process of deciding which tooth-replacement solution is right for you, you might find it helpful to learn about the benefits that come with dentures. Rest assured, we will discuss them during your consultation so you can confidently decide if they are the ideal solution for you. However, if you want to learn more leading up to your visit, you can read on, too!

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Boosts Self-Esteem

Oftentimes, patients hear “dentures” and immediately think of the ones that their grandparents or great-grandparents wore. However, dentistry and technology have advanced significantly over the years. Now, we can customize everything from the shape of the teeth to the color of the base, which ensures that yours looks and feels extremely lifelike. All that to say, you don’t have to worry – no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile.

Clearer Communication

Like many other patients, you may have been surprised by how much your speaking patterns changed following tooth loss. Fortunately, dentures can fill the gaps in your smile or give you a completely new row of teeth, allowing you to enunciate clearly. In fact, once you’ve made it through the initial adjustment period, you’ll sound like your usual self again!

Prevents Dental Drift

Dental drift is when the teeth surrounding the gap move into the newly open space. Although this might seem relatively minor, it can actually lead to several issues, including premature wear and tear. That’s why we strongly advise against taking the “wait and see” approach! Instead, explore your treatment options, like dentures. That way, our Tallahassee dental team can enhance the appearance of your smile and preserve the alignment of your bite.

Improves Nutrition

Usually, patients who are struggling with tooth loss have one choice: to eat plain yogurt, applesauce, pudding, and other extremely soft foods on repeat. Not only can this get boring quickly, but it can also make it difficult to incorporate all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that you need into your diet. Fortunately, dentures can restore some of the strength of your bite and, in the process, improve your nutrition.

Maintains a Youthful Appearance

Simply put, tooth loss can make you appear older than you are. With dentures, we can give you a complete, confident smile. Plus, the size, shape, and shade of each replacement tooth will be customized to your unique face shape, dental needs, and aesthetic goals. That way, you can look and feel your best, whether you’re going on a first date, catching up with old friends, or meeting an important client.

Does it sound like dentures may be the ideal solution for you? If so, schedule a consultation with our Tallahassee dental team!

Caring for Your Dentures

Caring for a partial or full denture is relatively simple. Before you go to bed at night, you should remove your denture and carefully brush it using a soft bristled toothbrush or denture brush to remove food particles and plaque buildup. You should then store the denture in cool water or cleaning solution overnight.

If you have any healthy teeth remaining, you should continue brushing and flossing them as usual. Even if you are fully edentulous (without teeth), you should clean your gums gently by brushing or using an antimicrobial mouth rinse. In the mornings, you should follow the same treatment process for any remaining teeth and your gum tissue. Then, remove your denture from the water or cleaning solution, rinse the denture with cool water, and replace it.

Every six months, you will need to visit our dental office for a dental exam and cleaning. During these visits, we can often make small adjustments to help you maintain the best possible fit and function throughout the life of your denture.