Dentures Abilene

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?

Whether you're missing two teeth or an entire arch, there's a good chance you could be a candidate for dentures. This versatile restoration has helped adults of all ages reclaim their smiles, their confidence, and their quality of life. That said, the best way to know whether or not you’re a candidate is to schedule a consultation with our team at 325 Dentistry. We'll evaluate your oral health, explore your options, and see if it's the best solution for your missing teeth.

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Effects of Missing Teeth

Missing teeth are far more common than most people realize. In fact, the American Dental Association estimates that around 1 in 4 adults in the United States is missing at least one permanent tooth, and roughly 1 in 6 adults over the age of 65 are completely without teeth.

The causes range from tooth decay and gum disease to traumatic injuries, but the consequences tend to be the same. Patients with missing teeth often struggle with everyday activities like eating and speaking clearly, and many report a noticeable drop in self-esteem.

Beyond the visible gap, missing teeth can also cause bite misalignment, jawbone deterioration, and, given enough time, a sunken appearance. Addressing tooth loss sooner rather than later helps prevent these complications from getting more serious and more expensive to fix.

What Are the Qualities of a Great Candidate for Dentures?

Almost anyone missing teeth can be a candidate for dentures, but certain patients tend to benefit the most. Ideal candidates typically:

• Commit to Good Maintenance: Dentures need to be cleaned daily, and you’ll still need to keep up with regular checkups to ensure a proper fit over time.
• Are Concerned with Cost: Dentures are one of the most budget-friendly tooth-replacement options available.
• Have Adequate Jawbone Support: There must be enough bone structure in your jaw to support your prosthetic, so it stays stable and comfortable.
• Are Free from Gum Disease: Gum disease must be treated before dentures can be placed to ensure a healthy foundation.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If dentures aren't the right direction for your smile, you still have options at 325 Dentistry. Two of the most popular alternatives include:

• Dental Bridges: A bridge uses crowns placed on the teeth beside a gap to anchor a row of lifelike replacement teeth called pontics. It's a fixed, stable solution for patients missing one or several consecutive teeth.
• Dental Implants: Considered the gold standard of tooth replacement, implants use small titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone to support a crown, bridge, or denture. They look and feel like natural teeth, and with proper care, they can sometimes last a lifetime.

Not sure which treatment is right for you? Our team is happy to walk you through every option and help you choose the one that best fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

Types of Dentures

Here’s more about the options we might recommend for addressing your tooth loss:

Partial Dentures

For patients who are missing multiple teeth throughout the mouth, partial dentures are often suggested. These consist of a gum-colored base combined with replacement prosthetic teeth, and they’re designed to fit around your remaining natural teeth with the assistance of anchoring clasps. They can be removed, making them very easy to clean and properly care for.

Full Dentures

Full dentures are ideal for patients who are missing one or both dental arches. Like partials, they also utilize a discreet, gum-colored base with a beautiful row of lifelike prosthetic teeth. However, they rely on a combination of muscle control, suction, and adhesives to remain in place. This solution can improve your bite power and overall quality of life considerably.

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures combine all of the perks of full dentures with the ingenuity of dental implants. The implant posts are embedded into the jawbone, which provides an unwavering foundation for the future customized denture to be attached. This means that eating, speaking, and smiling will feel like a breeze!

The Benefits of Dentures

Dentures have helped countless patients over the last several decades. If you are currently exploring your tooth-replacement options and trying to decide which one is best for you, then keep reading to learn a few benefits that come with this tried-and-true solution.

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Restored Bite Force

In the weeks, months, and years following tooth loss, you’ve likely been stuck eating applesauce, plain yogurt, oatmeal, and other extremely soft foods. Not only can this be quite boring, but it also makes it difficult to get the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs. Fortunately, dentures can restore some of the strength of your bite, allowing you to eat a more varied, well-balanced diet.

Natural Look and Feel

Oftentimes, patients hear “dentures” and think of the restorations that their grandparents or great-grandparents had. However, both dentistry and technology in general have advanced significantly since then. Not only that, but modern dentures are fully customized for your mouth. As a result, they’ll look natural and feel comfortable.

Easy Maintenance

As you may already know, dentures can last for 7+ years with proper maintenance. You don’t need any expensive cleaning products to keep them in pristine condition, either! Just use a damp, soft-bristle toothbrush and mild dishwashing liquid to remove food particles and plaque from the surface after each meal. Then, before you go to sleep, place them in a glass filled with water or a dentist-approved cleanser.

Important reminder: Even if your smile is comprised entirely of dentures, you need to schedule routine dental checkups and cleanings at our office. That way, we can periodically look for oral cancer, gum disease, and other common health concerns.

Improved Self-Esteem

Like many other patients, you may have trouble smiling confidently with noticeable gaps in your smile. The good news is that dentures are custom-made to suit your unique face shape, dental needs, and aesthetic goals. Plus, they prevent a sunken-in, hollow appearance, creating a more youthful look in the process.

Clearer Enunciation

In order to form words, your tongue makes a series of distinct movements against the back of your teeth. That’s why patients who experience tooth loss usually struggle to enunciate clearly. Fortunately, partial dentures can fill the gaps in your mouth. So, after the initial adjustment period, your usual speaking pattern will be restored.

Preserves Oral Health

Have you heard of dental drift? If not, it’s when the teeth surrounding the gap begin to drift out of place, negatively impacting the alignment of a patient’s bite in the process. With partial dentures, we can fill the gaps in your mouth. In addition to helping prevent dental drift, this helps preserve more of your natural smile.