Dentures Santa Maria, CA
Complete dentures are a dental prosthetic for patients who have lost all their teeth on the upper or lower arch or both. Custom-fitted dentures allow patients who have lost teeth the chance to reclaim their smile and quality of life through better dental function.
What Are Complete Dentures from Santa Barbara Family Dentistry?
Dentures have a strong base of acrylic resin and acrylic or porcelain teeth. The base is pink to match the color of healthy gum tissue, while the teeth are white.
Complete dentures are secured into place using natural suction. Over time, some of the natural suction may be lost due to bone density loss. When this happens, the patient can use denture adhesive to keep the denture in place. Eventually, the denture will need to be relined for a better fit and sometimes even replaced entirely.
What Are Removable Partial Dentures in Santa Maria?
Partial dentures are used to replace a single or multiple missing teeth. Unlike a dental bridge, partial dentures are not a fixed/permanent prostheses. They are removable, making them easy to clean and repair.
Removable partial dentures look similar to complete dentures. They have a pink acrylic base and at least one acrylic or porcelain tooth attached. Sometimes, partial dentures have metal frameworks in the base to enhance their strength and durability.
Partial dentures have clasps that hug the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth, which help stabilize the denture and minimize flexing from bite pressure.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures are complete or partial dentures that fit over implants. Two to eight implants are surgically placed into the jawbone. After healing and integration time, attachments are added to the implants and the denture’s base. When inserting the denture, the patient can push the denture down onto the implants and snap them into place.
Your dentist may recommend individual snap or ball attachments depending on your needs. For added strength and durability, your dentist might connect the dentures with a metal bar, which the denture clips onto securely.
The benefits of investing in implant-supported dentures are:
It’s a permanent solution
They’re easy to clean
There’s less chance of gum sores due to ill-fitting dentures
Dentures don’t require a reline or denture adhesive
The jawbone maintains its density
You’ll feel more secure and comfortable when you eat and speak
There are no dietary restrictions
What Is the Process for Getting Complete Dentures?
When you’re ready to get dentures in Santa Maria, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental laboratory. A highly trained lab technician will create custom dentures that match the shade of your natural teeth and fit like a glove. With modern technology, your dentist and lab tech can work together to create dentures that look just like your natural teeth.
Once your dentist receives your dentures, they’ll let you try them in and make sure they’re comfortable. Sometimes, adjusting is needed to get the fit just right.
Do I Really Need a Denture?
Some patients opt not to get a partial or complete dentures in Santa Maria. One reason is that they have a hard time getting used to the dentures, which can initially feel bulky and perhaps a bit uncomfortable. Other patients feel they don’t need to replace a single missing tooth.
Restoring missing teeth is actually crucial to your oral health and overall health. Dentures that fit well allow you to eat a variety of foods, thereby increasing your nutrient intake. And when you can absorb more nutrients, you’ll feel better, have more energy, and have a more robust immune system.
Partial dentures from a Santa Maria dentist can help protect your remaining teeth. They prevent teeth shifting and excess tension on the jaw joints and teeth. Therefore, you reduce the risk of chronic pain and faster-than-normal wear and tear on your teeth.
Another reason to invest in dentures is that they can help you get your smile back. Plus, dentures help fill out your face and maintain your youthful appearance.
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