Dentures – Merrillville, IN

Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?

Dentures can restore your ability to chew a variety of foods comfortably, and they can help you communicate clearly with others. But are they the best option in your particular case? Most people with tooth loss can be considered potential candidates for dentures, but the only way to know for sure is to speak with a dental professional. The sooner you reach out to us to schedule an appointment, the sooner we can take a look at your mouth and determine whether dentures can help you reclaim a complete smile.

Effects of Missing Teeth

Teeth can potentially be lost for a number of reasons. Sometimes it can be the result of getting hit in the mouth. In other cases, it might be a consequence of gum disease or another oral health issue. Additionally, if your tooth has suffered from severe decay and can no longer be saved, it might have to be removed.

There are several consequences of losing teeth for any reason:

• The lack of support can lead to facial sagging, thus aging your appearance.
• It may be more difficult to chew your food, leading to a limited diet.
• Your speech may be affected depending on which teeth were lost.
• Your self-esteem might suffer, especially if the teeth in question were toward the front of your mouth, thus leaving gaps that other people can easily notice.

Your quality of life is likely to suffer if you ignore missing teeth for too long. It’s in your best interest to schedule a consultation with us as soon as you can so that we can help you narrow down the tooth replacement method that is right for you.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

We typically recommend dentures for patients who have lost multiple teeth. Note that you will need healthy gums and a sufficiently strong jawbone before you can receive this type of dental prosthesis. Also, you will need to be able to take good care of your mouth and your dentures in the long run.

When discussing your candidacy for dentures, we’ll naturally take the time to consider the type of denture that’s right for you. Have you only lost some of your teeth? Partial dentures can fill in the gaps. Are all of your teeth missing? They can all be replaced simultaneously with full dentures. Do you want a prosthesis supported by artificial tooth roots? Implant dentures could be worth considering. You can count on our team to recommend the type of denture that best fits your situation.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you’re unable to get dentures, you may instead be eligible for a different form of tooth replacement:

• Dental Bridges: A dental bridge is supported by two of your natural teeth and fills in the empty space between them. You may want to consider getting a bridge if a single tooth or multiple teeth in a row are missing.
• Dental Implants: Dental implants are surgically placed in your jaw so that they can support a lifelike prosthesis. One of the advantages of dental implants is that they are highly versatile and can be used to replace any number of teeth.

Types of Dentures

Did you know there are multiple types of denture prosthetics available? Depending on your needs and the information collected at your consultation, your treatment plan could look very different based on which option you choose. However, whatever form your denture treatment takes, United Dental Centers of Merrillville offers brilliant results.

Partial Dentures

If you’re just missing a few teeth in a row, or even in different parts of your mouth, a partial denture could offer the most conservative solution. These prosthetic teeth are attached to your remaining natural teeth via metal brackets or clips. This eliminates the large gaps that could cause alignment problems or issues with how your teeth fit together.

Full Dentures

A full denture is a great way to restore the functionality of your mouth if you’re missing a whole dental arch, or even all of your natural teeth. A full denture consists of an acrylic base that is custom fitted to your gums and durable porcelain teeth that are fabricated to provide the best comfort for everyday wear. They adhere to your gums through natural suction, forgoing the need for additional attachments.

Implant Dentures

If you’re worried about stability issues, an implant denture is the best choice. These are a more permanent solution, anchored in place by four to six dental implants. The nature of an implant denture also offers unique benefits like easier maintenance and jawbone stimulation that keeps your facial structure looking younger over time.

The Benefits of Dentures

Dentures offer several benefits that could vastly improve your quality of life:

• Comfortable construction keeps your gums from being agitated or aching.
• Restored bite functionality means you can eat more of the foods you love.
• Dentures offer a cost-effective way to restore many teeth at once.
• Your smile will look bright and natural.
• Implant dentures keep your jawbone from deteriorating, improving its vitality and strength.
• Dentures are easy to clean and maintain—just brush every surface and soak them overnight. With Implant dentures, you can take care of them like normal teeth!

A new denture is like a door to a better life. If you’re ready to see what’s on the other side, give our team at United Dental Centers of Merrillville a call to schedule your denture consultation!