Dr. Joseph A. Catanzano III, DDS, provides patients with full and partial dentures in Washington, D.C. Dentures are a restorative dentistry treatment option for patients with full arches of missing or lost teeth. Patients who have multiple consecutive missing teeth benefit from receiving partial dentures. Learn the benefits of receiving dentures and the types of dentures patients can receive below.
Benefits of Dentures
Dentures offer many benefits to patients for long-term oral health and overall wellness. A new smile can give you back your confidence and quality of life. Dentures can offer:
- Long term durability
- Improve biting and chewing ability
- Prevents facial sagging
- Improves speech
- Reduces the risk of gum disease
If the gaps left by multiple missing teeth are not filled, several problems may arise, including:
- Shifting teeth
- Receding gums
- Facial sagging
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Misaligned bite
- Bone loss
Call Foxhall Smiles at 202-315-2188 if you have noticed any of these problems. We will work with you to find a solution that suits your budget and oral health goals.
Receiving Treatment with Dentures
Patients can receive traditional fixed full dentures or partial removable dentures. Strategically placed dental implants support fixed dentures, while a complete denture is removable and held into place by surrounding soft tissue, jaw bone, and adhesive. Partials are ideal for patients missing several teeth and cost less than full dentures. However, a denture is more suitable for patients missing most natural teeth.
Partial dentures are a removable type that can attach a dental bridge to an acrylic metal frame. This frame has clasps that secure onto the remaining teeth. Fixed dental restorations offer a more stable and longer-lasting solution for those with missing teeth.
Patients with a healthy jaw bone are good candidates for implant-secured dentures. Dental implants consist of titanium posts inserted into the jaw bone and covered with dental crowns. The supporting bar that makes up the denture is secured using this implant.
Removable Vs. Implant-Secured Dentures
Whenever possible, we recommend implant-secured dentures to our patients. Implants bring various benefits that no other restoration solution can match.
Removable Dentures
Removable dentures are probably what you think of when you think of dentures. They require adhesive and gum suction to stay in your mouth. Adhesive can be messy, and you need to clean it off properly every night to ensure your dentures function fully. You never get full chewing function back with removable dentures. On average, you get about 40% of your mouth function.
Because they rely on adhesive, removable dentures often slip when you’re trying to eat or speak. They can even fall out, depending on the circumstances. This gives patients anxiety when they’re in social settings. Instead of being able to be comfortable in the moment, they’re worried about their dentures staying in.
They require an extensive maintenance routine to ensure they’re cared for properly. You need to take them out overnight so that you don’t get sores on your gums from overuse. Each night, you have to use a special brush to clean all the adhesive off your dentures. You need to soak them every night as well. Special denture soaks keep the dentures hydrated so they don’t become dry and crack. They also sterilize the dentures, providing a deeper clean than the nightly scrub.
However, removable dentures cost less than implant-secured ones. They’re less invasive and don’t require a surgical component. Because of this, you can also get your final restoration quicker than you would with implant-supported dentures.
You do usually incur future costs with removable dentures, though. Because the jawbone continues to deteriorate, the fit of the dentures changes over time. This lessens their effectiveness, as it becomes harder to suction to the gums. In addition to the costs of the proper maintenance tools, you often have to reline or replace the dentures at least once in the future.
Implant-Secured Dentures
Implant-secured dentures are a permanent fixture in your mouth. Instead of using suction to stay in, the denture snaps into fixtures in your mouth. As few as four implants anchor the full arch of a denture. There’s no need for messy adhesives; you don’t have to worry about the extensive maintenance plan every night. You just brush your teeth normally and continue coming to the office for regular checkups.
Implants are the only solution that stops jawbone degeneration. The posts encourage jawbone regeneration because they fuse with the bone structure. Because your jawbone doesn’t deteriorate, you don’t have a problem with the denture fit changing over time. You don’t need to reline or replace your dentures in the future. Though implant-secured dentures are more expensive upfront, there aren’t unexpected costs over time.
They’re more comfortable in your mouth and look and feel more like normal teeth. Instead of only around 40% of your oral function returning, it’s closer to 100%. You don’t have to eliminate any foods from your diet because you can break them down with implant-secured dentures.
However, not every patient is eligible for dental implants. You need enough healthy bone structure to support them and have good overall health to undergo the surgical procedure. The surgery is invasive, and it does take longer to get your final restoration because it takes time for the bone to heal.
Schedule a Dental Exam and Denture Consultation
Do you think you would benefit from receiving a denture? Call Foxhall Smiles in Washington, D.C. at 202-315-2188 for restorative care. On our website, you can request a dental exam with Dr. Catanzano and his dental team.