Should you have lost some or all of your natural teeth and you experience difficulties while eating and speaking, you might be a good candidate for dentures. Modern dentistry has elaborated on dentures that look just like natural teeth and can really improve the quality of your life.

Even though, you might think that dentures are not popular anymore, statistics show that you are wrong. About 20 million women in America wear full or partial dentures. In addition, the number of US adults needing dentures is projected to increase from 33 million to 37.9 million by 2020, according to research published in The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.

Should you consider yourself a candidate for dentures, here are a few things you should know.

What are Dentures?

Dentures are prosthetic devices, used to replace missing teeth. They are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity.

According to the way they are fitted in the patient’s mouth, dentures could be of several types:

• Fixed partial dentures – Also known as permanent bridges, these dentures are made from crowns that are fitted on natural teeth
• Removable partial dentures – Ideal for patients missing some but not all teeth
• Complete or full dentures – Ideal for patients who are missing all their teeth in the upper and lower jaw
• Implant supported dentures – A set of dentures that are stabilized by dental implants

What is the process of making dentures?

Denture development can take up to several appointments. Once your Burien dentist determines what type of appliance is best for you, the process goes like this:

1. Your Burien dentist is going to take series of impressions of your jaw, as well as measurements of how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them.
2. Afterwards, a model of your dentures will be created. You will try on this model several times to be sure it fits before the final denture is cast.
3. When you and your Burien dentist are happy with the fit and appearance, the final denture will be cast.

1. Your Burien dentist will insert your dentures and adjust as necessary

How to take care of your Dentures?

With proper care dentures can last for several years. Here are some tips for better care of your dentures:

• Use a special brush, designed for dentures to clean them
• Don’t expose dentures to hot water
• Store dentures in a denture-cleaning solution overnight
• Kill bacteria with an effervescent cleansing tablet

How can you benefits from dentures?

• Dentures can restore your ability to eat and speak properly
• Dentures prevent facial muscles from sagging
• Dentures can last for several years with proper care
• Modern dentures look very natural and can increases your self-confidence

Modern dentures can improve your quality of life. To achieve best results, however, be sure to consult a real dental professional, who will guide you in the process of choosing the best solution for your individual needs. If you live or work in Burien, WA, you can rely on Dr. Lee from Burien Family Dental Care, who will help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.

Are there alternatives to Dentures?

Even though, dentures are a practical and viable solution for replacing missing teeth, you could enjoy even better results with a tooth replacement procedure such as dental implants or dental bridges. Dental implants are permanently fused to the jawbone and are designed to function just like your real teeth. They also stimulate the jawbone which can prevent bone loss that many denture wearers experience.