Missing teeth can be an enormous impediment to how a person lives his or her life. Gum disease, oral hygiene problems, tooth decay, malnutrition, and misfortune are just a few of the possibilities that can lead to missing teeth. Springfield cosmetic dentistry expert Dr. David Peck knows patients have experienced these problems, among others, and very often find themselves to be good candidates for dentures. Ideal candidates have lost some or all of their teeth on either their mandibular arch (lower jaw) and/or their matillary arch (upper jaw).
Patients that have healthy gums are typically good candidates for partial or complete dentures. Partial dentures fit in between remaining teeth to create aesthetic consistency and improve function. In contrast, complete dentures are specifically tailored to a person’s mouth and gum structure. In most cases, a complete set of dentures is custom fabricated after any remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed. If this is the case, tissue healing may take up to several months, during which time the patient may be without teeth. Patients can get a set of immediate dentures made so that he or she does not have to go without teeth for such a long period of time. However, the set of immediate dentures must eventually be relined because the bone that supports the teeth will change shape during the healing period.
Patients who are young and whose jawbones have not fully developed are not ideal candidates for dentures, nor are patients who chronically grind their teeth. Depending on the amount of teeth the patient is missing and the severity of the damage to the mouth or gums, other restorative treatments like bridges or fillings may be viable options.
Springfield dental implants expert Dr. David Peck can answer your questions and concerns about this procedure. Contact our practice for more information today.