Dentures – Massapequa Park, NY
Say “Goodbye” to the Gaps in Your Smile!
Do you suffer from extensive tooth loss? You’re not alone. According to the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), roughly 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and 40 million are missing all of their teeth. If you’re a part of that statistic, you know firsthand just how much tooth loss can affect your quality of life. Luckily, you don’t have to live that way forever. At South Shore Dental Care, we offer dentures to help rebuild your smile and restore your confidence. If you’d like to learn more about this tooth-replacement solution, continue reading or schedule a consultation with our team today!
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Almost anyone who is missing one or more teeth can be an excellent candidate for dentures, and modern models are more lifelike and comfortable than ever before. During your consultation with one of our doctors, they’ll be able to tell you if you qualify for this treatment after a thorough oral examination. If you’re not quite ready to receive dentures yet, you may be able to become one after having treatments to restore the health of your gums and bone structure.
Effects of Missing Teeth
The American College of Prosthodontists holds that the most common causes of missing teeth are tooth decay, gum disease, and oral injuries. Tooth loss can lead to a range of negative consequences such as facial sagging, difficulty eating, trouble with speaking, and diminished self-esteem. Since it can be hard to eat many types of food after tooth loss, many people with missing teeth deal with malnourishment. Restoring your smile with dentures can address all of these issues by replacing lost teeth and recovering much of your chewing ability, allowing you to eat a more nutritious diet that helps you stay healthy.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Dentures can be an excellent treatment option for people with missing teeth, sensitive teeth, or extensive decay as long as they have sufficiently healthy gum tissue and jawbones. After receiving dentures, a patient must commit to the proper care and maintenance measures to keep their mouth healthy and their appliance in great shape.
The type of denture you receive depends on how many teeth you are missing. Full dentures are for people who have lost all or many of their teeth while partial dentures can treat those who are only missing one or a few. While traditional dentures are held in place by suction or adhesive, implant dentures are anchored to dental implants placed directly in the jaw, giving them the greatest stability and allowing them to exert the most chewing force.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Since not everyone is a good candidate for dentures, there are several other tooth replacement options available. Our office offers dental implant treatments that replace lost teeth with lifelike dental crowns supported by titanium rods placed directly into the jawbone. Once they fuse with the surrounding bone structure through the natural process of osseointegration, they can function exactly like and require the same oral hygiene regimen as real teeth. Patients must have healthy gums and jawbones to receive this treatment, and while dental implants are more costly than dentures, they can last for a lifetime or more with excellent care.
Types of Dentures
Your first step on your journey towards a fully rebuilt smile is a consultation with our team at South Shore Dental Care. We’ll assess your goals and needs to narrow down the right type of denture for your smile. Based on our findings, we’ll recommend one of the following options:
Partial Dentures
If you’re only missing a few teeth, partial dentures may be the ideal option for you. They fit between the teeth, seamlessly closing gaps throughout your smile. The gum-colored base and artificial teeth are held in place using small metal clasps that loop around the neighboring teeth.
Full Dentures
For patients missing an entire row of teeth, full dentures are an excellent solution to consider. They also have a discreet, gum-colored base and lifelike artificial teeth like partials. However, full dentures sit on top of the gums and are held in place using natural suction or a small amount of denture adhesive.
Implant Dentures
Do you want unmatched stability and durability? You might want to consider getting implant-retained dentures. A full or partial denture is attached to a number of dental implants that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Because the titanium posts are placed in the jawbone, they stimulate it to prevent its deterioration. Additionally, you can expect to enjoy your new smile for several decades with proper care and maintenance!
The Benefits of Dentures
Patients who choose to get dentures in Massapequa Park can expect to reap numerous benefits, including:
- Regained ability to eat a nutritious diet
- Natural-looking results
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Affordable and trusted method of tooth replacement
- Improved self-confidence
- Lifespan that extends well over a decade with proper care and maintenance