Dentures – Massapequa Park, NY

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.

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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 to both their smiles and overall well-being. These custom prosthetics are designed to complete a person’s bite, but this is far from the only advantage to addressing tooth loss. Here are some of the things you can enjoy with personalized dentures.

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Psychological Benefits

Those who are struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss can often experience difficulties with both their oral health as well as their emotional well-being. Missing one or several teeth can lead to feelings of sorrow and depression, and you might be less likely to want to engage in social activities. However, with dentures, you can show off a full smile and go back to enjoying many of the privileges of having a complete bite. You might also have significantly reduced anxiety about your speech articulation, appearance, chewing ability, and more.

Clearer Enunciation

People typically press their tongues and lips against their teeth to create the particular sounds needed for certain words and phrases. If you’re struggling with tooth loss, you might find it more challenging to enunciate your sentences in the long run. By getting dentures, you’ll be able to regain the necessary structure for clearer and more comfortable speech.

Improves Nutrition

While there are plenty of foods that are soft and don’t require much chewing, many nutrient-rich options can be tougher in texture. Without all of your pearly whites, it can be quite difficult to chew effectively and comfortably. In some cases, people can end up experiencing issues like indigestion and malnutrition due to a weaker bite. Dentures can provide the strength needed to chew on your food and expand your dietary choices.

Preserves Oral Health

Oftentimes, tooth loss can lead to complications like dental shifting and jawbone deterioration, as the bone tissue won’t have stimulation from tooth roots to remain healthy and strong. Any remaining healthy teeth can also start to move out of place to fill the gap in your smile. By wearing dentures, you can gain a placeholder to help prevent dental shifting. Your prosthetics can also share the weight of chewing, preventing wear and tear on the rest of your smile.

Expands Opportunities

Your smile is incredibly important when it comes to making great first impressions. Whether you’re preparing for a job interview or getting ready to meet someone on a date, being able to show off a complete smile can truly be a game-changer. Not only will you feel more confident in your appearance, but others might perceive you as more competent, engaging, and welcoming, which can help expand your opportunities in both your personal and professional life.