If you’ve lost several teeth and want to restore a beautiful, natural-looking smile, you may be the perfect candidate for removable dentures. When you undergo a customized treatment plan at one of our North Carolina offices and are fitted for dentures, you’ll get to experience all the benefits associated with these removable appliances so that you can look and feel your best.
The Pros and Cons of Removable Dentures in North Carolina
There are two primary types of dentures: full dentures and partial dentures. A full set of dentures includes a full set of teeth and is ideal for patients who have lost a significant number of teeth and have had the rest removed. Partial dentures are smaller and are designed to fill in gaps in the upper or lower part of the mouth and fit in between the natural teeth for a seamless and natural look and feel.
Whatever type of dentures you qualify for, you’ll need to know what to expect so you have realistic expectations about the treatment process. When you understand the benefits and challenges associated with dentures, you’ll be fully prepared to walk into this process and won’t face any surprises during the treatment or adjustment period.
The Pros
Dentures will change everything if you’ve been living with missing teeth that have affected your ability to chew or talk or even your confidence in your appearance. There are so many benefits to choosing dentures. When you undergo treatment at one of our Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry locations, Dr. Smith will design the perfect treatment plan for you and ensure that your dentures look and feel natural and meet all your needs.
Your Dentures Will Be Customized To Fit Your Mouth
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to designing customized dentures. Each set is designed to fit each patient’s mouth and enhance their smile. For that reason, you can rest assured that once Dr. Smith confirms that you’re a good candidate for dentures, he’ll customize your dentures for your needs.
He will begin by making an impression of your mouth and help you choose the right look for your dentures. You’ll be able to customize different aspects of your dentures’ appearance, including the size, color, and shape of the artificial teeth. Once they’re custom-made and returned from the lab, you can try them on to ensure an excellent fit, and Dr. Smith can make adjustments as needed.
You’ll Have Perfect, Beautiful Teeth
If you weren’t born with straight, aesthetically pleasing teeth and need to get dentures because of full or partial tooth loss, you’ll have the opportunity to finally achieve beautiful and perfect teeth. Dentures are designed to look natural but will also improve your smile and overall appearance. After getting dentures, you’ll have straight, white, proportional teeth that will make you feel more confident when eating, talking, and smiling.
You’ll Have a Choice of Full or Partial Dentures
When most people think of dentures, they think of the full set of teeth, but dentures are also available in a partial version. Partial dentures are designed to fill in gaps where patients have lost teeth in the upper or lower area of the mouth. They’re custom-made to fit in between these gaps to ensure a natural look and feel. They are also designed to match your natural teeth and blend seamlessly. These dentures can last up to 15 years.
Full dentures, or complete dentures, are ideal for patients who have lost a significant number of teeth or have had them removed. These dentures contain a complete set of artificial teeth in a base shaped like natural gums. Full dentures can last anywhere from five to ten years. When you come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Smith will evaluate your mouth and gums and discuss your concerns to determine whether you will benefit from full or partial dentures.
Dentures Improve Speech and Chewing
Another benefit that patients in North Carolina will experience once they get dentures is improved speech and chewing abilities. Missing teeth change your speech and can cause pain or difficulty chewing. Once you get your customized dentures, you can expect fully restored speech, an improved ability to chew, and enhanced comfort while doing so.
The Cons
The cons of removable dentures aren’t necessarily disadvantages but factors that you’ll need to know and be aware of in advance to have realistic expectations about the entire process. When you know what to expect and what aspects of dentures may be potential inconveniences, you’ll feel more confident getting dentures and going through the initial adjustment period.
There’s an Initial Adjustment Period
After you get your dentures, there will be an initial adjustment period during which your body will need to get used to wearing this dental appliance daily. It will take a few weeks for your muscles and tongue to adjust to dentures, and you may also experience some mild soreness or excess saliva production as your mouth adjusts to a new normal.
You’ll Need To Avoid Certain Foods
There are certain foods that you’ll need to avoid while wearing dentures. During the adjustment period, you’ll need to cut food into smaller pieces and try to eat softer food to get used to eating with dentures.
Over time, your muscles and tongue will adjust to this dental appliance, and you’ll be able to resume eating normally. However, you must avoid extremely hard foods, sticky foods, chewing gum, and anything that could stain or damage your dentures. Dr. Smith will provide you with a complete list of foods to avoid so that you can take care of your dentures and modify your diet to ensure their longevity.
You’ll Need To Clean Your Dentures Regularly
While dentures are relatively low-maintenance dental appliances, they do require regular cleaning. You’ll need to wear your dentures for most of the day, rinse them after eating, and remove them for cleaning each night before bed. You won’t wear them while sleeping to give your mouth a break, but you will insert them upon waking.
You’ll need to rinse them with water and brush them with the soft toothbrush and denture cleaning solution to remove bacteria and ensure that they last for the longest amount of time.
They Won’t Last Forever
Once you get dentures, with regular care and proper cleaning, they’ll last you for years. However, they won’t last forever, and at some point, you’ll need to replace them with a new set. The denture replacement process will be nearly identical to the initial customization appointment.
Partial dentures tend to last longer than full dentures and must only be replaced approximately every 15 years. Full dentures can last anywhere from five to ten years. However, if you damage your dentures by eating the wrong foods or because of other factors, you must also get them replaced.
If you’re interested in learning more about removable dentures and finding out if they’re right for you, we can help. At your initial consultation at one of our North Carolina offices, we can discuss your concerns and answer all your questions. Contact one of the Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offices in Sneads Ferry, Goldsboro, Hampstead, Jacksonville, Wilmington, Porters Neck, Surf City, and New Bern, NC, to schedule your appointment.