Dentures and other dental prosthesis options are appliances that will replace a missing tooth or cover up any tooth irregularities. These prostheses also include implants, crowns, bridges and veneers. Some of them are removable while others stay permanently in your mouth. Learn more about what these prostheses are and when they might work for your smile.
Understanding dentures and other dental prosthesis options
The different types of dental prostheses might seem overwhelming to a person at first. But it can be easy to differentiate between the appliances once a dentist explains them. With the right information, patients can figure out which one is right for them.
The different types of dental prostheses
Dentures are artificial teeth that sit on a base to replace either all or some of a person’s missing teeth. There is an upper and lower section of dentures. Sometimes, implants can support dentures. Implants are titanium posts inserted into the jaw to replace the root of a tooth. Just like implants can hold dentures, they can also support crowns.
Crowns are caps for a person’s teeth that cover either a single damaged tooth or form part of a bridge of teeth. Finally, veneers are thin shells that a dentist places on the front of the teeth to provide a more pleasing appearance. Veneers can cover stains, chips or other irregularities.
Which dental prosthesis is the right one?
When recommending a prosthesis for a patient, a dentist will consider several factors. These factors can include the number of missing teeth, the condition of any remaining teeth and the thickness of the patient’s jawbone. If a patient is only missing one or two teeth and the remaining natural teeth are healthy, a partial denture or a bridge may be an effective solution. When a patient only has a few natural teeth that are not in good condition, a dentist may recommend dentures or implants. If the jawbone is thin, the dentist may have to perform a bone graft to support the patient’s implant fixture.
Ask the dentist for advice
A dentist can offer a patient advice when choosing a dental prosthesis. It is important for the patient to keep appearance, length of treatment and budget in mind. Implants are natural-looking teeth replacement but can take up to six months to fully place and heal. Bridges can also replace a patient’s missing teeth and typically only need two appointments.
Dentures are also a good option for getting artificial teeth. Yet, the patient must wait a few months for their mouths to heal and adjust. Then the dentist can place the permanent restoration. For veneers, the patient can choose between porcelain and composite. Porcelain veneers can last longer but typically cost more.
Making the right decision
Are you trying to cover up stains on your teeth with veneers or replace all your teeth with a permanent set of dentures? Whichever prosthesis you want, it is important that you consider all of your options. You should understand the treatment time and recovery process. Learning more about each option can help you make the right decision. Talk to a dentist about your smile needs.
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