You may be without your natural teeth for a variety of reasons. For example, the dentist may have extracted all your teeth due to disease, or trauma to your mouth caused the tooth loss. Whatever the reason, it’s important to look into full mouth tooth replacement as soon as possible. If you no longer have any remaining natural teeth, Dr. Andrew Nguyen at Blue Wave Smiles would fabricate a full set of dentures. He can also provide you with partial dentures if you’re missing only some teeth.
Restoring your missing teeth with dentures helps to improve your smile and appearance. However, that’s far from the only reason for doing so. Below we explore several benefits of dentures to consider.
Why Choose Dentures as a Restoration for Missing Teeth
You have a few options to consider when it comes to replacing missing teeth, including bridges and implants. We are happy to discuss all options when you come in for your initial consultation. These are just some of the benefits of choosing dentures for tooth replacement:
- Greater confidence when you smile
- Makes it less likely you will develop a condition known as TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder
- Increases bite strength, which in turn will make it easier to chew and digest your food
- Prevents your face from sagging as it would with no teeth in place
- If you receive partial dentures, it helps to protect the remaining teeth and keep them in alignment by not allowing them to naturally drift towards the open spot
- Allows you to articulate speech sounds more accurately to improve the clarity.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for full or partial dentures. Dr. Nguyen will evaluate your individual factors and let you know if dentures are something you should pursue.
What to Expect When You Get Dentures at Blue Wave Smiles
Think of getting dentures as an investment that will take some time to complete. That means committing to several appointments to complete the process. During the first appointment, Dr. Nguyen will take an impression of your remaining teeth and your gums. He will also take several X-rays of the area surrounding the missing teeth. The data from the X-rays and impressions allow Dr. Nguyen to plan a specific course of treatment for you. To obtain these results, he sends the dental impressions to our laboratory for casting and examines the X-rays carefully.
A complete set of upper dentures requires strong suctioning power from the roof of your mouth. This secures the dentures and keeps them from sliding out of your mouth. The muscles in your cheeks, lips, and tongue help to secure the lower dentures. Each set of complete or partial dentures is removable. You should plan to soak them overnight to remove bacteria and keep them clean.
Remember that it can take awhile to get used to your new dentures. We hope you remind yourself of this and don’t become discouraged if they don’t feel natural at first. This is normal and not a good reason to keep your dentures out of your mouth. If you do that, it will just take longer to become accustomed to them. Dr. Nguyen and his staff will share several tips to help you acclimate to wearing the dentures as well as how to take care of them.
How to Make Your Dentures Last as Long as Possible
To keep your dentures clean, you first need to buy cleaning tablets. Each night, remove one from the package and drop it into a cup of water. Allow several seconds for the tablet to dissolve and then gently place your dentures inside of the cup. They should soak overnight. It’s also important to rinse and brush your dentures every day the same way you would with your natural teeth.
Dentures last an average of five years before needing repair or replacement. This is due to your gums and bones naturally changing over the years. These changes affect the fit of the dentures, which ultimately affects their functionality. However, keeping them clean and not taking risks such as eating hard, sticky food while wearing them can extend the lifespan.
Contact Blue Wave Smiles for a Consultation Today
We realize that choosing the right replacement for missing teeth is a big decision. You have many things to consider, including your finances and how much your insurance company will cover.
We know that you also care about aesthetics and how the restoration will look once complete. You can find out the answers to these and other questions about dentures by scheduling an initial consultation with Dr. Nguyen. The telephone number of our dental practice in San Clemente is 949-498-6840. You can also complete an appointment request form on our website. Don’t let another day pass hiding your smile because you’re embarrassed of your missing teeth.