Are Dentures A Good Choice For Replacing Missing Teeth?

A look at established tooth replacement methods and more recent options

Losing a tooth can be devastating, perhaps especially more so for a younger person who has lost it in an accident, playing sports or similar. In this case, it is most likely to be a visible tooth as well, so choosing not to replace it is unlikely for most people.

In reality, any missing teeth should be replaced as a loss means a gap appearing, together with uneccesary pressure on adjacent teeth as we use those to compensate. Crooked teeth can also occur if there is a gap as the surrounding teeth start to encroach into the vacant space.

For today’s blog then, we are going to take a look at the pros and cons of dentures, the oldest option for tackling this problem, and also other choices for our Burton patients.

Long established

Dentures have been used as far back as the ancient Egyptians, although these were most likely purely cosmetic and lacked any functionality, perhaps using animal teeth or pieces of shell. Over time, these would have been improved to offer some level of functionality as well. More recently, we arrive at what we now know as modern dentures. Even in recent years, dentures have been improved, with some even offering flexibility in the mouth as you chew and speak. Generally then, the latest dentures offer a good level of aesthetics and a reasonable degree of functionality.

Dentures do have some benefits over other methods too. It is a relatively affordable option and usually requires no invasive treatment such as drilling of teeth. For this reason, they do present a good option for patients who are especially afraid of receiving dental treatment. They may also be a good option for someone currently still involved in sports such as football where contact is quite possible. They can be removed before a game and replaced afterwards. Other, more permanent, options might then be considered upon retirement. They are quick to produce and don’t require a lengthy ‘settling in’ time which others, such as teeth implants, sometimes do.

Generally then, we wouldn’t discourage anyone from having dentures if this was the approach that they wished to take. Dentures do offer patients of SG Dental and Implant centre a good option with a good level of functionality. However, there are also some potential drawbacks which it is important for patients to realise before making a final decision.

Denture problems

There is likely to be some initial feeling of discomfort as your mouth is simply not used to having this foreign object in it. This can feel strange and also have initial side effects of speech issues and also excessive saliva production as your mouth becomes used to them. This usually decreases after a little time when you become accustomed.

A more longer term issue is that of stability. Dentures are usually held in place by suction and sometimes clips. Special adhesives can also help. Mostly, these do the job they are intended for, but especially as facial shape changes occur, wearers often find that there is some movement with their dentures. This creates a number of issues including discomfort and possible soreness as the dentures rub against the gums. There can also be some difficulty in eating certain foods, and it is far from unknown for wearers to avoid these rather than struggle to eat them, especially when dining out. In some cases, dentures can become very loose and visibly move in the mouth. This can be a cause of significant embarrassment if it happens at the wrong time.

Dentures are also a little fiddly to clean and have to be removed from the mouth to do so. In fact, one of the main causes of denture damage is for them to be dropped in the sink when cleaning, so make sure to put a towel or similar in the sink to absorb any impact in case you drop them.

Other options

Because of these possible issues mentioned above, it is worth knowing what the alternatives are. The first of these is a ‘bridge’ which is a replacement tooth, or teeth, with a crown at either side. These are attached to the teeth adjacent to the gap to secure the bridge in place. This provides more stability than dentures but does often mean the removal of some healthy tooth material so that the crowns fit; something that many people won’t want to do.

The most contemporary option is that of dental implants. These can also be used to stabilise dentures if you require. Implants are, in effect, artificial tooth roots which are placed into small holes that are made in the jawbone. These are allowed to fuse together in a process known as osseointegration, and this provides an extremely strong ‘anchor’ onto which a crown is attached. This is currently as close in appearance and functionality as it is possible to get to a natural tooth, with no food being a challenge that your regular teeth can bite or chew.

Generally, we do believe that dental implants are the way forwards and, despite a lengthier and more complex treatment, the long term benefits are well worth it. A healthy implant can last for twenty years or more if you look after it, with cleaning being the same, or similar, to that of a natural tooth.

Each one of our Burton patients is different of course and we will not encourage you to have a tooth replacement option that you don’t wish to have. If you lose a tooth and would like to discuss the options available for replacing it, please do get in touch so that we can arrange a consultation with one of our dentists to discuss this in more detail.

Please contact us to arrange appointments, or for any other dental related matter by calling the SG Dental and Implant Centre on 01283 845345. We’re here to help you get your smile and eating functionality back on track.