Denture Solutions Salem OR Tooth loss has a serious impact on just about every aspect of your life. One of the most obvious effects of tooth loss is the effects it has on your smile and your confidence. Without your teeth, biting and chewing become arduous tasks. Moreover, since your teeth are responsible for the first stages of digestion, your body has a harder time absorbing nutrients. Missing teeth can impact your speech, and make it difficult for others to understand you. Dentures have long been the solution to tooth loss, but they can be bulky, uncomfortable, and tedious. At Oak Park Dental, we can provide you with solutions to dentures.Causes of Tooth LossOne of the most common causes of tooth loss is gum disease. Gum disease is a progressive condition in which plaque and oral bacteria irritate your gum tissue. Inflamed gum tissue pulls away from your teeth, allowing bacteria to fall into the “pockets.” Once there, bacteria attack your jawbone and your periodontal ligaments. Your teeth become loose and eventually fall out. Other causes of gum disease include:
What are Dentures?Dentures have been used for decades to replace missing teeth. They are removable, and consist of false teeth (often made from an acrylic resin), that are set into an acrylic, gum-colored base. Dentures are designed based on molds of your mouth, providing a custom fit, supported by your gums and held in place by suction.While dentures replace many of the essential functions of your teeth—restoring your ability to eat properly, improving your speech and giving you back your smile—they also have several disadvantages that often make them undesirable. They require a significant amount of daily maintenance. They can slip out of place while you eat, or even while you are talking, which can not only lead to embarrassing situations, it can also cause painful denture sores. One of the biggest disadvantages of dentures is that they do nothing for your jawbone. When you lose your teeth, your jawbone begins to weaken and resorb. Your jaw depends upon your teeth to keep them strong. Even though dentures replace your teeth on the surface, they do not stimulate the jawbone. As a result, your jaw weakens, and your dentures, which are not flexible, will no longer fit its shape. Dentures need to be replaced approximately every seven years. Dental ImplantsDental Implants are the latest development for replacing missing teeth. They consist of titanium rods, which are placed surgically into your jaw, abutments, which attach to the top of the rods, and your replacement teeth, which are typically made out of ceramic. The abutments act as connectors between your new teeth and the rods.Implants rely on osseointegration, or the fusion of your jawbone to the titanium implants, for stability. When fusion is successful (and implants have a 98% success rate), the rods become like replacement roots. Instead of your gums, your replacement teeth are supported by the implants. Your new teeth are affixed to the implants with screws, providing you with a permanent tooth replacement option. Implant-Supported BridgesAn implant supported bridge takes the place of a partial denture, replacing sections of consecutive missing teeth. The exact number of implants that are used depends on several factors, including how many teeth are missing, and your jawbone. An implant supported bridge not only restores the functions of your missing teeth, but it also blends in beautifully with the rest of your natural teeth. A partial denture has metal clasps, which hook on to your teeth, and can often be seen when you smile. Implant supported bridges do not have these clasps. No one will be able to tell that they are there.Implant-Supported DenturesImplant supported dentures are designed to take the place of traditional full dentures. Your replacement teeth are supported on six to eight implants. In certain instances, four implants may be used (a procedure is known as All-on-4® Treatment Concept) when you lack sufficient bone density. Once you have healed from surgery, your permanent teeth are screwed into place on your dental implants. They are not meant to be removed unless we need to remove them for maintenance. You don’t have to worry about being refitted for a new denture every seven years. Your replacement teeth are meant to last a lifetime.Mini Dental ImplantsTypically, to be a candidate for dental implants, you have to have sufficient bone mass in your jaw. Otherwise, your jaw would not be able to fuse properly with the titanium rods. This meant that you were relegated to dentures. However, with mini implants, more patients can enjoy the benefits that implants have to offer. Mini implants lack abutments, the teeth being held in place by a ball on the exposed end of the implant. Mini implants are also smaller than typical implants and require a less invasive procedure.Benefits of Dental ImplantsWith dental implants, the functions and aesthetics of your smile are restored. They come with numerous benefits:
If you are interested in learning more about solutions to dentures, contact Oak Park Dental today at (971) 600-0211! |
Serving Salem Keizer Community since 1987
We provide dental services for the entire family from children to older adults. Our entire team of caring Doctors, hygienists and support staff pride ourselves on a high level of patient care.
Using the latest in modern dental technology our services range from sealants to complex implant surgery. Our goal is a comfortable experience for our patients with beautiful results. Smile more :-) Call today (971) 600-0211 |
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