What Are the Benefits of Dentures?

Dentures can be a great dental treatment option for a significant number of people due to their highly customizable nature and reliable function. As stated, dentures are customizable and have the advantage of replacing full sets of teeth, while also being tailored to an individual’s specific tooth pattern and gaps. People generally experience more effective chewing and eating because of their dentures, this leads to a more nutritious and healthy lifestyle.

In addition, many dental procedures are more suited for people with most of their healthy teeth, such as implants, but for those with a significant number of missing or unhealthy teeth, dentures are likely the better option. The aesthetics of a full set of teeth that dentures provide are also very appealing for many and can be maintained with proper care. A summary highlighting the most redeeming benefits of dentures would be their personalization and flexibility, as well as the drastic oral health and aesthetic improvements they bring. 

Over their years of integration into dental practice, dentures have demonstrated a significant positive impact on oral health. Oftentimes, there are issues within the mouth that arise that would have been completely preventable. For example, tooth gaps can lead to a plethora of issues, such as trapped food particles, plaque accumulation, and gum pockets being exposed to bacteria, leading to surrounding tooth decay, and gum infection or disease in some cases. 

For people with several tooth gaps, dentures, or even partial dentures, it may be a great option to help prevent these potential issues down the line. In addition to this, people often experience an improved chewing experience thanks to dentures, allowing them to not only eat the foods they need for proper nutrition, but to properly break down their food to lower the risk of choking, and causing digestive problems. It is not stepping the line to say that the impact of dentures can be life-changing for people, especially for those dealing with oral health struggles. Consulting with Dr. Higgins will confirm if the treatment of interest, such as dentures, is an appropriate decision to make. 

While there is no distinct threshold for when any given person should get dentures, it is not uncommon for a dentist to recommend dentures to those with as few as one missing tooth. In the case of missing only a single or few teeth, partial dentures may be an available treatment option. In more extreme scenarios, such as a person with most of their teeth missing or decaying to the point where it is difficult to chew food or even rest the jaw comfortably, partial dentures will likely not be enough and a patient will need full dentures. This will require extraction; however, the benefits of dentures for someone going through the struggle of several missing and decaying teeth cannot be understated. The significance of filling the gap comes from preventing bacteria buildup and protecting the gums, and oral health as a whole. When bacteria builds up initially, it takes the form of plaque, but over time, it will harden into calculus/tartar, which can lead to even further complications such as cavities and gum disease. 

A common misconception about dentures is that they are strictly for elderly people. This is not the case, as dentures can often be a great treatment option for all ages experiencing oral health issues. While kids will very likely pass on dentures for a naturally missing baby tooth, there are many people with disorders that affect their oral health from a young age, meaning that dentures are a possible option for treatment. Generally speaking, these types of disorders, along with gum disease, and missing, cracked, or chipped teeth from accidents are unfortunate scenarios that affect people of all ages. Dentures are just one possible option available to people in these scenarios, and speaking with Dr. Higgins, at Four Corners Dental Group, will help determine the best way to navigate treatment. 

If you want more assistance, Dr. Higgins may help you with denture services. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3901 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502. We serve patients from Anchorage AK, Basher AK, Campbell AK, Spenard AK, Midtown AK, and surrounding areas.