Are Dentures a Relic of the Past?
Dentures have been around a while, it’s true. In fact, civilizations have been creating prosthetic smiles since as far back as 1500 B.C., when the ancient Egyptians are thought to have crafted dentures using gold wire and real human teeth.
After that, until the introduction of vulcanized rubber enabled the invention of modern dentures, functional but likely ill-fitting versions were made all over the world using all variety of materials, including wood, ivory, bone, and animal teeth.
If you look at George Washington’s face on the one-dollar bill, you may notice a bit of a grimace. Could that be discomfort from his dentures? While the hippopotamus-ivory (and not wooden, contrary to popular lore) set he wore was high-end for the time, it was almost certainly awkward, uncomfortable, and required constant adjusting.
But dentures have come a long way not just from George Washington’s day. Thanks to modern technology and materials, the dentures we are able to make for you today are superior in fit and function even to the ones your parents and grandparents wore.
Indeed, dentures are better than ever — and still an excellent tooth-replacement option.
To learn more about modern dentures and discuss how they will restore your smile, Call Texas Grins of Willow Park, TX at [phone].
What Makes Modern Dentures Better?
Gone are the days of loose, uncomfortable, and fake-looking false teeth. Precise digital measuring and manufacturing technology enable us to build dentures that fit perfectly in your mouth. This ensures they will be comfortable to wear (and no George Washington grimace).
You will be surprised at how lifelike today’s dentures look in the mouth. We use materials that look like real teeth. So you can smile all you want and no one will know your secret!
And dentures offer numerous benefits to your smile, both in appearance and function.
- You will be able to chew better and enjoy meals more with a full set of teeth.
- While there will be some foods you’ll have to avoid, you’ll have fewer restrictions than with missing teeth.
- If your speech was compromised by missing teeth, you’ll be able to speak more clearly with dentures.
- Dentures help fill out your face, so your cheeks won’t have a sunken appearance from missing teeth.
- Dentures can help protect any remaining teeth from wear and tear.
Your Denture Options
At Texas Grins, we are thrilled to have several denture options available to our patients.
Full Dentures replace a whole upper or lower arch of teeth. (If you have any remaining teeth, they must be extracted before you are fitted with full dentures.) A full denture consists of a polymer base set with an arch of lifelike artificial teeth. The denture should fit snugly into the mouth and is held in place with the help of denture adhesive. It is removeable for cleaning.
Partial Dentures, true to their name, replace a few teeth. A partial denture is made up of a polymer base, a wire framework, and one or more artificial teeth. The frame is held in place with the help of your natural teeth, which serve as anchors. Like full dentures, partial dentures are removable.
Implant-Retained Dentures combine the benefits of dentures with the stability of dental implants. First, you will have dental implants surgically placed in your jawbone. Once your mouth has healed, Dr. Crain will fit you with dentures that attach to the dental implants via a ball attachment. The dentures are removable for easy care, but completely secure when in your mouth. No sliding, slipping, or falling out! And you won’t have to deal with yucky denture adhesives. Implant-Supported Dentures are similar to implant-retained dentures, but use a bar attachment system instead.
Whatever your budget, oral health, and smile goals, we have a tooth-replacement option for you. Call Texas Grins of Willow Park, TX at [phone] to schedule a consultation. Or skip the phone and complete our web form.