Dental bridges and dentures are treatment options for people who have lost teeth. Though both options can be installed for you in less than a month, your dentist will walk you through a few key differences to help you decide which you prefer. Here are some of the ways dental bridges and dentures are unique.
One of the biggest differences between bridges and dentures is that dentures can be removed. With a bridge, which is a series of missing teeth, the dentist will permanently install the artificial teeth using crowns or implants. Dentures, which can be for one tooth, several teeth, or a full set of teeth, must be removed and cleaned every night.
Since bridges are permanent and dentures are frequently removed, these two options require different types of care. With a bridge, you’ll have to use superfloss daily to clean under the bridge. You’ll also need to use regular floss between your real teeth and the first teeth in the bridge. For dentures, you’ll have to brush the dentures in a basin of water every day using a special cleaner. You’ll also store the denture in a cup of water overnight.
Bridges are permanently installed, and they’ll stay in your mouth for a decade or longer if they’re properly cared for. Dentures are more fragile than bridges, and since you’re handling them a few times daily, you have to be cautious to avoid dropping or breaking them. Dentures also wear down and may warp under hot water. You’ll need to check in with your dentist to see if adjustments are needed. Dentures last for 8 or fewer years.
Dr. Mal Braverman hears all types of questions about dentures, and he helps his patients come to the right decision about whether or not dentures are the right cosmetic dental procedure for them. Here are some of the most common questions he hears, along with his answers.
No. According to your needs, Dr. Braverman will recommend either a full set of dentures, or if only some of your teeth need to be replaced, or you already have missing teeth, a partial set of dentures will be better for you.
There are two approaches to fitting you with a full set of dentures. You can either have conventional dentures or immediate ones. With conventional dentures, you’ll typically wait 8 to 12 weeks after your teeth have been extracted for the dentures to be made. On the other hand, immediate dentures are made before the extraction and can be fitted immediately. The downside to immediate dentures is that during the healing process after an extraction, changes take place in the mouth that can change the way the immediate dentures fit. (For instance, your gums can shrink.) Some people only wear immediate dentures until their conventional ones are made.
Yes. More and more people are deciding against dentures and are instead opting for dental implants. The implants look and feel just like real teeth, but unlike dentures, they are permanently installed in the mouth. It’s important to note that dental implants are more expensive than implants. Talk to the dentist about which dental appliance is right for you.
Yes, most insurance policies cover the cost of dentures. To be sure, bring in your insurance information and we’ll confirm it before any work is done.
Transitioning to dentures is a major change in life, and it requires some adjustment. However, there are benefits to having dentures that make facing these challenges worthwhile. The key is for people to remember that it takes time to get used to the change and make the most of it.
For the highest quality dentures, as well as a whole host of cosmetic dental procedures, trust Dr. Mal Braverman in NYC. He has created beautiful smiles that have appeared on T.V. and movie screens. He is also experienced at TMJ treatment.
Whatever your situation, Dr. Braverman can give you the perfect smile you’ve always wanted. Call Him At 212-688-3838 Today!
People get nervous at the thought of wearing dentures, but it’s important to remember the ways in which it improves life. Yes, there are some challenges involved in getting used to them, but the benefits are worth it.
Speech is dramatically impaired when someone is missing most or all of their teeth, especially when the front teeth, which help form some of the vital sounds, are gone.
Although dentures can take a little getting used to when it comes to speaking, ultimately, they go a long way toward restoring more normal sounding speech.
Being able to chew food thoroughly is better for digestion, because it makes the absorption of nutrients easier for the body. When teeth are missing, it is almost impossible to chew. People are forced to either limit themselves to very soft foods or swallowing small pieces of food. Dentures restore the ability to chew.
If there are gaps in the teeth, a partial can fill them in. This can help to protect the alignment of the remaining teeth. Chewing with gaps causes the remaining teeth to drift into the spaces and can lead to misalignment.
Overtime, this can lead to more tooth loss. Dentures help prevent this from happening by filling in the gaps and keeping the bite stress spread evenly.
When teeth are missing, those teeth that remain wind up doing more of the work of chewing. This means they wear down quicker. Worn teeth can affect the jaw position and change the face profile, giving people a sunken look. Dentures help keep this from happening by giving a mouthful of teeth to use for chewing.
Periodontal disease, sometimes referred to as gum disease, is a bacterial growth that damages the tissues surrounding the teeth. Gums can become inflamed and bleed. Often, the bleeding will be noticed during tooth brushing. If the disease is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis, a condition in which the gums and bone pull away from teeth to create spaces that can become infected. Eventually, the tissues and bones begin to break down, the spaces deepen and teeth loosen and fall out.
The role of periodontists is to diagnose, treat and prevent gum disease. They also can perform cosmetic periodontal procedures when necessary, such as crafting custom dentures. Periodontists are trained in a wide variety of techniques, from cleaning infected roots to removing damaged tissue. In the event of tooth loss, they can use dental implants to replace them. Dental implants actually take the place of the original tooth root, so they provide a long-lasting solution that doesn’t need to be removed.
Dental implants, however, are a solution only after teeth have been lost. A periodontist works hard to prevent that from happening. They will check for receding gums and make sure none of the teeth are loose. They assess the health of the gums to see if there is evidence of gum disease, and if so, recommend treatments to prevent further damage.
Some patients that have suffered tooth loss prefer dentures, which is a more traditional option than dental implants. Dentures have come a long way thanks to advances in technology. They are more comfortable than they used to be, and because they are typically made from plastic, they are easy to adjust over time if tissue or bones within the mouth begin to shrink.
Dentures can be used to replace upper or lower teeth, a few teeth or all of them. They restore the proper fullness to a person’s face, which can give a more attractive and younger appearance. They make it easier to eat, improve your smile and modern dentures look more like natural teeth than ever.
Another advantage of dentures is that they make it easier to pronounce certain sounds that are difficult without teeth, restoring a patient’s speech. A qualified and experienced dentist can discuss with you the various options, so you can decide whether dentures or implants are right for you.
If you seek an experienced and reliable dentist, one who can provide cosmetic care, periodontal care and reconstructive dentistry, then get in touch with Dr. Mal Braverman. Located in NYC, Dr. Braverman has a top-notch reputation for creating and maintaining great smiles. He can recommend a treatment program and get you on the right track to achieving that fabulous smile you’ve always wanted.
