In our previous blog, we looked at how a partial denture can restore significant tooth loss. But what if you’ve lost all, or a majority, of your natural teeth? For those with near total tooth loss, your Mansfield, TX, dentists can create a custom-made denture known as a full, or a complete denture. How do we craft them and what should patients expect from the treatment process?

The Dangers of Total Tooth Loss

When we lose most of our teeth, this means we must subsist mainly on soft foods. Over time, this diet deprives your body of essential nutrients, as well as your favorite foods! Others may have trouble speaking clearly, which leads to difficulties maintaining an active social life. Over time, the lack of tooth roots also causes the body to stop supplying the jawbone with doses of calcium and phosphorus. Without these nutrients, the bone tissue begins to break down, leading to an aged appearance, including sunken cheeks and ptotic chins. Addressing your tooth loss restores your smile and improves overall quality of life.

Creating Your Complete Prosthetic

We will begin by taking detailed images, impressions, and measurements of your smile. We use the information to design a denture that will fit comfortably and reflect your unique facial structure. The prosthetic will contain a base made from acrylic, which will look like natural gum tissue. A full row of teeth will be crafted from ceramic or other lifelike material, ensuring your teeth can withstand bite forces and pressure, while also maintaining a natural appearance. Suction will hold the prosthetic in place, and you will need to replace it every 5 to 10 years as your jaw ridge changes shape. We will discuss daily care, such as removal for soaking, to ensure the prosthetic continues to provide optimal tooth replacement.

Securing Them with Dental Implants

Of course, we can also discuss a fixed alternative. Instead of relying on suction, what if we could insert multiple dental implants into each arch. We then attach the prosthetic, offering tooth replacement that doesn’t slip when you eat or speak. Dental implants also act as new tooth roots, which resumes the flow of calcium and phosphorus and stimulates the growth of jawbone tissue, preventing changes to the jaw ridge and enabling your new teeth to last for decades, possibly even a lifetime. If you have any questions about replacing your missing teeth, or about our removable or implant-secured dentures, then contact our team today. We would love to help you enjoy a full and beautiful smile again!

Let’s Restore Your Smile

We would like to help you enjoy a full and functional smile by replacing your missing teeth. To learn more about treating tooth loss, then schedule a consultation by calling our dentist’s office in Mansfield, TX, today at 817-473-6227.