Dentures – Las Cruces, NM
A Tried-and-True Way to Complete Your Smile
When you don’t have all of your natural teeth, chewing certain foods can be quite a challenge. Not only do you have to skip out on some of your favorite meals and snacks, but your overall health can suffer by not being able to eat crunchy, nutritious fruits and vegetables. As if that weren’t bad enough, tooth loss can make it difficult to speak clearly and smile confidently. If you’ve been searching for a way to replace your missing teeth, look no further than dentures in Las Cruces, NM. Dentures are a tried-and-true way to complete your smile, and today’s dentures are more lifelike than ever before. Don’t wait any longer to bring back your lost teeth – contact Painted Skies Dental Center today to schedule a dentures consultation!
Why Choose Painted Skies Dental Center for Dentures?
- Talented, Friendly Husband-and-Wife Team of Dentists
- Clean, Comfortable Dental Office
- In-House Dental Financing Available
Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Potentially, anyone in Las Cruces missing some or all of their natural adult teeth can benefit from getting dentures. However, that doesn’t mean that this tried-and-true solution is the best way to meet everyone’s unique needs.
Before proceeding, you must consult one of our providers to ensure you’re a good candidate. Continue reading to learn more about whether you might benefit from one of these restorations, and please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life in several ways. Not only might you feel self-conscious about the sudden changes to your appearance, but you might also struggle to eat or speak like you used to. After all, you rely on two complete arches to thoroughly chew food and clearly enunciate words.
According to the American Dental Association and other respected organizations, periodontitis (advanced gum disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. However, they can also be lost due to physical trauma or become destabilized or dislodged if you have untreated tooth decay.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Dentures are the standard method of rebuilding smiles after tooth loss because they’re a versatile way to replace some or all of your missing teeth. They’re ideal for patients who have:
- Suffered significant tooth loss.
- Overly sensitive teeth and gums.
- Severe tooth decay.
- Sufficiently healthy connective tissues.
- A firm enough jawbone to support your restoration.
- A consistent, twice-daily dental hygiene routine.
These replacement teeth also tend to be more cost-effective than alternatives, which can be ideal for patients on a tighter budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If our team in Las Cruces determines that you’re not a good candidate for dentures, don’t lose hope! There are other ways to restore your smile that you might still benefit from, including:
- Dental bridges. This is usually made from resilient, tooth-colored ceramic and contains the correct number of pontics (artificial teeth) with a dental crown on each side. These are cemented over healthy abutment teeth or dental implants in your mouth to replace one or several consecutively missing teeth.
- Dental implants. This is the only option that involves surgically embedding a titanium support rod in your jaw to anchor a more permanent restoration, which can be customized to look and feel as lifelike as possible.
Types of Dentures
Over the decades, denture technology has evolved in incredible ways. Currently, there are three main types of dentures, which all consist of a pink acrylic base and lifelike, personalized artificial teeth. The kind of denture that your dentist in Las Cruces recommends for you will depend on the state of your oral health as well as your individual preferences.
Partial Dentures
Patients who still have some natural teeth remaining can enjoy a complete smile again thanks to partial dentures. This prosthetic attaches to these teeth with metal or plastic clasps, and contains a specific number of replacement teeth that seamlessly blend into your grin.
Full Dentures
A full denture can recreate an entire arch of teeth at once. The base sits on the gum tissue, and a natural suction force keeps it in place when you’re talking and eating. Adhesives can also be used for extra stability.
Implant Dentures
If you miss the strong, natural feeling of your real teeth, then you might be interesting in implant dentures. We can refer you to a specialist who places a small number of dental implants in your jaw. There, they fuse to the bone tissue, providing enough support for a full or partial denture. Implant dentures won’t slip around, they replenish more chewing force, and they keep your jawbone strong for years – even decades – to come.
The Benefits of Dentures
It’s not hard to see why dentures have remained popular over the years. They have let countless patients enjoy newfound confidence and functionality after tooth loss. By replacing your missing teeth with dentures, you can look forward to several benefits, including:
- An affordable tooth loss treatment.
- Easy daily care and maintenance.
- Preserving the alignment of your natural teeth (in the case of partials).
- Greater confidence.
- The ability to chew more easily.
- A prosthetic that can last for 10 years with the right care.
When you secure your denture onto dental implants, you can enjoy even more benefits!
Denture FAQs
How Long Will You Have to Wait to Get Dentures After Your Teeth Are Pulled?
On average, most patients have to wait about six to eight weeks after getting their teeth pulled to receive dentures. Although two months may sound like a long time, it’s necessary to ensure the gums have enough time to heal properly. It’s worth noting that the exact amount of time needed will vary depending on the type of denture in question. Immediate dentures can be placed on the same day as an extraction, but they’ll need to be switched out sooner because the shape of the jawbone changes as the mouth heals. If you’re getting implant dentures, you’ll need to wait about four to six months for the implant to fuse with the jawbone via osseointegration.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
When you first get your dentures, you’ll be asked to keep them in your mouth for an entire 24 hours, including while you sleep. However, it’s strongly recommended that you remove them every evening before bed once you get past that initial period. Wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. By regularly taking out your oral appliances, you give your gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need during the night. Additionally, sleeping with dentures is associated with a higher risk of pneumonia and poor oral hygiene.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Since there are three different types of dentures, the requirements for getting each one are different. Here’s what to expect:
- Partial Dentures – If you still have most of your teeth, this is the most ideal option for you.
- Full Dentures – These are an excellent choice for patients who have lost all of their teeth or don’t have enough healthy teeth worth saving.
- Dental Implants – If you have a sufficient amount of jawbone density, you can receive dental implants and use them to support your dentures.
Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?
If you need oral surgery before getting dentures, you’ll likely experience mild soreness and discomfort after the procedure. Luckily, you can easily manage it by taking your prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed and using cold compresses. Once you get your new teeth, you may have minor irritation while your mouth adjusts to the new appliance. The discomfort should go away as soon as you adjust to your prosthetics. That process can take weeks or months depending on your unique situation.
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