Conventional Dentures vs. Immediate Dentures

In the event that you need dentures, you will likely be faced with a choice between conventional dentures and immediate dentures. As the name implies, immediate dentures are inserted right after the natural teeth are removed from the gums.

Conventional dentures, on the other hand, are not inserted for about six to eight weeks, once the gums have healed. According to the American Dental Association, dentists conduct a preliminary visit in order to make models of a patient’s jaws for immediate dentures. These dentures are helpful because the wearer does not have to go without teeth for weeks while waiting for the gums to heal.

However, one disadvantage is that gums and bones can shrink over time, requiring people to get immediate dentures refitted. Talk to a knowledgeable dentist on your True Dental Discounts, dental plan to figure out which option is better for you.

Signs your dentures need replaced

Despite common perceptions, dentures do experience normal wear and tear and eventually need to be replaced. In cases where the teeth are beginning to show signs of considerable wear or are becoming loose, your True Care Advantage-plan dentist will make brand new dentures to fit the changing structure of your mouth. According to the American Dental Association, a person’s mouth naturally changes with age. For instance, bone and gum ridges can recede, which in turn shifts the jaw alignment. All of these changes can result in loose dentures that need to be remade.

In cases where people ignore their ill-fitting dentures, they may experience sores or infections and have difficulty chewing. The ADA suggests that loose dentures may even change people’s facial features, so it is important to talk to your dentist if you notice any loosening of your dentures. Experts recommend that people with dentures still see the dentist regularly for exactly that purpose. Check-up visits allow the dentist to take note of any changes in the dentures and check the mouth for signs of oral cancer.

Study shows dental implants are safe substitutes for natural teeth

When a person loses a tooth, either through an accident or poor oral health, it is often replaced with a dental implant. Dental implants are made to look like a natural tooth, allowing patients to continue to enjoy the same appearance and functioning they did before the loss. Although previous research led dental practitioners to believe that implants can disrupt the tissue and bone structure in a patient’s mouth, a study published in the Journal of Periodontology has shed new light on the implants.

Researchers found that most of a patient’s bone remodeling occurred after the implant was placed and before the final prosthesis was inserted. Further, they found that the bone changed very little in the following five years. This is significant because it solidifies the use of dental implants as safe substitutes for natural teeth. Talk to a dentist on your True Care Advantage plan if you think you may be a good candidate for dental implants; implants can restore your confidence in the way you look, speak, and eat.