Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is the general term used to describe what dentists do to improve your appearance. An improvement in your appearance increases self esteem. That, in turn, can improve overall health.
The Concerns
People often complain that their teeth are crooked, chipped or broken from accidents. They are self-conscious about visible natural imperfections. They can see decay and stains. Fillings are showing. Continue reading
Things You Need to Know About Partial Dentures
Devices other than partial dentures which attempt to replace the appearance and function of a tooth are:
- a bridge. It is not removable but is permanently fastened in place to adjacent teeth.
- or an implant. These are devices which permanently attach themselves directly to the bone of the jaw and protrude through the gum just as teeth do. At Growing Beautiful Smiles, we do not provide implant services, but a will be happy to discuss them with you and put you in touch with practitioners who do.
One way to replace a tooth or several teeth is with a partial denture. There are many things to consider…
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Location:
A partial denture can be made for the upper jaw (“upper partial denture”) and/or the lower jaw (“lower partial denture.”)
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Fixed in Place or Removable?
A partial denture is removable; the patient can take it in and out – wear it or not wear it. Almost always, the plan is to wear it during waking hours and leave it out while sleeping.
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The advantages of a removable device are:
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Things You Need to Know About Full Dentures
Another way of replacing missing teeth is with implants – devices that permanently attach themselves directly to the bone of the jaw and protrude through the gum just as teeth do. They overcome the difficulty of dentures which might move about with the act of chewing. The cost of implants is prohibitive for many people. At Growing Beautiful Smiles, we do not provide implant services, but a will be happy to discuss them with you and put you in touch with practitioners who do.
Replacing all of the teeth in the jaws usually is done with a full (“complete”) denture. There are many things to consider…
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Location:
A full denture can be made for the upper jaw (“upper full denture”) or the lower jaw (“lower full denture.”) or both.
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When the Device is Provided:
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“Standard” – The denture is provided to replace teeth extracted in the past – often to replace an older denture.
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“Immediate” – The denture is provided at the same appointment that the teeth are extracted. Continue reading
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Things You Need to Know About Denture Relines
Full dentures and some partial dentures transfer some of the biting forces to the gums. Full dentures, especially upper full dentures, stay in place because of their accurate fit to underlying structure of the mouth. That underlying structure, once upon a time, used to hold teeth. It’s purpose in life was to hold teeth and to receive and dissipate the forces placed on them. No longer.
When the bone underlying a denture is denied its purpose in life – supporting teeth and dissipating the forces placed on it – it tends to shrink in size. Its new purpose is merely to support a denture and the much diminished forces placed indirectly on it via the cushioning action of the gums. Continue reading
False Teeth Still Need to Be Cleaned – Here’s How
Dentures (“false teeth”) need to be cleaned. They won’t decay, but they will acquire an unpleasant odour. An unpleasant odour is a good clue that there are unhealthy micro-organisms predominating.
In the Office
Using an ultrasonic stain/debris removal solution to remove debris from full and partial dentures, gives us a way to “scrub” their surface at a microscopic level. Continue reading
Extractions (Tooth Removal)
Removing (“pulling,” “extracting”) a tooth is sort of dentistry’s ultimate failure. That is a common view when the goal of dentistry is considered to be “preserving teeth so that they last a lifetime.”
That sounds like a noble and worthwhile goal, but it’s not quite complete.