Dentures – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Ponte Vedra Beach Dentures Restore Missing Teeth

Our doctors at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry are thoroughly trained to provide the residents of Ponte Vedra and surrounding communities with a variety of tooth replacement treatments.

There are many reasons for teeth to be missing. Aside from the obvious reasons like esthetics, there are functional reasons as well. When a single tooth is lost, the adjacent teeth can drift into the opening and the entire bite can be changed. This can be costly and difficult to treat if neglected. Speaking and chewing can also be difficult with missing teeth, and the sides of the face can sag and indent. These indentations can add many years to the way a person looks. Along with implants and bridges, dentures can serve as a viable solution. Contact us to learn more.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?

Most individuals who are suffering from tooth loss are considered candidates for dentures in Ponte Vedra; however, a full consultation is required. Once we meet with you, we will consider a few factors to determine which type of denture is right for your needs. We’ll look at your jawbone density, your oral and overall health, and your budget.

Traditional dentures are much less expensive than implant dentures, but we’ll also need to incorporate the potential for preliminary treatments and sedation.

What Are the Different Types of Dentures?

When meeting with Dr. Townsend or Dr. Harth, they will go over the different types of dentures that are available and which one will help you meet your desired smile goals:

Partial Dentures

Removable partial dentures are designed to replace missing teeth in a smaller segment of the jaw. They usually consist of artificial teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base, connected by a metal framework that holds the denture in its proper orientation in the mouth.

Partial dentures are used when one or more healthy and stable natural teeth remain in the mouth. These dentures are retained in the mouth by the anatomic variances of the bone and soft tissue as well as special metal clasps that utilize the remaining teeth as support.

Full Dentures

Complete dentures are a removable replacement for an entire dental arch. They are constructed of a special denture resin with either resin or porcelain teeth and are designed to replace the normal form and function of either the teeth in the upper jaw or the lower jaw. The complete denture uses the anatomic contours of the mouth, the opposing teeth, and the properties of saliva to stay retained in the mouth. The result can be functional and esthetically pleasing.

Implant Dentures

With the technological advancements that dental implants have given us, the implant denture has become a terrific tool for dentists. These are a type of full denture that is held into place by dental implants instead of resting on the soft tissue like conventional dentures. These dentures can be done in several ways. With an overdenture, the denture will snap onto the implant in your jaw similar to how a snap shirt works. The other type of implant denture is the hybrid. A hybrid is generally fixed in place with a screw attachment to 4-6 dental implants in each arch. The denture is removed every 6 months for cleaning by your dentist in Ponte Vedra Beach. The result is an extremely secure and retentive replacement for teeth.

Benefits of Dentures

Dentures are a lower-cost alternative to implants and can be the chosen procedure for many patients who are missing teeth. Many patients that have been treated with dentures claim they have a better smile, better facial features, and better self-esteem as a result.

In addition to the esthetic aspects of dentures, there are many other tooth replacement benefits someone with missing teeth can consider. Missing teeth can negatively affect speech patterns, but dentures restore the natural shape of teeth, so those proper patterns are restored. Chewing is easier with full dentition and reliance on soft foods can be eliminated. Dentures can also keep teeth from drifting in the mouth and spread the forces of mastication over more areas, therefore protecting any remaining teeth.