Visiting the dentist is crucial to maintaining good oral health and wellness. However, there are times when problems occur that require a dentist to provide restorative service. Individuals in Ozark, MO who are faced with tooth loss will want to speak to a dentist about the services available to them to restore their smile. In many cases, patients will learn about the benefits of dentures.
What are dentures?
Drs. Tracy Davis and Jim Oslica of Excel Dental describe dentures as restorative appliances that are made to replace missing teeth to ensure proper function and appearance. Dentures are often the most economical solution when compared with alternatives such as dental bridges and dental implants. They are attainable for patients on all budgets, and in many cases are covered by a patient’s dental insurance plan when available.
What types of dentures are available?
There are several different varieties of dentures that may be fabricated at Excel Dental for patients. These include:
- Conventional partial dentures
- Conventional full dentures
- Implant-retained dentures
- Implant-supported dentures
- Hybrid dentures
- Temporary dentures
Which type of denture is right for me?
Some dentures are made to replace a single tooth, such as a traditional partial denture. This type of denture uses a metal framework that snaps into the dental arch, sliding false teeth where they are needed to restore the smile. Other dentures are used to replace several teeth, including that of full traditional dentures. These dentures use an acrylic appliance to recreate the teeth and gums. They are held in place with denture adhesive or natural suction. When patients think of full dentures, they might imagine their grandparents’ false teeth, but these dentures have come a long way over the years. Full dentures created by a dentist at Excel Dental are fabricated to look completely natural. This is a sign of a quality restoration created by an experienced laboratory.
To determine which type of denture is most appropriate for a patient’s needs, Drs. Tracy Davis and Jim Oslica of Excel Dental will evaluate a patient and speak to him or her about the desires they have for their final, restored smile. The team will determine the best approach to restoring the smile based on the patient’s needs, the number of teeth missing, and the budget the patient must work with. Certain types of dentures, such as implant-retained dentures and implant-supported dentures, require the patient to be a good candidate for dental implants prior to moving forward with the creation of dentures. Dental implants require patients to have sufficient bone of the jaw available for the implant to have a proper foundation for holding dentures in place. X-rays are used to visualize underneath the gums and decide if certain dentures are appropriate.
Ready to find out how dentures can improve your smile?
Whether you are missing one tooth or several, Drs. Tracy Davis and Jim Oslica of Excel Dental in Ozark, MO are here to help! The office is located at 1701 West James River Road and can be reached by phone to request an appointment at 417-581-3600. Our facility is open to new and established patients in the community and beyond seeking general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry solutions for their smiles!