If you have missing teeth, you may feel you have few to no options for a great smile. Actually, the opposite is true. Your Kalamazoo, MI, 
dentist, Dr. Mark Richardson, offers individualized denture options. Whatever condition your teeth are in, he can give you a smile that's renewed in appearance and function, too.
When you lose teeth
Not only are your speech, chewing and biting compromised, but your appearance is, too. Tooth loss precipitates deterioration of gum tissue and jaw bone size and density, too. These changes impact the shape of your face and how smooth your skin is. In short, tooth loss without tooth replacement can make you look, feel and act much older than you really are.
Your denture options in Kalamazoo
There are two basic kinds of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures replace an entire arch of missing teeth. They may be secured by dental implants surgically inserted into the jaw, or the natural suction of the mouth may hold them in place with little to no adhesive needed.
Partial dentures have one, two, or more pontic, or artificial, teeth mounted on a metal framework. These prosthetics fill smile gaps, and usually, they attach to remaining teeth with clips. As with complete dentures, you and your dentist may choose to secure your prosthetic with one or more dental implants, or more typically, your "partial" may be removable.
Additionally, some patients decide to wear something called immediate dentures. Avoiding the embarrassment of being without teeth, immediate dentures are placed over sutured extraction sites right after teeth are extracted. The denture actually helps speed healing as it puts pressure on the gums and bone. An unfortunate downside to immediate dentures is their changing fit. As bone and gums heal and shrink, immediate dentures should be replaced or relined.
Choosing dentures
During a consultation with Dr. Richardson, he'll examine your mouth and take digital X-rays. A series of oral impressions will help him and the dental lab arrive at your best denture option, and of course, you'll be consulted on your preference for tooth shape and color.
Expect your adjustment to the new dentures to take a few weeks. You'll likely return to Dr. Richardson's office once or twice to achieve optimal fit.
Find out more
Dr. Richardson and his caring staff in Kalamazoo, MI, will help you every step of the way as you transition to life with dentures. To arrange your consultation, please call the office at (269) 343-6907.