Dentures have been around for centuries. Of course, as you might imagine, modern-day dentistry has certainly improved the look, feel, and design of dentures to make them feel more comfortable and look more like real teeth. Of course, our East Lansing, MI, dentist, Dr. Thomas Faiver, wants to make sure that you get your full smile back. If you are considering whether or not dentures could help you do that, then you’ve come to the right place.

The two main types of dentures are complete and partial. Just as the name suggests, partial dentures are designed to replace some missing teeth and are ideal for people who still have some healthy natural teeth. Those patients who are missing all of their teeth will require complete dentures to replace all of their teeth.

As you might imagine, partial and full dentures work in different ways. Both prosthetics contain false teeth that are made to look just like real teeth and these teeth will sit on a foundation that resembles natural gum tissue. Partial dentures stay in place thanks to metal clasps or attachments that fit around neighboring healthy teeth to hold them in place.

Full dentures, on the other hand, are custom-made to provide the ultimate fit so that when they sit on top of the gum tissue they create the proper amount of suction to hold them in place. Of course, it is natural for full dentures to move or shift around in your mouth when chewing or speaking. This is when using denture adhesives can come in handy for holding your dentures in place.

Of course, if our East Lansing cosmetic dentist needs to perform a tooth extraction we will need to allow your gums time to heal properly after the tooth has been pulled before we replace the tooth. In the meantime we don’t want you to be without teeth, so we will fit you with immediate dentures. Immediate dentures are only temporary and you’ll only need to wear them until your gums heal and your custom-made permanent dentures are created.

Some patients choose to get dental implants first so that the implants, which are placed within the jawbone, can then support and hold dentures in place. This is a great option for a healthy individual who may be looking for a long-term and reliable tooth replacement to treat their complete tooth loss. Implants will prevent full dentures from moving around in your mouth, so you can feel confident whenever you bite into your favorite foods that your new teeth are going to always stay in place.

Are you interested in getting dentures in East Lansing, MI? Do you want to find out if you are an ideal candidate for dentures or the other tooth replacement options we offer? If so, call our dental office today to schedule your no-risk consultation.