One of the most exciting thing about dentistry is that it is constantly evolving. New treatment techniques and technologies all our O’Fallon dentists to provide our patients with state-of-the-art care that far surpasses what was possible in years past. One treatment that has progressed quite a bit over time is the denture. Keep reading to learn more about how dentures have changed over the years.
We’ve all heard the historic fun-fact that George Washington wore dentures made of wood, and while this is only partly true (he had many sets of dentures, which included metal as well as natural human teeth), it does reflect how rudimentary colonial dentures were. Thankfully, we now have access to high-quality materials that allow us to craft natural-looking and feel dental prostheses.
Modern dentures are crafted from dental-grade acrylics. The visible tooth portion of these dentures can be shaped and shaded to suit the patient’s aesthetic needs. The bases of conventional dentures are molded to fit the patient’s jawbone and gum tissue, and then shaded to look like natural oral tissue. This type of denture sits on top of the patient’s gum tissue, and is held in place due to the customized fit of the base as well dental adhesive when necessary.
The latest advancements in denture technologies have empowered our dentists to permanently anchor prostheses in the patient’s mouth. Using a few strategically placed dental implant roots, our team can completely restore a patient’s smile with a permanent full or partial denture. As you would imagine, implant-stabilized dentures improve the functionality of the denture as well as the appearance.
Our O’Fallon denture dentists are here to answer any questions that you may have about tooth replacement treatment options, including dentures and dental implants. As always, you can reach our team by calling our office or by submitting a question and your contact info on our Contact Us page.