If you have had unsupported dentures for several years, you may have grown tired of them shifting while you eat. You might even have noticed, recently, that your dentures don’t fit as well as they once did. Unfortunately, unsupported dentures can sometimes make it difficult to chew comfortably and confidently, especially over time. That is because after tooth loss, the jaw can begin to shrink, causing even once well-fitting dentures to become uncomfortable, making it far more difficult to eat or even smile confidently. Fortunately, modern dentistry provides a number of ways to address tooth loss through dentures made to function similarly to your natural smile, before tooth loss!
When Are Unsupported Dentures the Answer?
If you have only lost one or a few teeth, you may be interested in unsupported partial dentures, which can be used to effectively and affordably address tooth loss. Dentures remain one of the most popular forms of prosthetic dentistry, because they are one of the fastest and most affordable ways to complete a smile after tooth loss.
If you have lost most of your teeth, full dentures are available to complete an entire arch, either upper or lower. In some instances, especially those of many missing teeth and/or unhealthy remaining teeth, a restorative dentist may actually recommend an extraction of the remaining teeth, in order to make full dentures a viable option.
In the case of full dentures, many patients are able to wear them without using denture adhesives, since they are created to snugly fit within the natural curve of your mouth. Still, some patients feel more comfortable using the adhesive to help secure full dentures as well as partial dentures, which are generally worn with adhesive.
