A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and the tissues connected to those teeth. It is made of acrylic plastic and sometimes porcelain and metal materials. A denture closely resembles natural gum tissue and teeth.
Complete dentures replace all of the teeth, while partial dentures fill in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevent other teeth from shifting position. Complete dentures are “immediate” or “conventional.”
A crown is a tooth-shaped cover placed over a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed. Crowns may be placed for several reasons. Usually the tooth has been broken or severely damaged by decay. As a result, a filling can’t replace enough of the tooth or make the tooth strong enough. A crown may hold together parts of a cracked tooth. It also can be used to hold a bridge in place. Crowns can be used to improve appearance as well. They may be placed to cover misshapen or badly discolored teeth.
Missing teeth not only make talking and chewing more difficult, but they can also cause other problems over time. Teeth adjacent to the space in your mouth can eventually shift into the empty space, which can affect your bite and lead to gum disease or other disorders such as TMJ (temporomandibular joint issues).
One way to take care of a gap caused by a missing tooth is with a dental bridge. There are two types of bridges: removable and permanent. Removable dental bridges, also called partial dentures, can be taken out and cleaned, and permanent dental bridges, sometimes called dentures.
Our dentist will recommend the best bridge to keep your mouth at its healthiest and you at your happiest. With proper care and dental hygiene, your bridge will keep you smiling for many years to come.