1-800-PAINLESSA relative of mine once told me that the day he got his dentures was one of the happiest days of his life. I was quite shocked by this because in my opinion, I didn’t think anyone would ever be excited about getting dentures. He insisted it was such a joyous day for him because for the first time since he could remember, he had a full set of teeth and a beautiful smile reflecting back when he looked in the mirror. Dentures can do so much for anyone who’s lived life with missing, broken, or unhealthy teeth.
Dentures give you the chance at a brand new and beautiful smile. Many people feel self- conscious if they’ve lived life with missing teeth that were lost due to injury, decay, or gum disease. Often a person’s smile is the first thing we notice when we meet someone new. Did you know that having missing teeth can actually age you? Replacing your missing teeth with a denture can benefit your appearance by adding support to sagging facial features which restores a more youthful look.
Aside from affecting your appearance, missing teeth can also affect your speech. Sometimes when a person is missing multiple teeth, especially in the front of the mouth, it can be difficult for people to understand them when they talk. Having a full denture to replace missing teeth can restore confidence in many areas by improving your speech and appearance.
Of course, having dentures is a drastic change and there is much to learn about the process before you get started. The first thing you need to do if you think dentures might be right for you is to visit your dentist. It is important to note that you should take care to visit only a licensed dentist who works closely with an experienced dental lab. Your first step would be to set up a consultation with your dentist to discuss your wishes and your options for a new smile. If you need to find a dentist, you can visit www.SmileMichigan.com to find a member of the Michigan Dental Association in your area.
At your consultation appointment, your dentist will determine if you need a full denture, in which case any remaining teeth in your mouth would be removed and you would have complete upper and lower full dentures made. Your dentist would make a model of your mouth through the use of dental impressions and he or she would work closely with a dental laboratory to have your dentures made to your dentist’s specifications.
There is also an option called a “removable partial denture” which is useful for people who have lost several teeth but still have a number of healthy teeth remaining that do not need to be removed. In this case, the partial denture would fit snugly between your remaining natural teeth in order to give your mouth a full and beautiful smile.
Together you and your dentist will determine what option is best for you. Both you and your dentist have the same goal: a healthy and comfortable smile.
Bright Side Dental is a dental group with locations in Sterling Heights, Livonia, Canton, and Royal Oak, Michigan. Visit www.BrightSideDental.com.
