Why Many Seniors Prefer Dentures to Natural Teeth

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Why Many Seniors Prefer Dentures to Natural Teeth

For many adults, dentures are a convenient option for replacing missing teeth. Over 70% of U.S. adults experience some form of tooth loss in their lifetime. This is significant and despite the advancements in modern dental care, people are still likely to lose adult teeth. Fortunately, there are a variety of replacement options that give patients control over how they would like to proceed.

Dr. Patel is an experienced dentist that helps patients maintain optimal oral health. Through preventative care, he can oftentimes avoid oral infections and gum disease, two common reasons why teeth fall out. Additionally, he can restore teeth that have become damaged in an accident and save the need for pulling it out by the use of cosmetic bonding.

For those that have lost teeth, there are many ways to replace them. Cosmetic dentistry solutions like dental implants have gained in popularity as they provide a way for patients to maintain their active lifestyle. The challenge is that this is a surgical procedure done over the course of several months, and many people must find the time out of their busy schedules to commit to and complete treatment

Seniors that are suffering from other health issues or on medications may benefit from simply wearing dentures as this is a non-invasive procedure. Many seniors prefer dentures to natural teeth because of how easy they are to care for. By removing them at night, cleaning and soaking them, dentures can stay fresh looking and smelling, and there is no risk of an oral infection developing. This is extremely important because poor oral health has been linked to a variety of other health conditions. For example, those with an oral infection are at a greater risk of having a stroke. Heart disease is also tied to gum disease with 91 percent of those suffering from a heart condition also having poor gum health. Even memory loss can be attributed to exposed roots after tooth loss. Wearing dentures prevents these potential complications from arising and also decreases the number of visits to the dentist per year, one less appointment for seniors to worry about scheduling.

There is more than one type of denture. Full dentures are worn as a replacement for the upper and lower teeth. A full set of dentures can be popped in and out of place on a daily basis or as convenient. Caregivers often prefer this option since they can participate in cleaning them far easier than brushing and flossing a full set of natural teeth. They are more comfortable than ever and have a natural appearance, making them a viable solution for replacing teeth.

A partial set is worn when a patient needs to replace one or several teeth. They are created in a dental lab using a mold of a patient’s mouth so that the size and shape match perfectly. This ensures that no one can tell the difference between the natural teeth and dentures. They are secured in place using a metal bracket like system that is attached to the surrounding teeth, making them stable and durable.

To learn more about options for replacing missing teeth, call Dr. Patel's office today.