We’re a nation of gap-toothed individuals.
Indeed, there are 120 million Americans missing at least one of their pearly whites. According to the same source, 36 million have no teeth at all. That’s a lot of people walking around with bare gums. It’s no laughing matter. Dental hygiene is of vital importance to overall health. Missing teeth have a detrimental impact on it. That’s why it’s so important to take active steps to plug any gaps in your teeth as soon as possible. Removable partial dentures are an effective way of doing exactly that. But what are they and why should you consider them to solve the problem? Keep reading to find out. What Are Removable Partial Dentures? You may never have heard of removable partial dentures. They’re a synonym for artificial tooth appliances. But you might not have heard of those either. Don’t worry. The idea is fairly straightforward. Both terms refer to artificial teeth used to plug a gap in your natural ones. Imagine losing your two front teeth. Now, there are numerous ways to replace them with modern dentistry. However, a common approach is to utilize an artificial tooth appliance. Using a combination of metal and/or resin for the base, acrylic for the gums and either porcelain or acrylic for the false teeth, a dentist would design and create a replacement to fill the gap. Held firmly in place using clasps, no-one would know you’re missing a tooth at all. Let’s consider the term ‘removable partial denture’ for a second. You’ve probably already guessed why it received the name. After all, the clasps we mentioned mean you can remove them whenever you like (hence the removable). And they’re only used to plug certain gaps in your teeth, rather than providing a full set of teeth (hence the partial). They’re a relatively easy fix for what can be a distressing dental problem. Nicely, they pack a whole host of advantages too. 7 Key Advantages of Removable Partial DenturesYou might not be filled with joy at the idea of getting dentures. Thankfully, the experience of removable partial dentures is unlikely to be as bad as you imagine! Far from it, in fact. They offer a host of benefits. Here are the main ones. 1. Greater Self-Confidence Dental hygiene is held in high regard in our society. We glorify straight, clean teeth of the brightest white. We judge unfairly the stained, crooked, gap-filled mouths of others. That’s why it’s easy to become self-conscious when we develop teeth problems. Braces, cracked and missing teeth all possess a self-confidence crushing quality. Having gaps in your mouth can be a particular cause of concern. Replacing missing teeth using removable partial dentures helps address the issue. With a full set of teeth restored, self-confidence can flourish again. And remember, smiling makes you live longer. It’s of utmost importance! 2. Less-Invasive Now, to be eligible for these dentures you need at least a few remaining healthy teeth. Assuming these are in place, you’re essentially good to go. You don’t have to suffer an agonizing dental procedure to have them made and fitted. There may some minor surgery called for. But it’s nothing in comparison to other procedures. It’s unlikely that any drilling and screwing is required. The dentures simply attach to the teeth that are already in place. 3. Restored Comfort Missing teeth can be uncomfortable. Well, they might be fine most of the time. But when it comes to eating the exposed gums can cause discomfort. Chewing and swallowing can become annoyingly irksome. There’s nothing worse than dental problems removing the enjoyment of eating and drinking. Further, in some situations, speaking can become harder too. It may depend on the location of your missing teeth. However, it isn’t unheard of for people to develop unwanted lisps, slurs, and whistles. Having artificial tooth appliances made up will remove the issue. 4. Easy to Adapt Full dentures are a daunting prospect. Suddenly you go from your own set of teeth to a total set of prosthetics. It is no longer the mouth you’ve known your entire life, and become accustomed to eating, drinking and speaking with. Adapting to full dentures can be tough. But that’s less of a problem with removable partial ones. After all, you may still have the vast majority of your teeth intact and still in situ. Adjusting to two, three, or four new teeth (or however many you require) will never be as difficult as a full set. 5. Added Dental Protection Missing teeth don’t just affect the aesthetic of your mouth. Far from it. Further dental issues can stem from the gap created. The gums are exposed, and space is created. Bacteria can gather and cause gum-related problems. Likewise, the surrounding teeth can move into the newfound space they have. This leads to misalignment and bite-related issues. It’s important to plug the gap somehow, if possible. These dentures do just that. They protect the gums from food and drink and anything else that enters your mouth, stopping other teeth moving in the process. 6. Possible Additions Some people get unlucky. Their teeth just have a habit of falling out. What starts as a missing duo of teeth may become three, four or five of them. Thankfully, that isn’t a problem with artificial tooth appliances. Let’s say you’ve had them made up after the initial incident. You can often update the same denture to plug additional gaps that arise in due course. 7. Affordable and Easy to Clean There are financial incentives too. Compared with other options, partial dentures are an affordable way to solve the problem of missing teeth. You plug the gap and enjoy the benefits we’ve just addressed, all at a fraction of what you may expect to pay. Finally, it’s worth mentioning quickly that they’re easy to clean. You simply pop the dentures out and clean them at regular intervals. Your dentist will explain how and when to do it. Time to Wrap Up There you have it: 7 key benefits of removable partial dentures that you’re sure to enjoy. Millions of people around the United States are walking through life with gaps in their teeth. But they might not know just how detrimental that can be to their overall dental health. It’s important to fill any gaps as soon as possible. Partial dentures are a great, cost-effective way of doing it. Hopefully, the information above has convinced you of their many benefits! Like this piece? Want some further inspiration? Click here for all of our inspirational pieces.
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