Today’s tooth-replacement options are better and more numerous than they’ve ever been. That’s true whether you’re wavering between dental implants and dentures, or just trying to decide between the various types of dentures now available. At Highland Advanced Dental Care, we offer several denture options to give you a beautiful and complete smile. Indeed, modern dentures are comfortable, well-fitting, natural looking — and are an excellent option for many people.

To schedule a consultation, call our Highland Township, MI office at 248-329-3552.

Dentures: a History

Maybe you remember being scared off by Grandpa’s “teeth” sitting in a glass of water at bedtime. But did you know that dentures in some form were around long before Grandpa — or even Grandpa’s grandpa?

Dentures have been around at least since 700 BC, when the Etruscans of Italy constructed them out of real teeth (human or animal) and metal bands. The first wooden dentures are believed to have been made in Japan in the 16th century. In the 19th century, porcelain and gold dentures came onto the market. Needless to say, while some of these false teeth may have been considered luxuries at the time (and certainly were enormously helpful to their wearers), they were not nearly as easy to wear, comfortable, or natural looking as today’s dentures. Denture technology has come a long way — and continues to evolve.

If you are missing teeth, Highland Advanced Dental Care has a denture technology that will restore your smile.

Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures are, like Grandpa’s, completely removeable. But thanks to advances in our ability to create accurate images and measurements of your mouth, today’s “traditional” dentures are better fitting and more comfortable. Dr. LoCascio may recommend you replace your teeth with traditional dentures if your jawbone is not thick or healthy enough to support dental implants.

Traditional dentures consist of replacement teeth set into a gum-colored mold that’s perfectly fitted to your own gums. A nontoxic adhesive keeps the dentures in place. A full denture is made if you need to replace an entire arch of teeth — upper or lower. A partial denture can be constructed for patients who still have some of their original teeth. Partial dentures may be held in place by clasps that attach to your real teeth.

Implant-retained Dentures

Implant-retained dentures combine removable dentures with the stability of dental implants. First, Dr. LoCascio will surgically place dental implants into your jawbone. Your custom-crafted denture will attach to the implants with a ball and socket system. While the dentures are removable for easy cleaning, they are secured into place with dental implants, so they won’t slide or fall out. Like with natural teeth, the impact of chewing and biting goes to the bone and not the gums.

Implant-supported Dentures

Like implant-retained dentures, implant-supported dentures are attached to dental implants surgically inserted into the jawbone. But these dentures attach to the dental implant via a bar system rather than ball and socket. Unlike implant-retained dentures, implant-supported dentures cannot be removed by you. This makes them even more stable in your jaw.

Temporary Dentures

As your dentures must be custom made, it can take time for them to come back from the lab. But at Highland Advanced Dental Care, we don’t want you to have to go around with missing teeth while you wait! We can provide you with temporary dentures to fill in your smile until your new custom teeth are ready.

No more living with the embarrassment of missing teeth. And don’t forget: dentures do far more than give you a full smile back. They prevent your cheeks and face from getting that telltale sunken look, they allow you to chew and speak properly, and they enable you to eat a wider variety of foods.

To schedule a consultation at Highland Advanced Dental Care of Highland Township, MI, call 248-329-3552. Or request an appointment through our online contact form.