At the practice of Dr. Clint Bruyere in Longview, TX, patients who are faced with tooth loss may wish to seek appropriate tooth restorations for their smile. If you are looking for options to replace your lost teeth, achieving your new smile with full or partial dentures could be a great option for you.

What are dentures?

Dr. Clint Bruyere encourages patients to consider the benefits of dentures for replacing missing teeth. Dentures are a great option for many of our patients who are interested in economical tooth replacement modalities that look and function like natural teeth. There are three types of dentures that dentists use, including:

Partial dentures – Partial dentures are beneficial for patients who are missing one or more teeth. These restorations are very economical and are often covered by dental insurance plans either in part or in full. These restorations are made to snap into place using the existing teeth for support.

• Partials are easy to take out and put in
• They are simple to care for and clean
• They are made of a metal and acrylic framework and are custom-fit to slide false teeth in the spaces left behind for a great fit and feel

Full dentures – Another option for dentures are full dentures. Full dentures are dentures used to replace a full arch of teeth. They are made of acrylic and are custom-fit to a patient’s smile using impressions of the mouth after all teeth have been lost or removed. Then, a ceramist fabricates the new teeth to match the patient’s expectations of their new smile. These dentures are made to look as natural as possible and are kept in place with dental adhesives or natural suction.

Implant-supported dentures – For patients who want to improve the functionality of their full dentures, implant-supported dentures may be a viable option. These are dentures that snap into place with dental implants placed along the dental ridge to provide stabilization and strength. Implant-supported dentures are an ideal choice for patients replacing all their teeth and are a permanent solution that can help in maintaining natural bone of the jaw. This is because the implants, made of titanium, help in stimulating the natural growth of bone to hold the implant in place. Patients need to have sufficient bone structure in place in order to obtain this option. This can be determined with a series of x-rays to check the jaw and decide if patients are appropriate candidates. Without enough bone, the procedure may not be successful. Patients serious about using this option can discuss the option of bone grafting, which can help in building up the jaw and preparing it for placement of implants in the future.

What other options are available?

If patients do not want to use dentures to restore their smile, they have other options that they can discuss with Dr. Clint Bruyere. These may include bridges and dental implants.

Bridges are restorations that are made with false teeth and crowns and utilize surrounding teeth to support them. This method of replacement is best for single or multiple teeth in a row.

Dental implants are a great choice for patients who are seeking a more permanent solution. These restorations are placed directly into the bone of the jaw during oral surgery. Bone wraps around the implant and stabilizes it. The dental implant can then be restored with a new tooth in a few different ways. Implants can hold crowns, bridges, or dentures, depending on a patient’s specific needs.

How do you care for dentures?

Dentures are simple to care for:

• Removable options are taken out and can be brushed just like natural teeth and soaked in denture cleaning solution
• Non-removable options such as implant-supported dentures require regular brushing and should be evaluated by the dentist every six months to ensure they are firmly in place and that your smile is healthy

Interested in discussing your options for tooth replacement?

Contact the practice of Dr. Clint Bruyere to find out more about dentures and other alternative solutions for replacing your lost teeth. Patients in the Longview, TX area can work with the team by calling (903) 708-6116 or visiting the office at 444 Forest Square, Suite G. Our practice is always accepting new patients who are interested in quality dental treatments at an affordable price!

Share This Article