Benefits of Dentures vs. Bridges

When you visit your dentist with the issue of missing teeth, you may be offered a few different options about ways to fill the gap. Two standbys are dentures and bridges. Your dentist in Cleveland Heights, OH at Easton Dental can help advise you as to which might be best suited for your particular circumstance. But if given the choice, here are the benefits of each.

Pros of Dentures

Even with the advent of dental implants, dentures are still one of the most popular choices. They offer several benefits to wearers, such as:

  • Accessibility –Dentures in Cleveland Heights, OH can be worn by virtually anyone who needs them, as they are not dependent on factors like bone density, age, overall health and other criteria.
  • Non-invasive Treatment – No surgery is required to get dentures.
  • No Anesthesia Needed – It’s fairly painless to get dentures, so no anesthesia is required beyond basic local numbing agents, possibly.
  • Complete Oral Rehabilitation – Even if you have a full arch missing, dentures fit the bill, providing a complete oral rehabilitation solution.
  • Long History – Dentures do the job. It’s been proven over hundreds of years that this solution works well to restore function and appearance.

Pros of Bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed solution that’s anchored to existing teeth abutting the empty space. Benefits include:

  • Permanent –Bridges in Cleveland Heights, OH can be permanent in place as long as the abutting teeth stay healthy and the bridge is treated properly by the patient.
  • No Special Cleaning Needed – Unlike removable dentures, bridges don’t have to be placed in any special cleaning fluid at night. They stay put in place.
  • Easier to Adjust to – Dentures can take some getting used to, but patients usually feel instantly comfortable with bridges, since there’s no palate piece inside the mouth.
  • Bone Structure Maintenance – Unlike dentures, which can sometimes lead to the deterioration of the jawbone over time, bridges can help maintain the natural bone structure of the jaw by distributing the force in your bite more effectively.

Together, you and your dentist can decide which option is ideal for your personal situation. In the meantime, this comparison article will help you to make an informed decision between dentures and bridges.

Tips For Adjusting to Dentures

If you’re new to dentures in Cleveland Heights, OH, you may already know that there’s an adjustment period. After all, this is something that sits in your mouth, so it’s only natural that it takes some getting used to! With some patience and the help of the following tips, you should be able to adjust to your new dentures in a relatively short period of time.

Tips For Adjusting to Dentures

 

Be Patient With Yourself

Don’t get frustrated and think that you’ll never get used to your dentures. It takes everyone some time to get used to them, but eventually, it will happen. If millions of people around the world can successfully wear dentures, so can you!

Wear Them

The key to adjusting to new dentures is to wear them, even when you feel like you need a break from them. You won’t get used to them if they’re sitting in their storage case on the bathroom sink.

Practice Talking

In a quiet place alone, practice speaking while wearing the dentures. You might find that you have a lisp or have a hard time pronouncing some vowels or consonants, but as your tongue gets used to the denture, things will improve.

Practice Eating

Again alone, practice biting, chewing and drinking water with your dentures in. Ideally, the dentures should give you back full functionality in all these departments so you can eat most of the foods that you enjoyed previously.

Keep Hydrated

Dry mouth can be a common issue for new denture wearers, which can cause discomfort and make it harder to keep your dentures in place. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help keep your mouth moist and improve the fit and comfort of your dentures.

Inspect Your Appearance

One thing that new dentures wearers worry about is what they look like. Don’t be shy about smiling at yourself in the mirror and looking close-up, so you can see exactly what others will see. This can help you to become more confident about wearing your dentures in public.

Use these tips to help you get used to your dentures. For more information and helpful tips, contact your Cleveland Heights, OH dentist at Easton Dental