Upper False Teeth Options
When adults are missing one or more of their permanent teeth, it affects more than their smile. Missing teeth can cause issues when you chew and the types of foods you can eat in the first place. Your ability to speak and communicate clearly can be affected when you do not have all your teeth. Finally, you can experience decreased confidence and feel less self-assured both socially and professionally. The combination of all these consequences of missing teeth can become unbearable for people so they turn to the dentist to talk about tooth replacement options.
Best Alternatives to Dentures
Dentures are one of the oldest dental treatments but they have seen modern improvements that reduce their common complications. Instead of turning to dentures to replace multiple missing teeth, dentists can recommend dental implants, overdentures, and dental bridges. The dentist will need to review your overall health, chronic medical conditions, dental history, jaw bone health, number of missing teeth and location of missing teeth. Once the dentist has a complete picture, the dentist can help you on your way to replacing your missing teeth and an improved quality of life.
Dental Implants
One of the most common and popular alternatives to dentures to replacing upper teeth is a dental implant. These are titanium or zirconia posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone where they fuse with the bone as they heal into place. Then they are topped with an attachment called an abutment where the false tooth attaches to the implanted post. Finally a prosthetic tooth is placed on top of the abutment and is secured in place by the post. The process from start to finish for the dental implant can be long as your mouth needs to heal between procedures. Dental implants are worth the investment and the patience required because they are a solution that can last more than 20 years. The implant post acts like a false tooth root allowing your jaw bone to stay healthy and allowing you to eat the foods you love.
Overdentures
When you are missing more than one or two teeth on your upper jaw, the dentist may suggest overdentures. These will allow you to replace many missing teeth with one prosthetic instead of replacing each one with a separate dental implant. You already know that traditional dentures for the upper jaw use a combination of suction and denture adhesive to stay in place with part of the device covering the roof of your mouth. This added bulk can cause you to have a decreased ability to taste your food and have trouble speaking clearly. If the dentist combines a few strategically placed dental implants to support and secure the dentures, the device can be smaller and stay in place better without any additives. Overdentures can even use remaining teeth with or without a combination of dental implants to keep the dentures stable through meals and conversations all day. Overdentures are more comfortable than traditional dentures and they can help contribute to sustained jawbone health as compared to traditional dentures.
Dental Bridges
If you are missing a single tooth on your upper jaw, then you could review dental bridges as an option to replace your missing tooth. The dental bridge is a false tooth held in place by being attached to the surrounding teeth or just one adjacent tooth. The downside to dental bridges is that the healthy teeth that are being used as anchors for the false tooth need to be damaged for the dental crown to attach to them. The dentist will need to remove the surface enamel for the adhesive to set, so those formerly healthy teeth will no longer be able to be without crowns going forward. Additionally, without their enamel as a protection, the teeth are more susceptible to decay and further damage. Unlike dentures, dental bridges will not move throughout the day and are stable in their place.
Types of False Teeth for Upper Jaws
- Traditional Dentures These dentures will replace all your missing teeth with one apparatus by sitting on top of the gums. They can be used about 8-12 weeks after any remaining teeth have been removed and the gums have healed.
- Partial Dentures If you are not missing all your teeth on your upper jaw and still have healthy natural teeth, then you can look to partial dentures to replace the missing teeth with one smaller device. The base is pink colored to match your gums, a metal piece to attach to the remaining healthy teeth, and then the false teeth to replace the missing teeth. These are removable, unlike dental bridges, and they can prevent the remaining teeth from shifting in your mouth.
- Custom Dentures Just like anything custom, you can expect a higher price for these dentures but you can also expect a more natural looking tooth replacement solution. These will specifically address your needs as they are made to fit just your mouth.
- Immediate Dentures These can be placed the same day that your remaining teeth are removed, but they are not able to be used on everyone who wants dentures.
- Implant Supported Dentures A combination of dental implants and dentures, the dental implant offers a secure foundation for the dentures to remain in place.
- Snap-in Dentures Either with dental implants or with anchors to existing teeth, snap-in dentures are a way to keep dentures in place when you have a healthy enough jaw bone to support dental implants. There is a place on the dentures that is designed to fit the attachment specifically on the implant’s abutment.
- Overdentures These sit on top of the gums and attach to dental implants but they are removable at home.
- Economy Dentures The most cost effective solution for people looking to replace an upper jaw of missing teeth with one piece of equipment. These dentures are generic and mass produced so they will not offer the comfort that comes with a more custom denture. Economy dentures will require denture adhesive to remain in place and need to be removed every night for cleaning and moisturizing.