Did you know that about 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth?
If you’re self-conscious about the gap in your smile, you’re not alone. Many Americans have restored their smile with artificial teeth. But how do you know which artificial teeth types are out there, let alone which one is right for you?
Keep reading. This article will explain the best artificial teeth options so you can start smiling again.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are for individuals who have lost their entire set of teeth. While these artificial teeth are temporary, they’re a good solution for many people.
Your complete dentures attach to a flesh-colored strip of resin that fits over your gums. Since your mouth has a unique shape and size, your dentures will be custom-made to ensure a proper fit. If your dentures don’t fit properly, you’ll suffer from:
- Jaw pain
- Gum bleeding
- Soreness when you eat
- Difficulty speaking
Dentures require an adhesive to attach to your gumline and prevent them from slipping. There are a wide variety of adhesive products available, so try a few to find the one that works for you.
Partial Dentures
For those who are missing only a few pearly whites, you don’t need a complete artificial set of teeth. That’s where partial dentures come in.
Partial dentures fill in the few teeth that you are missing. Instead of using an adhesive to attach to the gums, partial dentures clip to the remaining teeth to give you more stability when you chew.
This is a popular solution for those who have only lost a few teeth through tooth decay or an accident. Partial dentures restore your missing teeth for a relatively low cost. You may still need to adjust the way they fit over time.
Dental Implants
If you’re tired of taking your dentures out daily, you might want a form of permanent artificial teeth. Dental implants are better than traditional dentures because they are attached directly to the bone of your jaw, so they never need to be removed. In fact, you can treat them just like regular teeth.
Another advantage of dental implants is that you never have to adjust their fit. Dentures have to fit properly, which may require a long fitting process. You’ll also have to re-size them over time, especially if you gain or lose weight.
Dental implants avoid these issues. Though they’re more expensive up front, you’ll avoid painful fitting problems in the future.
Find the Right Artificial Teeth For You
Missing teeth shouldn’t mean missing out on the best parts of life. When you find the best artificial teeth option for you, you can get back to eating, smiling, and feeling as confident as you deserve to.
With these tips, you’ll know the pros and cons of the most common types of artificial teeth. Now get out there and get smiling!
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