Old Ideas, New Technology
We’ll bet you didn’t know that dentures have been around since before the 15th century. Over the past five hundred years, dental science has advanced tremendously. Today, we have natural-looking and comfortable-fitting dentures that restore appearance, speech, and allow for a healthy diet of hard-to-chew foods.
Experience You Can Trust
Dentures replace all of the teeth, while partial dentures fit with existing teeth like a puzzle piece. Dr. Tang has been Long Beach’s denture dentist for many years and his well-qualified to create denturesand partials that feel as great as they look. His LVI training proves indispensible when combining the artistry and science of denture design.
Full dentures and partial dentures (or simply “partials”) can make a world of difference on a person’s quality of life. If a person has lost several teeth — or all of their teeth — it can dramatically alter the appearance of the face. They no longer look like the person they used to be. Plus, the simple pleasure of enjoying a meal is often turned into a difficult task. Dentures and partials can fill in these gaps in a person’s mouth, restoring their appearance and their enjoyment of life. Dr. Andy Tang in Long Beach, CA can work with you to decide the best option for restoring your smile with dentures or partials.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are a removable device that mimics the patient’s natural teeth and gums. Dentures and partials are custom-made to fit the patient’s mouth perfectly. The replacement teeth are usually attached to a metal or plastic base that matches the color of the gums. They look just like the person’s natural teeth and support the facial structures, making them appear younger. Your custom-made dentures or partials can be constructed from the following materials:
- Hard resin
- Plastic
- Porcelain
A set of dentures will last a patient about five years before they need to be replaced, as long as they are cared for properly. It’s also important to note that dentures and partials are more fragile than a patient’s natural teeth.
Are Dentures or Partials Right for Me?
If you are missing multiple teeth, you are probably a good candidate for dentures. Dr. Tang will determine whether a patient has sufficient gum tissue to support an implant, which dentures can be attached to. Certain oral health conditions can also be indicators that a person could benefit greatly from dentures or partials. These conditions can include the following:
Painful toothaches: This can indicate tooth decay that is impacting the nerves in the center of each tooth
Gum disease: Serious cases of gingivitis or periodontal disease can lead to painful, swollen gums
Cracked or decaying teeth: Extensive pain while eating could make someone a good candidate for dentures or partials
Indigestion: This can be a sign that the above conditions are present and making a negative impact on overall health
How Partial Dentures Work
Partials frequently have some type of clasp that allows them to be attached in the mouth. This keeps them in place during the day, and allows you to take them out for cleaning and storing them at night. Dr. Tang may also recommend crowns or caps on your natural teeth, to help ensure that the partial denture fits your mouth perfectly and comfortably.
Being Fitted for Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are fitted in one of two ways — conventional or immediately. Here is the difference between these methods:
Conventional Dentures: Using this method, all of the patient’s remaining teeth are removed. Then, two to three months will pass to allow the gums time to heal before the dentures are placed in the mouth. This is the “conventional” method because it’s the most common way that full dentures are fitted.
Immediate Dentures: If there are certain nutritional concerns present, a patient might be fitted with a short-term set of immediate dentures. In this case, the dentures are placed in the mouth immediately, and the gums heal with the dentures in place. A more permanent set of dentures is fitted after the gums fully heal.
Benefits of Dentures and Partials
- Natural appearance of the smile and facial structures are restored
- Improved smile
- Restored self-confidence
- Improved health, because patients can now properly chew foods for digestion
- Strengthened mouth and facial structures
- Contact Dr. Andy Tang for Dentures & Partials
If you need dentures or partials to restore your health and your smile, contact Dr. Andy Tang’s office in Long Beach today. Call (562) 498-2354 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
