What do you think of when you hear the word “dentures?” If you’re like most people, you likely picture an older adult taking an entire set of teeth out of their mouth.
While they’re frequently used by those in their fifties and beyond, there is no age restriction for dentures. Moreover, this treatment isn’t just for complete tooth replacement.
Let’s explore how dentures can benefit people of all ages and how to inquire about dentures in the Kansas City area.
What Are Dentures?
A denture is a removable prosthetic appliance that serves as a replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. This appliance consists of false teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base.
There are two types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures are used when a person is missing all of their teeth in an arch. Partial dentures, on the other hand, are used when a person has lost some teeth, but some natural teeth remain.
What Are the Benefits of Dentures?
Dentures provide several benefits to patients with missing teeth, including:
• Improved appearance and smile
• Increased self-esteem
• Improved speech
• Improved support of facial muscles
• Reduced signs of aging, such as sagging skin, due to increased support of your cheeks and lips
Who Wears Dentures?
As we mentioned above, there is no age restriction for dentures. That being said, dentures are more common in older adults. Why? Because an older person has had more time for tooth decay to manifest, which can result in tooth loss. In fact, nearly one in five adults 65 years old or older have lost all of their teeth, and many more have lost some of them.[*]
It’s important to understand, however, that tooth loss can also occur in younger people, and decay isn’t the only thing that can lead to missing teeth. People may also opt for dentures due to tooth loss from an accident or disease. At Dentures Plus Lenexa, we have denture clients as young as 30 years old.
Are Dentures the Best Option for Tooth Loss?
Dentures are one of the safest and most economical options for extensive tooth loss, however, they are primarily an esthetic appliance. They’re not ideal in terms of bite function, as they provide only 10-30% of the chewing power of natural teeth.
An excellent solution to increasing the stability and chewing function of dentures is to combine them with dental implants. For this process, titanium implants are placed into the jawbone and the dentures are affixed to the implants. With this treatment, the dentures can still be removed for cleaning and maintenance.
Top-Quality Dentures in Kansas City
At Dentures Plus Lenexa, we offer top-quality, modern dentures to people of all ages. Our dentures feature remarkable natural color, translucency, and durability, ensuring you look, feel, and function your best.
If you’re interested in determining if you’re a good candidate to receive partial or complete dentures in Kansas City, we welcome you to contact our office. Dr. Jeremy Knewtson and his staff are dedicated to helping you achieve the functional, beautiful smile you’ve been dreaming of.