subject: Denture Options For Seniors [print this page] Denture Options For Seniors Denture Options For Seniors
The most common questions seniors have about their dental health typically involve dentures. The reality is that permanent teeth do not usually last an entire lifetime no matter how well they are taken care of. At some point, seniors must consider whether false teeth are an appropriate dental option for them. Dentures have been around for quite some time, but most people did not have access to them or could not afford them. People were forced to cope with the effects of missing teeth which included a restricted diet due to lack of chewing ability, chronic pain and infections. Thankfully, in this day and age, there are many different options for seniors who are considering getting dentures.
Advantages of Dentures
Some advantages to wearing dentures are: they allow one to chew food, they support the lips and cheeks, they boost self confidence, and they enable the wearer to remain phonetically accurate. Believe it or not, teeth are necessary to pronounce sounds correctly! Across the board, from eating to speaking, dentures can be a very positive addition for seniors who are missing several teeth.
Partial Dentures
There are two main types of dentures - partial dentures and complete dentures. Partial dentures are used when only a few teeth are missing. Removable partial dentures are more affordable, but fixed partial dentures, also known as bridges or crowns, are more stable and durable. The traditional partial denture is metal based, and while it is effective in securely holding in the prosthetic teeth, some patients complain that the visibility of the metal is unattractive, somewhat cumbersome and heavy. A couple of newer partial denture options are the Valplast Flexible partial denture and the Cu-Sil partial denture.
Valplast Partial Denture - The Valplast partial is fitted to the remaining tooth structures and soft tissue of the gum. Metal holdings are not used in the Valplast line which allows for a more lightweight, flexible and attractive fit.
Cu-Sil Overdenture - The Cu-Sil Overdenture is another partial denture option. This line of denture provides the prosthetic teeth but also covers the existing healthy teeth, using them as an anchor to provide support for the prosthetics. While the traditional metal partial dentures are less expensive, the Valplast and Cu-Sil are less conspicuous and might be a little more comfortable. Knowing what dental insurance for seniors is available can assist potential patients in choosing the option that's best for them.
Complete Dentures
Another denture option available is the complete denture. Complete dentures are for patients who have lost all of their teeth or had them all extracted and need an entire set of prosthetic teeth. Amazingly, it is possible to have all teeth extracted and receive a complete denture set in one day! Of course, the dentures will have to be relined a couple of times over the next year because the jaw bone shrinks back for several months before it is secure. The shrinkage causes the dentures to become loose and wobbly and will need to be adjusted until the jaw has fully stabilized. However, there are ways for dentists to decrease the bone loss while increasing the snugness of the denture. The most common procedure is to install anchors under the dentures.
Every senior who is considering dentures should see a dental professional who specializes in dentures. Dentists will help patients make the most educated choice in relation to their particular circumstance. Dentures can be very costly, so it is important to research the different dental insurance options for seniors. Remember that teeth are a crucially important part of the body. People use them to eat and talk, and if not taken care of they can cause an immense amount of pain. Dental insurance for seniors is very helpful for covering some of the cost for the dentures, and thankfully, there are a lot of dental plans available. To get information on dental insurance for seniors check out dentalinsuranceforseniors.com.
