Dentures

• Dentures - Dentures replace multiple missing teeth at one time.  There are two types of dentures.  

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• Complete dentures replace all teeth on the upper or lower jaw. Dentures can restore the ability to chew and improve appearance.  Because complete dentures only rest on the gum tissue the chewing function is often greatly decreased compared to natural teeth (they are only about 20% as effective at chewing).  Some people do very well with complete dentures, but they are often the minority, and many people find denture use a big lifestyle change.

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• Partial dentures attach to natural teeth, and are often more comfortable, and allow for better chewing efficiency.  The major downside is that the teeth supporting the denture are still susceptible to decay as the denture prevents the natural cleaning of the teeth by the tongue or lips.  So exceptional brushing and flossing is necessary to enjoy the long term benefits of the partial denture.

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