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Category : Dentures

Complete Dentures Vs. Partial Dentures in Bloomfield: Differences You Need to Know

Posted on: July 14, 2025 by bv_digital

Dentures are removable oral appliances designed to restore or replace missing teeth, thereby improving their function and appearance. 

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, over 36 million Americans are edentulous, and approximately 90% of them wear dentures. Choosing the right type of denture is essential, not just for comfort, but for your overall oral health. The right fit can support your jaw, prevent further tooth loss, and improve quality of life.

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between full and partial dentures and cover topics like:

  • Who needs full vs. partial dentures
  • How each type is fitted and maintained
  • Comfort, appearance, and cost considerations
  • When to speak with your dentist about denture options

Let’s take the confusion out of dentures and help you make the best choice for your smile.

What Are Full Dentures?

Full dentures, also known as complete dentures, are removable dental appliances designed to replace all the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw, or both. They help restore your ability to chew, speak clearly, and smile with confidence when natural teeth are missing.

When Are Full Dentures Recommended?

Full dentures are typically recommended when:

  • All teeth in the upper or lower arch have been lost or removed.
  • A patient has severe decay, gum disease, or injury that makes saving natural teeth impossible.
  • Other restorative options, such as implants or bridges, may not be suitable due to health or budget concerns.

If you’re considering full dentures in Bloomfield, NM, a dental professional will first evaluate your oral health and discuss the best option based on your needs.

How Are They Made and Fitted?

The process starts with impressions of your gums, followed by custom design and fitting:

  • A dental lab creates the dentures to match the shape of your mouth.
  • Your dentist ensures a snug, comfortable fit and may adjust them over time.

Materials and Function

Full dentures are usually made from:

  • Acrylic resin (for the base and teeth)
  • Sometimes porcelain (for a more natural appearance)

They rest on your gums and create suction to stay in place. With proper care, they function well for everyday use, such as eating and speaking.

What Are Partial Dentures?

Partial dentures are designed to replace one or more missing teeth. They’re partial in design and help restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile with confidence while also preventing the remaining teeth from shifting out of place.

When Are Partial Dentures Recommended?

Partial dentures are usually recommended when:

  • You are missing a few teeth, but still have healthy natural teeth remaining. 
  • You want an affordable and non-invasive solution to fill in gaps in your smile.
  • You are looking for a removable alternative to implants or fixed bridges.

Design and How They Work

Partial dentures in Bloomfield, NM, are typically made with:

  • A metal framework for strength or an acrylic base that mimics the appearance of your gums.
  • Clasps or precision attachments that anchor onto your existing teeth for support and stability.

By attaching securely to your natural teeth, partial dentures help restore both the function and appearance of your smile, so you can eat, speak, and enjoy life without worry.

Key Differences Between Full and Partial Dentures

Dentures are an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth, but not all dentures are the same. Let’s break down the key differences between full and partial dentures in a clear, easy-to-follow way:

1. Purpose

  • Complete dentures are a great option if you’re missing teeth in the upper and lower jaw. 
  • Partial dentures are ideal when only a few teeth are missing and you still have some healthy natural teeth left.

2. Structure and Materials

  • Full dentures are made of a complete acrylic base that sits on your gums.
  • Partial dentures have a metal or acrylic framework with clasps that secure them in place, gripping your natural teeth for support.
  • Both can have natural-looking acrylic or porcelain teeth.

3. Fit and Comfort

  • Full dentures can take time to get used to, especially on the lower jaw.
  • Partial dentures often feel more stable because they attach to your existing teeth.

4. Maintenance and Cleaning

  • Both types need daily cleaning and should be removed at night.
  • Partial dentures require extra care to prevent damage to the natural teeth they anchor to.

5. Longevity and Replacement

  • With good care, both types can last 5 to 10 years.
  • However, partial dentures may need more frequent adjustments due to changes in your natural teeth.

6. Aesthetic and Functional Results

  • Both restore your smile and help with chewing and speaking.
  • Full dentures offer a complete smile makeover.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between the Two

When deciding between dental implants and dentures in Bloomfield, NM, it’s essential to consider several key factors that can help you make the best choice for your smile and lifestyle.

1. Oral Health Condition & Number of Missing Teeth 

If you’re missing several or all of your teeth, dentures might be more practical. But if you only have one or two missing teeth and healthy surrounding teeth, implants could be a better option.

2. Budget & Insurance

Dentures are generally more affordable upfront, while implants tend to cost more but last longer. Check your dental insurance; some plans cover dentures but not implants.

3. Jawbone & Gum Health

Implants require a strong jawbone for support. If you have experienced bone loss or have gum issues, dentures may be recommended unless bone grafting is an option.

4. Professional Advice 

Always consult a trusted local dentist in Bloomfield, NM who specializes in dentures. They’ll evaluate your oral health and guide you toward the most suitable and lasting solution.

Denture Care Tips for Bloomfield Residents

Caring for your dentures properly helps them last longer and keeps your mouth healthy. Whether you have full or partial dentures, here are some easy tips to follow:

1. Clean Daily

  • Gently brush your dentures every day with a soft denture brush.
  • Use a non-abrasive cleaner, not regular toothpaste.
  • Rinse them after meals to remove food particles.

2. Store Them Safely

  • Soak your dentures in a denture solution or water when not in use.
  • Never let them dry out; they can warp.

3. Visit Your Dentist Regularly

  • Regular checkups ensure your dentures fit well and your gums stay healthy.
  • Your dentist can spot and fix small issues before they turn into bigger ones.

Takeaway

  • Complete dentures are designed to replace your missing teeth, while partial dentures are designed to fill gaps while you have remaining natural teeth.
  • Partial dentures are more affordable and stable; full dentures offer a full smile makeover.
  • Proper care and regular dental visits are key to long-lasting, comfortable dentures.
  • Ready to change the way you smile? Connect with our Sundance Dental experts today! 

Everything You Need To Know About Dentures

Posted on: September 15, 2023 by bv_digital

Whether you already know about dental dentures, have someone familiar with them, or already have them, you’ll likely have questions about the oral appliance. 

Besides, why not? People missing one or more teeth are often suggested to use dentures as an effective tooth replacement option. These removable prosthetic devices are uniquely designed to custom-fit individual patients, making them a practical appliance in the process. 

This blog walks you through the different aspects of oral appliances while explaining the role of dentures for missing teeth, how to care for them, and how they can enhance oral health. 

So continue reading as we answer questions about dentures and determine whether dentures are the best option for you. But first, let’s learn more about how dentures work. 

Role Of Dentures In Improving Oral Health

Dentures are artificial teeth crafted by your dentist in Grants to replace missing or lost natural teeth. These artificial teeth and gums are customized to fit your mouth and give you a natural feeling while talking or eating. 

Your dentist will suggest different dentures based on your oral condition. They can be full or partial, meaning they can completely cover the top or bottom gum line or simply a few missing teeth. No matter your requirement, dentures can be designed specifically for your mouth and aesthetically similar to your natural teeth.

But What Are These Appliances Made Of?

The false dentures teeth that make up dentures used to be constructed of porcelain or plastic in the past, but more recent dentures are typically made of a robust acrylic resin. Apart from the teeth, a similar resin or a more flexible polymer material is used to design the natural gum line to fit into the natural gum line. 

This way, your denture experts develop an entire oral setting to create a supporting framework that holds the fake teeth in place and mimics the natural gum line. 

Dentures: First Sign To Watch

While there’s no evident way to tell whether or not you need dentures, a few signs indicate you need to wear dentures in the future. These signs may include: 

  • Loose teeth
  • Severe pain or toothache
  • Missing teeth
  • Swollen/red gums
  • Difficulty when chewing or biting

Once you’ve consulted with your dentist Grants, it’s time to move to the next stage of dentures, choosing among the different options. Let’s have a look at the four common types of dentures in dentistry in this section:

Full Dentures:

Full or complete dentures fill the whole upper or lower jaw to fill the space left by missing teeth. A patient’s teeth can be replaced at once using complete dentures. They are typically acrylic and fixed.

Partial Dentures:

As the name suggests, partial dentures are a set of teeth, but not the full upper or lower set is replaced by partial dentures. They are created to restore a portion of your mouth.

Next, we have the removable and fixed dentures, both of which have their approach to dentistry. Therefore, before you select an approach with your dentist in Grants for dentures, ensure that you check out this table to weigh the pros and cons:

Type Of Denture Advantage Disadvantage
Removable Dentures:

As the name suggests, these dentures are removable. They often replace your whole upper or lower set of teeth and are full dentures.

You could see These conventional dentures sitting within a glass of water on your nightstand. 
  • You may get a great grin back for less money.
  • Easy to adapt in one or two weeks.
  • Easy to clean at home.
  • Removable dentures require daily cleaning.
  • Lack of nutrition due to eating difficulties.
  • Removable dentures could result in bone loss since they aren’t fixed to the jaw.
Fixed Dentures:

As the name suggests, fixed dentures are aesthetically fit inside your mouth. These appliances are created to resemble your natural gums. 

They’re a remedy to avoid the agony of detachable dentures coming out of your mouth or using adhesives to hold the denture in place. 
  • No more discomfort about removing dentures.
  • Holds your bone and jaw in place, adding to your facial fixtures.
  • Fixed dentures restore missing teeth safely and stably. 
  • They are more expensive.
  • You need to spend more time in the surgical process.
  • More visits to the dentist.

How To Clean Your Dentures?

Regardless of their composition, you must clean your dentures like natural teeth. Dentures may be built of artificial teeth, but germs, plaque, and tartar can still accumulate on them and damage neighboring teeth and gums.

Therefore, it’s advisable to remove and wash your dentures thoroughly to remove any food particles between your teeth for dentures, along the gum line, or beneath the appliance.  

Why Dentures Over Other Options?

Dentures improve the appearance of your smile if you are missing more than one tooth, but they also help support the structures around your lips and cheeks. Dental dentures let you eat normally and without difficulty. You may not get all the needed nutrients when you lose your capacity to chew.

Moreover, several clinics in Grants now allow dental insurance to replace your missing teeth without causing discomfort and other health problems. 

Let’s Fix Your Smile Today!

At Sundance Dental & Orthodontics, we bring you prominent dentures dentistry. Our team is backed by professionals with years of experience in bringing out the best of your smile. Connect with us today. 

Common Misconceptions About Dentures

Posted on: February 14, 2023 by bv_digital

Dentures are prosthetic devices that can replace missing teeth and tissue. They serve various purposes, such as improving chewing and eating abilities, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the face and smile, helping with pronunciations, and so forth. Dentures may be completely removable or partially removable.

Dentures are one of the most common procedures that dentists Farmington New Mexico, use. For instance, in 2020, 40.99 million Americans used dentures. However, despite their ubiquity, misconceptions about dentures are quite common. In this article, our experts recount the pertinent dentures facts and myths plaguing American society.

Top Six Myths About Dentures 

  • Misconception 1: Dentures are the Same as Natural Human Teeth and Function Better than Natural Human Teeth 

    • Fact: Dentures are Not the Same as Natural Teeth

One of the most common myths about dentures is that they are the same as natural teeth. However, it is far from the truth. Unlike regular human teeth that work independently, dentures function in groups. Of course, dentures are as effective as natural teeth in helping people bite, chew, talk, and smile. However, they do not surpass organic teeth in strength, resilience, and inherent abilities. Dentures have some limitations; they are usually on soft gums, unlike natural teeth in hard tissue or bone.

  • Misconception 2: Dentures are Not Dependable

    • Fact: The Right Dentures are Reliable

A major myth about dentures is that you cannot depend on them. Of course, when you invest in the cheapest dentures possible, reliability cannot be guaranteed. Flimsy and cheap dentures are not adequately customizable and contain inferior-quality materials, affecting their fitting. It is essential to remember that ill-fitting dentures are unreliable. On the other hand, like every other prosthetic device, dentures do not come with 100% reliability. Nevertheless, if you invest in the right set, durability, functionality, and efficiency are more or less assured.

  • Misconception 3: Dentures are Effortless

    • Fact: Dentures Need Maintenance and Care

Just because dentures are not your natural teeth, it does not mean that you can give up on oral health. Despite being prosthetic devices, dentures need maintenance. It is imperative to clean your dentures once or twice daily if they are attached to dental implants. Similarly, although your natural teeth might not exist anymore, the tongue and gums continue to thrive. Thus, they can collect bacteria, and you have to clean them twice a day. Put, dentures are anything but effortless. You must clean them daily with your mouth to keep gum diseases and foul breath at bay. The best dentist Farmington New Mexico, can advise you on curating an oral health regimen after using dentures.

  • Misconception 4: Only Older People Need Dentures

    • Fact: Dentures are for Everyone

If you hear that dentures are only for the elderly, remember that it is a significant misconception. Some people have genetic conditions that leave them predisposed to dental issues. Thus, people of all ages might need dentures in their early twenties or late fifties. Moreover, just because a young person has dentures does not imply they neglect their oral health. It probably means that they had some underlying health issue. Thus, the hour needs to destigmatize denture usage for people across the age spectrum.

  • Misconception 5: Dentures Massively Limit Your Food Choices 

    • Fact: Dentures Restrict Some Foods from People’s Diets

Whenever you hear the term ‘dentures,’ an image of people slurping liquids and pureed food might flash into your head. However, rest assured; such images are deceiving. People with dentures can eat the same foods they did in the past – albeit in smaller portions. In addition, some crunchy foods may need to be softened. However, simultaneously, one must remember that dentures are not infallible. People with dentures should avoid hard and chewy sticky foods whenever possible, as they damage the dentures in due course of time. But the fact remains that dentures enable people to relish a large spread of delicacies and improve their quality of life.

  • Misconception 6: You can use one set of dentures forever

    • Fact: Dentures Have a Shelf Life

Simply put, one set of dentures does not last a lifetime. Usually, dentures have a shelf life of 2 to 3 years. Typically, dentures last two to three years. As bones resorb gradually with dentures, the latter gets loose and ill-fitted. Thereafter, the patient has to opt for grants for dentures again and visit their Prosthodontist for a fresh set. In case the dentures require minor changes, the patient may be able to continue using the same set for another two years. However, one must remake them sooner or later.

So, there we have it, the top six dentures facts and myths. In all honesty, dentures are a marvel of modern dentistry, bettering the lives of millions of people.

Cosmetic Dentistry: An Effective Method To Replace Your Missing Teeth

Posted on: July 14, 2022 by bv_digital

One should eliminate anything that takes away your precious smile or affects it. It does not matter whether it is something personal or any oral problem. Anything that gives you a tough time smiling should not find a place in your life. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry at Gallup dental can fix any issue you face with your smile. A cosmetic dentist uses various procedures like veneers, dental implants, gum reshaping, etc.

The best part about this dentistry is that it can completely alter your look and make you feel confident. But you must be wondering what these dental procedures are. As explained by cosmetic dentistry in NM, let’s learn more about the process. 

What is Cosmetic Dentistry? 

In this dentistry, the dentist uses various techniques to change how your teeth and smile look. The focus of this form of dentistry is to help you improve your dental aesthetics.

It changes the color, shape, and overall appearance of your teeth to give you a shining smile. To opt for this process, you only need to find the ‘best cosmetic dentist near me.’

 Let us see how different cosmetic dentistry procedures can improve your smile.

  • Dental Bonding

 Bonding is the ultimate procedure that helps fix your smile. In this procedure, the dentist applies a tooth-colored resin and hardens it with a special light.

Thus, the material bonds and gives a person the most beautiful smile. Dental bonding is inexpensive and does not bury a hole in your pocket. Dental bonding is the best way to fix your broken or chipped teeth while keeping up with your remaining natural teeth.

  • Veneers

 A wafer-thin shell the dentist puts on the front of your teeth is veneer. These are perfect for bonding your teeth or changing their shape or color. These comprise porcelain or resin veneers composite to change the tooth shape or color.

Interestingly, these best cosmetic teeth covers are the top choice of many celebrities. So you might want to search the web to find out whether your favorite celeb got this treatment done.

  • Crowns 

Cosmetic dentistry enables you to treat your weak or damaged tooth. For example, at Gallup dental, you can get a cap-shaped crown to improve the look of your teeth set.

The crown material usually comprises metal, porcelain, resin, and ceramic. This dental procedure will stay with you for 10 to 15 years.

Your dentist will file your existing tooth and cement the crown over it. Thus, you get a new tooth instead of an old, damaged, and decayed one.

  • Enamel Shaping

Enamel shaping is one of the most common and the best cosmetic dental treatment. It shapes and contours your tooth appearance in the most painless way.

Generally, people with imperfections and uneven teeth opt for this dental treatment. The best part about this treatment is that it delivers instant results. Most people combine this treatment with bonding or whitening.

Getting the enamel shaping and veneer treatment done together can give your smile an incredible appearance.

  • Braces 

If you are tired of your crooked-looking teeth, try the orthodontic treatment of braces. Cosmetic dentistry, NM, is one of the most sought cosmetic dental services to fix misaligned teeth.

Braces can perfect your smile by putting your teeth in order. It applies pressure on your teeth to make them move in the desired order. There are different types of braces available in the dentistry world. You can pick the ones that your dentist suggests.

  • Teeth Whitening 

Undoubtedly, having a bright smile is anyone’s dream. Thankfully, there is a dentistry treatment that can help you achieve healthy and more radiant teeth.

While the market offers hundreds of teeth whitening options, your dentist might suggest this treatment. But, teeth whitening does not suit all patients. You can opt for this dental procedure only if you have natural and healthy teeth. In addition, you might have to get your dentist’s opinion if you have restored teeth or dental implants.

  • Dentures 

Losing teeth with age or in an accident can be heart-wrenching. However, dentistry treatments have evolved to offer solutions even for this problem. Dentures are prosthetic teeth, held in place by the gums, that help to replace missing natural teeth. It can restore a person’s smile and allow them to chew and speak again.

Dentures come in different types and materials, such as acrylic or metal, and are custom-made for each individual, depending on their specific needs. Getting dentures is one of the most feasible options if you have lost your teeth.

Depending on your oral condition, you can get partial or even complete dentures.

Final Verdict 

In ever-enhancing dentistry, you can bid goodbye to all your dental problems. Cosmetic dental surgery is your escape from all the troubles you face with your teeth. Whether it is crooked, misaligned teeth, or you don’t like your smile, you can always get it fixed by visiting your dentist.

You no longer need to worry about a lost tooth, as you can always opt for one of these dental procedures. Thus, you can fix your dental appointment to make your smile look the best by finding the ‘cosmetic dentist near me.’ All the best!

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