Once upon a time, if you had missing teeth (and you surely would have missing teeth if you reached a certain age, due to lack of modern dental care) you really didn’t have much choice in terms of replacement teeth. If you were wealthy, perhaps, you’d be able to have rudimentary dentures made. But these appliances — typically crafted out of wood, bone, metal, and/or human or animal teeth — were awkward, uncomfortable, and unsanitary.
Fast forward to the 19th and 20th centuries. Finally, dentures became more widely available and more wearable, thanks to improved materials like vulcanized rubber and better manufacturing standards. These advances were great news for our grandparents and parents, providing them with beautiful smiles and a much higher quality of life than they may have enjoyed otherwise.
But even the dentures of recent decades can’t match the comfort, function, and life-like quality of today’s denture and dental implant options. Because of our superior digital imaging abilities and cutting-edge manufacturing processes, modern replacement teeth — both dentures and dental implants — fit better, feel better, and look better than their predecessors.
If you have a missing tooth or teeth marring your smile and diminishing your confidence, get in touch with Davenport Dental Group. Call whichever of our Laredo, TX locations is most convenient for you — Junction Drive at 956-242-6745 or Winfield at 956-517-2695.
What Are Dental Implants?
More than any other tooth replacement option, dental implants feel and function like real teeth. A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. You may get a dental implant to replace one tooth or you may get several to support a full-arch restoration. Dental implants are unmatched in their security — they will not move, slide around, or fall out. They enable you to eat whatever you want without fear, and are cleaned and maintained just like real teeth (not in a cup at the edge of the sink). And you won’t have to deal with messy adhesives. A few things you should keep in mind:
- Getting dental implants is not a short process. You will need surgery to place the implant, allow your mouth to heal for a few months, and then get the restoration.
- Dental implants are more expensive than dentures.
- You must have a healthy jawbone and gums to be a candidate for dental implants.
Today’s Dentures Are Better Than Ever
Dentures remain an excellent choice for people whose jaws and gums are not strong enough for dental implants, as well as for patients looking for a more budget-friendly alternative. Contemporary dentures look more natural and feel better than dentures of the past. At Davenport Dental group, our state-of-the-art digital technology gives us the ability to measure your mouth with precision. This ensures the best possible, most comfortable fit.
Full removable dentures replace a full arch of missing teeth. They consist of replacement teeth embedded into a gum-colored mold. They are held securely in place through a combination of a perfect fit and denture adhesive.
Partial removable dentures, as the name suggests, replace a few missing teeth in an arch. The teeth are set into a gum-colored mold, and secured in place by clasps that attach to your remaining healthy teeth.
Temporary dentures are, well, temporary. We can craft you a set of these so you don’t have to go toothless while your permanent dentures are being made. They are crafted quickly, but fit well, are comfortable, and look great.
The Best of Both Worlds
At Davenport Dental Group, we also offer two hybrid options that utilize both dentures and dental implants.
Implant-retained dentures are ideal for patients who love the stability and security of dental implants, but need to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. First, we insert several dental implants into the jawbone. Once they are healed, you get a full-arch denture that secures to the implants via a ball attachment. While the denture is removable, it is completely secure while in your mouth. Implant-supported dentures are similar to implant-retained dentures, but use a bar attachment rather than ball attachment.
To learn more about tooth replacement or make an appointment with one of our doctors, contact  Davenport Dental Group of Laredo, TX. Call our Junction Drive office at 956-242-6745, Winfield at 956-242-6745, or fill out our handy online form.