man at the dentist holding his denture

Dentures in Anchorage: 3 Options for Restoring Your Smile

Tooth loss can be distressing and can ultimately damage your health. To get your smile back and improve your overall health, you can now choose between three options for dentures in Anchorage: full, partial, or implant-supported dentures. Here’s an overview of each option and how to determine which will meet your specific needs.

Want to restore your smile with dentures in Anchorage? Schedule a consultation at Health Centered Dentistry today!

Choosing the Right Denture Option for You

8 factors you should consider when choosing denture options

Choosing the right tooth replacement option for you involves several considerations. Here are some of the factors you need to consider in making this choice among restorative dentistry options:

  • The number and position of your remaining teeth, if any
  • Your own preferences
  • How high you prioritize comfort and confidence
  • How long each option lasts
  • Cleaning requirements
  • Cost vs. benefits of each
  • Temporary vs. permanent
  • Invasive vs. non-invasive procedures

Making the right decision now is critical because you will probably live with the results for many years. Here’s a look at our three solutions. Your dentist can evaluate your mouth and consider your preferences to recommend the best option for you.

Full Dentures

Full dentures replace the entire upper or lower arch of teeth or both. They’re one example of How a Holistic Dentist in Anchorage Can Help You Achieve a Beautiful Smile. A full denture can be fixed or temporary. Usually, when we recommend full dentures, it is because you’ve already lost all your upper and/or lower teeth or the teeth you have remaining need to be removed due to decay or injury.

Cost, Expected Lifespan, and Maintenance

The cost of a full set of dentures is reasonable enough for most people who want to replace all of their upper or lower teeth. It is an excellent investment, as it can improve your health dramatically to be able to chew healthy foods again. Full dentures usually need to be replaced within 7-10 years due to changes in your gums and mouth. Until then, they can be adjusted to maintain a good fit and eliminate sore spots.

Cleaning and Maintenance

You should clean your full dentures daily. Because you are replacing an entire arch of teeth, you don’t have to worry about replacing the denture after losing another tooth.

Comfort and Confidence

Full dentures certainly will give you more comfort and confidence than you would have without any tooth replacement. However, you might need to apply a dental adhesive to avoid having the dentures slip out unexpectedly.

Procedure for Full Dentures

In some cases, your dentist will remove one or more remaining teeth that are decayed or damaged. However, the process of getting the denture is completely non-invasive. Your dentist makes impressions, which are used to make the full set of dentures. When they are ready, you simply pop them in, and you’re ready to go. Your dentist can adjust full dentures immediately or after your mouth changes to ensure a snug and comfortable fit.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are a good choice for people who have lost some teeth, but the remaining teeth are still healthy and intact. A partial upper or lower denture is secured in place by anchoring it to two of the remaining teeth. This partial plate has a pink base, the color of healthy gums. One or more false teeth are attached to it to replace the teeth you’re missing. Partials are removable, so they’re easy to clean.

Cleaning and Maintenance

However, it’s also very important to brush and floss your remaining teeth; if you don’t, bits of food and bacteria can become lodged under the partial.

Short-Term and Long-Term Costs

A partial denture is typically the least expensive option, but it only works if you still have teeth to anchor it. One of the difficulties with partial dentures is that they must be anchored to teeth. Therefore, if you lose an anchor tooth, you will need a new partial. In the meantime, you may need occasional adjustments, which your dentist can take care of for you. Partial dentures typically last between five and ten years.

Comfort and Confidence

A well-fitted partial denture can make you feel better about your appearance after losing one or more teeth. You can confidently chew, speak, and smile without concern if it fits well. In that case, it will sit comfortably in place. Because the partial is anchored to healthy teeth, it will typically fit snugly in its best position.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are a relatively new option compared to full and partial dentures. Although they have been around since the 1960s, new dental technology has brought improvements to this procedure. Single-tooth implants can replace one or several teeth, but implant-supported dentures are used to support a special denture. These dentures are securely held in place by four or more dental implants. Your dentist places the implants in the right position in your mouth to fully support each row of teeth.

Appearance and Comfort

Implant-supported dentures feel the most natural of these denture options. It’s also easier to feel confident when you don’t have to worry about your prosthetic teeth slipping or falling out when you sneeze or cough. The implants themselves can last a lifetime; however, the denture that is supported by the implants may need to be replaced after about ten years.

Procedure for Implant-Supported Dentures

Placing the implants is an invasive surgical procedure. That’s why our dentist takes extra care, putting their exceptional skills, profound knowledge, and the latest dental technology to work to give you a safe and effective outcome. This procedure involves placing four titanium screws into your jaw at strategic points to provide the best support for the denture. The denture snaps easily into place to provide optimal support for prosthetic teeth.

At Health Centered Dentistry, we provide implant-supported dentures in Anchorage using the All-on-4 treatment concept. This treatment method allows us to send you home after a single-day treatment with highly functional, comfortable, and attractive new implant-supported dentures.

Comfort and Confidence

For the ultimate in comfort and confidence, implant-supported dentures are unbeatable. It’s the most secure option among the three, so you can feel more confident when eating or speaking. Your smile looks its best, and the denture stays in place easily without adhesives.

Cleaning and Maintenance

When you have implant-supported dentures, you need to clean both the denture and the implant daily. However, it’s an easy process; all you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Other than that, your implant-supported dentures should last for years with very little maintenance.

Cost and Lifespan

The initial cost of implant-supported dentures is higher than other types of tooth replacement options. However, it can be a cost-effective solution over the long term, and our All-on-4 treatment is less expensive than traditional implant procedures. It is the best solution if your confidence and comfort are important to you and you need full dentures. To learn more about this newer option, read our blog, 6 Types of Innovative Dental Technology That Improve Patient Care.

Where to Go for Dentures in Anchorage

At Health Centered Dentistry in Anchorage, we provide full, partial, and implant-supported dentures. Our expert dental team provides dental care that takes into account the effects on your overall physical health and emotional well-being.

Our dental implant services give you the most natural-looking and -feeling option for tooth replacement. However, if you choose full dentures or partial dentures, you can rely on our same high standards of dental care.

The right choice may be different for you and for someone else. Therefore, we start with a consultation so that we can examine your mouth, assess the condition of your jawbone and gums, and recommend the most advantageous choice for your situation.

When you choose HCD, you get partners in achieving your most beautiful and your best dental health. We’re always mindful of how your oral health affects your overall health, providing health-conscious dental care for all our patients. Our proficient dental team is here to help you understand the implications of each choice for dentures in Anchorage. From there, we provide exceptional services to ensure functional dentures and an attractive smile.

Looking for a health-conscious dental care expert for dentures? Set an appointment at Health Centered Dentistry to find the best solutions for your individual needs!