by constitutiondental | May 31, 2019 | Blogs
When dental patients are missing one or more of their teeth, there are many options available to replace them with fake teeth. Some patients opt for dentures, whereas others prefer a more permanent solution, such as dental implants and implant-supported restorations like permanent dentures. At Constitution Dental, we offer a range of restorative dental treatments and procedures to replace missing teeth, and we’d be more than happy to discuss your options when you book an appointment at our dental clinic in Downtown Ottawa. Give us a call, or continue reading to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of removable and permanent dentures.
Removable Dentures
When you think of dentures, an image of removable dentures probably comes to mind. You might recall a movie scene where someone’s dentures fell out of their mouth, or you might think of your grandparents’ dentures sitting out on the bathroom counter when you visited their house over the holidays. Either way, you’re on the right track. Removable dentures are a dental prosthetic that is formed to a person’s mouth, so they can eat and talk more comfortably. As the name implies, removable dentures can be taken out and put in without the help of your family dentist, so you can take them out to sleep and put them back in to eat, talk, etc. Depending on your amount of tooth loss, your dentist will create one of these two options if you prefer removable dentures:
- Removable partial dentures. Dental patients who are only missing some of their teeth may opt for removable partial dentures, which are a dental prosthetic made of fake teeth that are held in place with metal clasps. Removable partial dentures are a good option for people who are missing one or more teeth and don’t want to invest in dental implants or commit to a permanent denture solution.
- Removable complete dentures. Edentulous patients who are missing all of their teeth on one or both arches in the mouth have limited options when it comes to dental restoration, and in many cases, they turn to removable complete dentures. These full sets of fake teeth are created in a dental lab and are shaped to fit the contours of your mouth perfectly. Ideally, removable complete dentures will be comfortable to wear and allow you to eat, speak, and go about your day normally.
Overall, removable dentures are a good option for dental patients who are missing teeth and don’t have the budget or need for dental implants. However, there are several drawbacks of removable dentures. The first is that they do not provide as much functionality as implant-supported restorations do, since they aren’t anchored to the underlying jawbone. Over time, this results in further jawbone deterioration, which can cause the jaw to recede and become more fragile. Sufficient jawbone density is required for dental implants and implant-supported restorations to be successful, so if you opt for removable dentures, you might not be able to change your mind down the road.
Permanent Dentures
Permanent or “fixed” dentures refer to a prosthetic tooth replacement that is permanently held in place by denture implants. During dental implant surgery, your dentist will secure your fake tooth replacement by screwing one or more dental implants into the jawbone. Over the next few months, your jawbone will brow around the titanium posts, holding them in place for a very, very long time. The result? A perfectly functioning smile that looks and works great! Here are the two types of permanent dentures we offer at our dental office in Downtown Ottawa:
- Fixed Partial Dentures. This is the permanent version of removable partial dentures. Also referred to as dental bridges, permanent partial dentures can either be attached to the adjacent natural teeth or secured with one or more dental implants. If they are permanently fixed with denture implants, this restores far more functionality to the bite while stimulating jawbone regrowth.
- Fixed Complete Dentures. Patients who are missing all of their teeth on either the upper arch, lower arch, or both arches can benefit from fixed complete dentures. These permanent dentures are secured in place by several dental implants, providing a permanent solution for tooth loss.
In general, there are more benefits of permanent dentures than there are for removable dentures, the most obvious being the improved functionality that denture implants provide. With permanent dentures, you can bite, chew, and speak fairly normally, since the prosthetic is held in place and doesn’t move around in your mouth. In addition, fixed dentures stimulate jawbone regrowth, making them a great option for people who are missing teeth and want to minimize jawbone resorption and the complications that come with it.
Another great option for patients who are missing all of their teeth is full dental implants. During this procedure, your dentist will place individual dental implants in their ideal position, adding a temporary denture for aesthetic purposes. You’ll need to wait for the bone to grow around the titanium post over the next few months (a process called “osseointegration”), then you can make an appointment to have an abutment (dental crown) attached. When the process is complete, you’ll have a beautiful new smile that looks great and functions just as well as real teeth.
Visit Our Downtown Ottawa Dental Clinic For A Consultation
If any of the restorative dentistry options listed above sound like the right solution for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation at our dental office in Downtown Ottawa. Our dentists would be happy to explain the process of removable and permanent dentures, as well as dental implants if you are a good candidate for these treatments. Contact our team at Constitution Dental to get started!
by constitutiondental | May 17, 2019 | Blogs
It’s normal to dread wisdom tooth removal — after all, it is a type of oral surgery. For many of us, wisdom tooth removal is the only time we’ll ever undergo dental sedation, and the thought of having our teeth pulled out while we’re asleep is enough to make our skin crawl. However, wisdom tooth extractions aren’t always the nightmare they’re made out to be. Really, it all comes down to how well you’ve prepared and how seriously you take your recovery.
At Constitution Dental, we have an oral surgeon on staff to perform wisdom tooth removals for our patients. If you are in high school or you’re in your twenties, be sure to schedule an appointment with our dentists to see if your wisdom teeth are coming in. Nervous about the procedure? Here’s how you can prepare for your wisdom tooth removal in Downtown Ottawa.
Schedule A Consultation
Before scheduling wisdom tooth extractions, our dentists meet with patients to explain the process and give them an idea of what to expect. During this consultation, be sure to bring any questions you may have, as well as a list of any health problems you’ve been experiencing and any drugs you take regularly. Also, feel free to voice any concerns you have about the procedure, such as the effects of anesthesia, the pain medication prescribed, or what to expect when you wake up. This is your opportunity to learn more about wisdom tooth removal and get clarifications to help ease your nerves before you show up for your actual appointment.
Plan Your Recovery Time
The typical wisdom tooth recovery time is four days to a week. During your recovery, you’ll need to limit activity and take time off school or work to rest. For high schoolers and college students, our dentists recommend scheduling your wisdom tooth extraction during the summer, when stress levels are low and you have friends and family to take care of you. If you have a full-time job, you’ll need to request several days off to recover and get off the pain medication before you return to work.
Follow Instructions
On the day of your wisdom tooth extraction, it is important to follow the instructions provided by your oral surgeon. Common side effects of general anesthesia, such as IV sedation and nitrous oxide, are nausea and vomiting, which can cause wisdom tooth dry sockets or a wisdom tooth infection. Because of this, patients are prohibited from eating or drinking anything for eight hours leading up to their appointment. You’ll also need to arrange for a ride to and from the dental clinic on the day of your surgery, as you’ll be too impaired to drive when you come out of the anesthesia.
Schedule Your Wisdom Tooth Removal In Downtown Ottawa
There are many reasons to have your wisdom teeth removed, which we will discuss in a future blog post. If you are in high school, college, or you suspect that your wisdom teeth are coming in, contact our team at Constitution Dental in Downtown Ottawa to book a wisdom tooth consultation. We’d be happy to explain the procedure, answer your questions, and give you an idea of how much wisdom tooth removals cost.
by constitutiondental | May 3, 2019 | Blogs
Dentures are a great solution for adults with missing teeth, and there are many variations that make dentures customizable to your unique needs. At our dental clinic in Downtown Ottawa, we offer permanent dentures and removable dentures for our patients, and we are happy to create custom dentures for you. Reach out to Constitution Dental today if you are interested in finding out whether you are a good candidate for dentures, or continue reading to learn about the difference between permanent and removable dentures!
Permanent Dentures
Permanent dentures, or fixed dentures, are just what they sound like — dentures that are permanently secured to the teeth and can’t be removed. This type of denture is great for people who have missing teeth and want to restore the functionality of their bite. Patients with permanent dentures can eat and speak normally, thanks to the strength and durability of these prosthetic teeth. Here are the two types of fixed dentures we offer at our Downtown Ottawa dental office:
Fixed Partial Dentures
Fixed partial dentures are similar to dental bridges in the sense that they are either fixed to the adjacent teeth or are secured to the underlying jawbone with dental implants. These fake teeth look and function like real teeth, making them a great solution for patients who want a discreet, yet functional tooth replacement.
Fixed Complete Dentures
The main difference between fixed partial dentures and fixed complete dentures is that fixed complete dentures are available to patients who are missing all of their teeth. Since these prosthetic teeth can’t be attached to natural teeth, they are secured with dental implants instead. As previously mentioned, these denture implants are fused to the underlying jawbone, which provides stability and stimulates jawbone regrowth. The main benefits of fixed complete dentures are that they improve bite functionality and minimize jawbone loss.
Removable Dentures
Removable dentures are another option for people who are looking for a solution for missing teeth. Unlike permanent dentures, removable dentures are not fixed to the surrounding teeth and do not involve dental implant surgery. Rather, they are a prosthetic that can be worn whenever the patient wants. Here are the two types of removable dentures we offer at Constitution Dental:
Removable Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures are characterized by a set of fake teeth that can be attached to the neighboring teeth with a set of metal clasps. As the name entails, these prosthetic teeth can be removed without the help of a dentist, making them a great option for older adults who don’t want to invest in the cost of dental implants or a dental bridge. However, the drawback of removable partial dentures is that they do not restore as much functionality to the bite as fixed dentures do, potentially making it more difficult to eat and speak. There is also a lack of jawbone stimulation, which can lead to further bone resorption.
Removable Complete Dentures
Like removable partial dentures, removable complete dentures are not secured to natural teeth and do not require dental implant surgery. In fact, removable complete dentures are made for edentulous patients who do not have any teeth on one or both arches in the mouth. This type of dental prosthetic is what most people imagine when they hear the term “denture” — removable complete dentures are a set of fake teeth that are custom-made to fit your mouth. The same drawbacks of removable partial dentures also apply to removable complete dentures.
Get Dentures In Ottawa At Our Family Dental Clinic
If you are missing teeth and are looking for a prosthetic tooth replacement, we hope that this blog post has given you a better understanding of your options. At Constitution Dental, we offer all of the permanent and removable dentures listed above. Contact us today to learn more about our restorative dentistry procedures, and we’ll set up a consultation to determine which option is best for you.
