Should I Get Full Dentures or Partials?

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The dilemma of having to choose between full dentures or partials is really a choice that you have to make with professional advice. Cosmetic dentists and family dentists can guide their patients as to how extensive the problem is and what the best procedure and answer would be for the patient's welfare.

What is a denture?

A denture acts as a replacement for missing teeth and tissues, and it can be taken out and put back into the mouth. While it takes time to get used to wearing dentures, and they do not really feel like your real teeth, today's dentures are more comfortable and natural looking than they used to be.

Full or complete dentures

After the removal of all remaining teeth, and the gum tissues have had a chance to heal, a CONVENTIONAL full denture is ready for placement in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed. As the healing takes place, during that time you are without teeth.

IMMEDIATE dentures are custom created in advance by measurements and models of your jaw during an earlier visit and are inserted immediately after all remaining teeth are removed. Although that means that the wearer does not have to go a period of time without teeth, gums and bones shrink during the healing period.

Therefore, a disadvantage of the immediate dentures is that they will require more adjustments in order to fit properly and will probably have to be relined several months after insertion because the bone supporting the teeth reshapes as it heals and causes the dentures to become loose.

Dentures are custom-made in a dental laboratory from impressions previously taken of your mouth. Full dentures have a base in a flesh color and rests over your gums. The upper base covers the palate/roof of your mouth. The base of the lower denture is in the shape of a horseshoe to allow room for your tongue.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures are used when some teeth are missing and some natural teeth remain. The dentures attach to regular teeth and replace ones that are missing. The dentures are constructed of tissue colored acrylic or light-weight metal alloy.

A removable partial denture/bridge is made up of replacement teeth attached to that base, and often are connected by metal framework to hold the denture in place. This is used when there are still some healthy natural teeth in the jaw.

A fixed bridge is to replace teeth by putting crowns on the teeth on either side, attaching artificial teeth to them, and cementing the bridge into place. In addition to a partial denture filling in the empty spaces created by missing teeth, it also can prevent other teeth from changing their positions. More natural looking is a partial denture that is removable and has internal attachments instead of clasps that attach to adjacent crowns that may have to have been placed on some of your teeth to provide anchors.

Remember that family dentists and cosmetic dentists can explain the dentures process to you in detail and answer any of your questions.

If you are seeking professional dental advice regarding dentures, it's time to call Shumway Dental Care. Their Chandler dentists will ask you questions, examine you, and determine exactly what needs to be done to get you back to normal. Call today for an appointment. Visit http://www.mychandlerdentists.com.

Which Teeth Whitening Option Is Best for You?

One of the easiest ways to improve your personal appearance is to make your teeth whiter. White teeth not only look healthier and more attractive than do teeth that are yellow or otherwise discolored, but having white teeth will encourage you to smile more, making you more pleasant to be around.

There has been an explosion of teeth whitening products in recent years, almost all of which are heavily marketed, promising amazing results in very little time with even less effort.

While most of these products do work to some degree, there are some significant differences between them that are worth knowing. Educating yourself on teeth whitening products will help you pick the one that is best for you.

Also, cosmetic dentists and even family dentists can help you decide on the best whitening solution based on your budget, time constraints, and the current condition of your teeth.

Here are the different teeth whitening solutions available to you.

Whitening toothpaste. This is the easiest solution, because it doesn't require any effort beyond the regular twice-daily brushing that you (hopefully) already do. Brushing your teeth with any kind of toothpaste whitens your teeth to some degree, as its abrasive properties help remove surface stains. Whitening toothpaste take it a step further by including additional ingredients, most notably hydrogen peroxide, which have known whitening properties.

The downside to using this method exclusively to whiten your teeth is that it is less effective and takes longer than other methods, as the whitening agents are in contact with your teeth for such a short duration.

Whitening rinses. This product is generally used the same way as regular mouthwash, meaning you swish and gargle it for 30 to 60 seconds immediately after brushing. Like whitening toothpastes, its active ingredient is usually hydrogen peroxide. The advantages of using a whitening rinse are as follows: One, it takes very little time and effort.

Two, it is very inexpensive. And three, its liquid form enables it to reach a lot of areas that your toothbrush and toothpaste cannot. Whitening rinses suffer from the same drawback as whitening toothpaste -- namely, that it only remains in your mouth and thus in contact with your teeth for a couple minutes per day.

At-home whitening strips and trays. These are purchased at the supermarket and applied to your teeth daily for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or longer. The treatment period usually lasts between 7 and 14 days.

Whitening strips and trays work by coating your teeth with a gel-based peroxide solution. They are quite a bit more expensive than toothpastes or rinses, and they require much more of a daily time commitment.

In-office whitening sessions. This procedure is done in the office of cosmetic dentists or family dentists and usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

It involves applying a much more concentrated solution to your teeth than you can buy over the counter, and many dentists amplify its effects by using light and/or heat. While having your teeth whitened in-office usually costs more than any over-the-counter solution, it is -- without question -- the most effective method.

Want a whiter teeth? Give Shumway Dental Care and call and make an appointment to see one of their Chandler AZ dentists. Dr. Andy Shumway and his son Dr. Joel Shumway are experienced in all types of cosmetic dentistry, and can tell you the best route to take to get your teeth up to par. Visit the site at http://www.mychandlerdentists.com.

What are the Stages of Periodontal Disease?

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Periodontal disease is a progressive disease of the teeth and gums that can lead to infected and receding gums, destruction of the periodontal tissues (the periodontal ligament that holds the tooth in its socket, and the bone to which it is attached), loss of teeth, and even a compromised immune system. Cosmetic dentists can repair the visible damage of periodontal disease, and family dentists can help prevent and treat it, but the first and best line of defense is proper dental hygiene by the patients themselves.

The stages of periodontal disease are Gingivitis, Early Periodontitis, and Advanced Periodontitis.

Gingivitis:

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease, and the stage with which the average person is most familiar. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by a buildup of plaque at the gum line and base of the teeth that can harbor harmful bacteria. These bacteria produce waste and toxins which irritate and inflame the gums, a symptom of which is bleeding during brushing. This is the easiest stage of periodontal disease to treat and reverse, as no damage to the periodontal tissues has yet occurred.

Early Periodontitis:

When gingivitis goes untreated it can cause buildup of tartar on the teeth at the gum line. This buildup often has an irregular surface of pits, sharp edges, and grooves. It is an ideal surface for even more plaque formation, and can cause pockets to form in the gums at the base of the teeth that can ultimately extend down to the periodontal tissues. Food, bacteria, and additional plaque can become trapped deep in these pockets which then begin to damage bone and ligament tissue. This damage is irreversible, but it can be stopped with proper treatment.

Advanced Periodontitis:

As the periodontal disease progresses, the gum line may recede making the teeth appear longer, the pockets at the base of the teeth may grow larger and deeper, and bone and ligament damage progresses to the point that the teeth loosen and shift in the gums. This can cause an incorrect bite, further infection, and ultimately loss of teeth. Other symptoms may include bad breath and tastes, pain, pus discharge, and discomfort while eating.

Genetics and lifestyle factors can contribute to the severity of periodontal disease. Hormonal changes, illness and some medications may make the gums more sensitive or affect the protective flow of saliva. Clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth can put additional stress on the bones and ligaments of the periodontal tissues. Poor diet and stress may contribute to faulty immune system responses, and diabetes and smoking in particular are key contributors to periodontal disease.

Successful treatment of periodontal disease begins with you. Since plaque buildup is the primary cause of the disease, a proper regimen of brushing and flossing should help prevent the onset of gingivitis. Proper diet, sleep and stress relief, refraining from smoking, and proper treatment and handling of immune system issues in the individual are determining factors in preventive care. Services provided at regular checkups by family dentists such as plaque and tarter removal complete the prevention program. Good dental health is about much more than a great smile!

If you are seeking professional dental advice regarding periodontal disease, it's time to call Shumway Dental Care. Their Chandler dentists will ask you questions, examine you, and determine exactly what needs to be done to get you back to normal. Call today for an appointment. Visit http://shumwaydental.com/.