I Have A Few Upper Teeth Remaining. Should I Save Them Or Have Them Removed?

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I Have A Few Upper Teeth Remaining. Should I Save Them Or Have Them Removed?

When a person is missing some of their natural teeth, they often get a partial denture. This denture has spaces for the natural teeth and uses the natural teeth as an anchor to keep the rest of the denture in place. If you only have a few natural teeth remaining, it may make it difficult for these dentures to stay in place. Because of this, some people consider having their natural teeth pulled, even if they are healthy, in order to get a complete denture that suctions to the roof of the mouth to stay in place. But pulling your teeth to be able to wear a complete denture or even get denture implants may not be right for you. Look at the benefits of both extracting your natural teeth and keeping them and then speak to your denturist about what is right for you.

Reasons To Save Your Teeth

Save Any Natural Teeth You Can
Pulling teeth is always a last resort. If your teeth are healthy, there is no reason to pull them. Some people may be tempted to have their natural teeth pulled if they only have a few remaining so that they can get complete dentures, but partial dentures that leave room for your natural teeth are also available.

Limit Jaw Resorption
When you no longer have your natural teeth, the jawbone begins to shrink. This is because the root of the teeth are no longer in the jaw bone so chewing with dentures does not offer the same stimulation to the jaw bone to keep it healthy. As jaw bone resorption continues, the shape of your face can change and can cause facial collapse (which creates a sunken-in look to the cheeks) as your jawbone can no longer support facial muscles.

When To Have Your Teeth Pulled

Gum Disease Or Tooth Rot
If your teeth or gums are in poor condition, you may need your teeth pulled. If you have periodontitis (a severe gum infection) and your teeth are loose, they may have to be removed. A tooth may also have to be pulled if there is rot or injury, such as a break or fracture that cannot be repaired.

You Want Denture Implants
If you only have a few remaining teeth and you are interested in a permanent denture solution, you may want to consider denture implants. This type of denture will require you to get surgically implanted fixtures that connect to a complete denture set. This type of denture does not come in and out and can be very convenient, but it is only offered when either the upper or lower jaw has no remaining teeth.

Stress On Natural Teeth
If you have very few teeth remaining, those teeth will be exposed to a lot of force. Regularly chewing on very few natural teeth may end up damaging the teeth and pulling them to get a complete denture may be a better option.

Denture Options With A Calgary Denturist

If you have few natural teeth and are considering dentures or are considering switching the type of denture you have, Future Smiles Denture Clinic in Calgary can help. Our highly experienced staff is committed to helping you learn about your denture and oral health options and we can help you decide how you want to proceed with your denture journey. To speak with the staff at Future Smiles in Calgary, you can visit the SW Calgary Denture clinic on Macleod or the NE Calgary location in Coral Springs. To book a free consultation with Future Smiles Denture Clinic, call 1-403-908-9926 or fill out the online contact form.

FAQ

Q: What are the benefits of complete dentures?
A: Complete dentures:

  • Have great aesthetics
  • Work with the natural movement of the jaw
  • Are an affordable dentures option
  • Are stable and secure

Q: What are the benefits of partial dentures?
A: Partial dentures:

  • Are an affordable denture option
  • Prevent your remaining teeth from shifting
  • Can be very aesthetically pleasing
  • Removable partial dentures are easy to clean
  • Can be made traditional or flexible

Q: What are the pros and cons of denture implants?
A: Aside from the minor side effects of the procedure, such as mild pain and swelling, dental implants tend to be an expensive procedure; however, dental implants are a long-lasting solution that won’t need rebasing, relining, or other upkeep costs, and Future Smiles Denture Clinic does offer affordable denture solutions. Denture implants also:

  • Look and feel natural
  • Don’t cause sore spots like other traditional dentures
  • Improve oral health and jaw bone structure
  • Improve chewing ability
  • Do not move in the mouth

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Vlad Dumbrava

Vlad Dumbrava has been active in the field of denture therapy since 2008. Upon receiving his denturist degree in 2011 from George Brown College in Toronto, Ontario, he continued his education in Medical Sciences at Western University.


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