Of course, we all want to keep our teeth well into old age. Unfortunately, it doesn't always happen that way. Injury, neglect, and even genetics can play a role in tooth loss. Although the odds of losing your natural teeth increase with age, it happens to young adults as well. Don't worry – losing your teeth doesn’t mean losing your beautiful smile, or the pleasure of eating. It also doesn't mean that you don't need a dentist!
Dr. Dean Dietrich, of Pleasant Dental, offers beautiful, comfortable dentures. You might not think that those words go together. Many people associate dentures with bulky, fake-looking appliances that seem to fall out at the most importune times. That's a pretty accurate description of dentures in the past, and even of poorly-designed modern dentures.
Creating a natural appearance
Dr. Dietrich has extensive experience in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and he knows how to avoid many of the common pitfalls. One that might surprise you is the obsession with perfection. Many dentists will attempt to create a perfect shape and uniform color for every perfectly matched tooth. The result looks like a created smile. The secret to a natural, yet beautiful, result is subtle variations, mimicking those found in nature.
When you see a truly dazzling smile, you might think it’s perfect. From a distance, it gives that impression, but if you were to inspect the individual's teeth closely, you would discover perfectly natural color inclusions, and subtle nuances. That perfectly natural look is the goal of true cosmetic dentistry.
Designing a comfortable fit
The appearance of your dentures is only part of the story. It might seem like the most important part when you smile, but when you try to eat, or live your daily life, comfort quickly moves to the top of the list of priorities. When you are considering the fit of an appliance, upper and lower dentures are very different.
- Upper plates tend to be more stable for two reasons. They cover your gums and the roof of your mouth, providing plenty of surface area to form a good bond. Additionally, an upper denture is supported by the upper jaw, which is part of the skull – it doesn't move.
- Lower plates are horseshoe-shaped, to give your tongue free movement. They sit on the lower jaw, which is mobile. The combination often spells trouble for denture wearers. Even with adhesive, it can be challenging to stabilize a lower denture.
Dr. Dietrich takes great care in the accuracy of impressions, resulting in a snug (but not too tight) fit. This in itself goes a long ways towards stability, especially for upper dentures. However, he also offers the option of dental implants. Just a few implants can stabilize an entire denture plate – upper or lower. You can eat anything you want, throw out the adhesive, and smile with confidence!
Don’t endure the discomfort of ill-fitting dentures or, worse yet, no teeth at all! Dr. Dietrich has a great solution to fit your budget and lifestyle. Call Pleasant Dental at and schedule your consultation today. Our office is in Dalton, IL just minutes from South Holland.