I have a situation. Most of my upper teeth are gone. Most of my lower teeth are still there. I don’t have a ton of money, but I know I need to replace my missing teeth. Should I keep the last two teeth and get partial dentures or remove them and complete upper dentures? You should know the upper teeth and lower teeth which remain are healthy. My budget is around five thousand, which will be a factor.
Denny
Dear Denny,
You have three options here. The first is to get rid of the last two upper teeth and get implant overdentures. These place dental implants into the bone, then after a period of healing and time for the bone to integrate with the implants, a denture is attached. However, that typically uses four to six dental implants which will go well above your budget. You might get away with two. Though, I’m not sure this will be absolutely necessary in your particular case.
Usually, when people are talking about complete dentures it includes their lower arch. This is more serious. Your body begins resorbing the minerals in your jawbone when your teeth are removed in order to use them elsewhere in your body. After ten or more years, you are missing so much of your jawbone it is known as facial collapse. If you were talking about your bottom arch, I would say invest as much money as possible to get the dental implants. Your uppoer arch doesn’t face the same risks.
Another option is to keep the two remaining teeth and get partial dentures. You can do that. However, dentures always move a little. This will put a great deal of strain on those healthy teeth, especially with there only being two of them.
Your third option is to have those two teeth removed and get full upper dentures.
I suggest you have a good talk with your dentist and decide which option works best for your particular bite. For instance, with an underbite, dentures will be easier on your lower teeth than natural teeth will. I don’t have the information on your bite, but your dentist will.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.