Types of Dental Removables

Dental removables are typically used in cases where a permanent solution is not available or necessary, like when wearing a night guard to protect your teeth from clenching and grinding. They can also be used as an alternative to permanent treatments for convenience, like when you choose clear braces over traditional metal braces, or removable denture over bridge.

When it comes to finding the right treatment for your dental problem, you will come across a wide range of solutions that comprise both permanent dental work and removable dental appliances.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF REMOVABLE DENTAL APPLIANCES:

1. DENTAL PROSTHESIS

These dental removables are typically used to replace missing teeth, and in so doing, restore the proper function (speech and eating) and aesthetics (smile) of your mouth. They can also be used to fill gaps to prevent the existing teeth from shifting and creating bite problems, or to preserve the underlying bone tissue. These include:

• Removable partial dentures – Used to replace one or more missing teeth. They’re removable unlike dental bridges.
• Full dentures – These are used to replace missing teeth in the entire upper or lower arch. They can be supported by the gum muscles or secured to dental implants.

2. MOUTH GUARDS

As tough as tooth enamel is, it is still susceptible to chipping, breakage, and normal wear and tooth erosion. Fortunately, you can prevent or reduce the extent of the damage by wearing appliances such as:

• Mouthguards – They cushion your teeth against impact and protect your mouth from injury during sports activities
• Night guards – They also cushion your teeth against impact when clenching and grinding your teeth at night, which may lead to excessive tooth wear, breakage, and trauma to the jaw
• Snoring devices – These are specially made appliances that reposition your tongue or jaw to open the airway and minimize soft tissue vibrations and snoring
• Tongue thrust dental guard – This device is designed to block your tongue from applying pressure on your front teeth, which may cause them to shift.

3. REMOVABLE ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES

These are used to preserve orthodontic work or eliminate the need for braces, and include:

• Retainers – A standard post-treatment after the removal of braces to help your straightened teeth stay in their new position
• Removable space maintainer – If children lose their baby teeth to early, they may experience difficulty eating and speaking. They are also at risk of malocclusion when the remaining teeth shift. This appliance can be used to fill the gap before the permanent tooth emerges.

Care for Removable Dental Appliances

Just like your natural teeth, removable oral appliances are prone to breakage, staining, and calculus buildup. Proper care as directed by your dentist is important to enhance their life. Contact My Dentist in Austin to see if which dental application is right for you.

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