With partial dentures and gentle care in our office near Oakley, CA, we can help you regain confidence in your smile

The smile is a vital facial feature that does a lot of communicating, even when we aren't speaking. It is our natural tendency as humans to form first impressions of one another within just a few seconds, basing much of our opinion on appearance. People who are missing a tooth or teeth may find that they smile less, or not as widely as they naturally would. They may not feel comfortable laughing with the abandon they once did, feeling somewhat embarrassed about the gap in their smile. Confidence can be affected even if the missing tooth or teeth were positioned at the back of the mouth. Today, there are several options for tooth replacement, including partial dentures, which we design in our office near Oakley, CA.

For our mouths to be fully functional, and our smiles aesthetically pleasing, we need all of our teeth. Tooth loss often leads to more complicated cosmetic problems if the gap is not filled, as surrounding teeth will shift when space allows. The absence of teeth also leads to degeneration within the underlying bone over time, affecting the level of support provided to facial structure. To address the issue of tooth loss, your dentist offers several solutions so that you may find the one that best meet your needs.

For decades, people have considered dentures as their ideal option for tooth replacement. In many cases, partial dentures may supply the necessary form and function for maximum confidence. Modern-day dentures, both full and partial, are created from high quality materials and attention to detail that facilitates a comfortable, secure fit.

Partial dentures are sometimes considered a type of bridge. The difference between partials and a fixed bridge, which is also commonly used to replace a few missing teeth, is that a partial denture is removable. Relying on suction between the appliance and the gums, a partial is not likely to offer the same level of stability as is available with a fixed bridge. Fixed bridges may replace one or more teeth when teeth remain on each side. This type of bridge involves covering the teeth on each side of the empty space with custom fitted dental crowns, to which an artificial tooth or teeth have been fused.

Your smile is uniquely yours, and it should suit your functional and aesthetic needs. Dr. Alkhoury has helped many patients successfully handle tooth loss for restored confidence in their smiles. Contact us today to learn more about your options for tooth replacement.