What comes to mind when you think of dentures? Do you think of fake-looking teeth floating in a glass of water? If so, your mental image may be a bit outdated. However, dentures existed long before the bulky prosthetics of 10-20 years ago, and the changes they have undergone from their origination to the current day are quite remarkable. To learn more about this transformation, read the information provided by your Brighton dentist, Dr. Thomas Villani, below.
America’s Most Famous Dentures?
Perhaps the most famous dentures in American history belonged to George Washington. Contrary to popular folklore, however, his prosthetic teeth were not wooden. Instead, they were made out of hippopotamus ivory and human teeth. They were said to be quite painful and to cause some facial disfigurement.
The Dentures You Remember
While nothing like the dentures Washington wore, the dentures of several years ago were both heavy and bulky. This weight made them prone to sliding in the mouth, causing irritation and embarrassment. They also tended to look rather fake, leaving room for cosmetic improvement.
The Dentures of Today
Today’s dentures are much sleeker and lighter than ever before. Thus, they are less likely to slip and tend to be more secure and comfortable in the mouth. In addition, advances in cosmetic dentistry have made prosthetic teeth look more realistic than ever before, giving today’s dentures a natural appearance.
If that were not enough, today’s dentures can also be secured by dental implants. Titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone, dental implants act as anchors to keep the dentures stable. With the dentures held firmly in place, patients are able to focus on enjoying life rather than worrying about unsteady dentures. Implant-supported dentures also eliminate the need for the palate to be covered and thus tend to improve patients’ tasting abilities.
Schedule a Visit with Your Brighton Dentist
Do you need dentures to replace your missing teeth? If so, contact Brighton Family Dental Group today at (617) 562-5210 to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Brighton dentist, Dr. Villani. We proudly serve patients from Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Brighton, and the 02135 area.
