Temporary dentures improve patients' smiles and overall health

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As people begin to realize how their appearance may influence their social life, a number of are turning to alternative methods to perfect their smile. Temporary dentures are not only economically feasible to wear while waiting for a permanent denture, but they can also aid in a persons overall health and restore a fading smile, as per a research studyfrom the January/February 2008 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistrys (AGD) clinical, peer evaluated journal.

A smile serves as an individuals most powerful tool, says AGD spokesperson Laura Murcko, DMD. A great smile can make great, lasting impression, boost a persons self-esteem and confidence as well as improve their overall health.

However, each year in the United States, over 20 million teeth are extracted, leaving scores of people with imperfect and sometimes devastating smiles. A recent online survey of more than 1,100 AGD members revealed that more than 86 percent of dentists reported that their patients deemed social embarrassment as a problem linked to tooth loss.

Unsightly gaps in the mouth do not have to be part of a persons permanent appearance, says Dr. Murcko. While a number of dentures that help to restore a damaged smile, interim removable partial dentures, also known as temporary dentures provide an immediate and short-term pleasing result.

They also allow the patient to eat regular food and serve as a space maintainer in younger patients whove lost teeth as a result of trauma, as per the lead study author, Canan Bural, DDS.

When people suffer from tooth decay or periodontal disease, losing just one tooth can be a sign that more teeth will be lost. This means that placing a permanent denture in the mouth is difficult. When continued tooth loss is expected in a patient, dentists are limited in terms of the type of dentures they can offer to the patient, explains Dr. Bural. In instances such as these, temporary dentures can greatly benefit the patient.

Survey Says.

Common problems linked to natural tooth loss:

• Reduction in ability to chew91.91%.
  
• Social embarrassment86.35%.
  
• Avoid eating certain foods73.83%.
  
• Feel nervous or self-conscious68.7%.
  
• Emotional pain66.26%

Posted by: Janet    Source