April 2012 - Hope Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

I’ve just gotten a big promotion where I’ll be meeting with important clients. I’d really like for my teeth to look straight, but don’t want to get braces because that would look unprofessional in my opinion. Would a dental flipper work to make them look straight?

Thanks in advance for your advice, Carlton H.- Kentucky

Carlton,

Congratulations on your promotion! A dental flipper is used to replace one or more missing teeth, and it snaps onto your existing teeth with a small wire clasp. It would not work in making your teeth look straight. You do have options though, without getting traditional braces.

One option is to get Invisalign. They straighten your teeth in half the time as braces, but without anyone even knowing you’re wearing them. If you’re in a hurry to improve your smile, you could look into getting porcelain veneers. In just two appointments you could remake many things about your teeth, including their shape and color.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

I’m over 60 years old and have had dentures for much of my adult life. I can’t keep them in any more. Not even with adhesives. My dentist said I don’t have enough of a ridge left. What do you recommend? I’m having a lot of trouble eating and am losing too much weight.

Mildred K. from Ohio

Mildred,

You are in a tough spot. I’m guessing that no one warned you about facial collapse when you first got dentures. As young as you were when you received them, I wish they would have. Once your teeth are extracted your body begins to reabsorb all the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body. After about 10-20 years there isn’t enough bone left to support your dentures. When that happens you need to get bone grafting done in order to build back up bone structure. It is a complicated process.

After that is done, you have two options. First, you can get dentures again, bearing in mind you will have the same problem after the bone has reabsorbed again. Or, you can get dental implants. They are more expensive than dentures, but the root form of the implants makes your body think the tooth root is still there and leaves your jawbone intact. They are much more comfortable and functional the dentures as well.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Can a dental flipper make my teeth look straight

Can’t keep my dentures in

Hope Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

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