2 Benefits Of Using Partial Dentures To Fill The Gaps In Your Teeth

When you have several missing teeth, the gaps that they leave behind may make you feel self-conscious. You may also find that you have difficulty biting into and chewing some foods. Because of this, you may have considered getting dentures. Since the teeth that are still present are healthy, however, you may be thinking about being fitted for partial dentures.

While these partials do help fill the gaps that are causing issues with eating and your possible self-esteem issues from having an imperfect smile, they can do more than that. Below are a couple of other benefits that you will find when you use partial dentures to fill in the gaps in your teeth.

1. Helps To Keep The Teeth From Shifting And Weakening The Jawbone

One added benefit of using a partial set of dentures is that they can help stabilise the teeth around them. When you have teeth missing, those that are still present will start to shift because they are no longer reinforced. 

When this happens, the teeth will lose stability and will start to shift. As they shift, they put pressure on the jawbone, which can cause stress fractures and weakening of the bone tissue. When weakened, the bone becomes brittle, which can lead to further tooth loss. When a bridge or other partial set is fitted to fill these gaps, stability is returned to the adjacent teeth and bone.

2. Provides Support For Your Facial Muscles To Help Forestall Premature Wrinkles

Another benefit of refilling the gaps in your teeth with partials is that they can help forestall premature wrinkling of your skin. When intact, your teeth help to support the facial muscles. When supported, this support helps to keep the skin taut.

However, when even one or two teeth are missing, the muscles located over the gaps become weak. Because they have lost some of their support, the muscles are no longer able to keep the skin stable, which loosens it and creates wrinkles. Once the gaps are filled, their support can help slow down the formation of wrinkles.

Your teeth do more than help you chew. They also help to keep your jawbone stable and strong while supporting the muscles in your face. Gapped areas become vulnerable to weakening unless they are filled with a replacement. If you have these gaps in your teeth, contact a dentist near you to see if partial dentures would be beneficial for you.