Types of Dentures

Answer 1

Dentures are a type of removable mouth piece used to cover hidden teeth and gum tissues. There are two major types of dentures, partial and complete. Partial dentures are typically used when only some teeth are missing while some of your natural teeth remain. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are developed from a set of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic mouth piece. The mouth piece is held securely on the gum line using a metal framework that allows the dentures to adhere naturally to the upper and lower jaw. The dentures can become permanent by attaching crowns to the teeth and then using cement to fix the artificial teeth to each crown. This prevents surrounding teeth from moving.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are used once all the teeth are removed from the gum tissues and are partially healed. Conventional dentures can be placed into the mouth 8 and 12 weeks post teeth removal. Immediate dentures can be positioned into the mouth directly after the teeth are removed as they are made in advance. Since the gums begin to shrink during the healing period, a disadvantage of immediate dentures is that they may need adjustments over time.

An Alternative to Dentures

If you’re looking for a more natural looking alterative to dentures, dental implants should be considered. The implants can be placed permanently onto existing mouth bridges that are already cemented to the teeth. This eliminates the need for traditional dentures. Although dental implants more expensive, they resemble and feel more like real teeth. If interested, consult your doctor as not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants.

How Dentures Are Made

The denture process may take several appointments and up to a month or more to complete. Once your dental professional determines which type of restoration is right for you, the general steps are to make a series of impressions that fit snug against the jaw line and create models of the position where the dentures will be placed. The fitting may need to be adjusted over time as your gums shrink and teeth move. A final cast will be made and the dentures will be fitted into the mouth. Scheduled visits will be needed to check for placement.