DENTURES & PARTIAL DENTURES

A denture is a removable dental appliance used to replace missing teeth. They are made to closely replicate your natural teeth. A denture replaces a few missing teeth or all teeth, improve chewing, speech, and your smile. They also support the cheeks and lips, eliminating the sagging face often associated with missing teeth.

There are two types of dentures, complete dentures and partial dentures. A partial denture is used when some natural teeth remain. The partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting and clasps to remaining teeth for a more firm fit and support.

Complete dentures are used to replace a full set of teeth missing either on the upper or lower jaw. A complete denture can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional denture is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually 4-6 weeks. During that time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and placed at the same appointment that the teeth are removed, preventing the patient from going without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made to an immediate denture to improve the fit of the denture.

Dentures are durable and can last many years but may have to be remade, repaired or relined due to normal or abnormal wear and tear. Proper oral hygiene and denture care is essential to maintaining a good fitting denture. The dental staff will be sure to provide proper denture care and associated oral hygiene necessary to keep denture patients happy.

 

REASONS FOR DENTURES AND PARTIALS:

  • Complete denture – loss of all teeth in an arch
  • Partial denture – loss of several teeth in an arch
  • Enhancing smiles and facial tissues
  • Improving chewing, speech and digestion