DENTURES
There are three types of dentures, based on the number of missing teeth and treatment goals for a patient’s mouth:
1. Removable Partial Dentures. If you have multiple missing teeth but still have some of your natural teeth remaining, a removable partial denture may be the solution to your dental needs. A removable partial denture replaces areas with missing teeth and uses the adjacent natural teeth as anchors to help keep the denture secure and in place.
2. Complete or Full Dentures. If you have no remaining natural teeth, or if the condition of the existing teeth is poor and need to be extracted, a complete or “full” denture may be the best option to restore your smile. This type of denture can fit the full arch of both your upper and lower jaws and also looks very esthetic.
3. Implant Supported Dentures. If you have little or no remaining natural teeth, you may consider implant supported dentures, which is the premier choice for restoring large spanning spaces. Implant supported dentures allow you to snap the complete denture into place and minimizes the amount of movement of the denture during use. This option allows the patient to chew with much higher force than dentures that are not reinforced with implants, which aids in nutrition, digestion, and comfort.
There are several materials that can be used exclusively or in combination to create your denture. Your dentist will review your treatment goals to determine the best combination for you based on the stability of your bite, your esthetic goals, and the condition of any remaining teeth.
Without a denture, facial muscles may sag and make an individual look older. Having a denture fabricated, whether partial or full, helps to make the face look fuller, younger, and stabilizes the bite for functionality. It is important to replace missing teeth so that your bite does not change and teeth do not drift, which can further compromise the stability of your teeth and jaw.
Your dentist will review your treatment needs and goals to determine what restorative option will provide both function and proper form to get you smiling and at your best!