Complete and Partial Dentures

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Complete and Partial Dentures

If you bothered by having one or more missing teeth, or the prospect of having a tooth extracted, you should know that there are a number of solutions available, dentures being one. About 26% of adults over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth.

Even though you have plenty of company, having missing teeth often leaves people feeling more hesitant to smile. Dentures are a possible solution for missing teeth that you should consider, making it easier for you to talk and eat.

Types of Tooth Replacements:

  • Dentures

  • Dental bridges

  • Dental implants

What are dentures?

A denture is a type of prosthetic for replacing one or more missing teeth. Many dentures are conveniently removable, while other types are securely fixed within the mouth and can only be taken out by a dental professional.

Some popular alternatives to dentures are dental bridges and dental implants. Your dentist can help you make the right choice for you and your individual needs during a consultation.

Complete Dentures

When you have lost all of your teeth, complete dentures are one treatment option. There are two types of complete dentures: immediate and conventional.

Immediate dentures can be placed immediately after the removal of your teeth. So you would never go without teeth and can begin enjoying the benefits of your new teeth right away.

In contrast, traditional dentures are created after the removal of your teeth. Before you can be fitted with conventional dentures, your gum tissue must be given time to heal, which can take as long as three months.

If you never want to go without teeth, immediate dentures would make the most sense; keep in mind, however, that immediate dentures are placed right away, so that the gums do not have time to heal. As a result, you would probably need to have them refitted more than once, as the gums tend to change shape over time.

Partial Dentures

If you still have some of your natural teeth, partial dentures are a possibility. Also known as a bridge, a partial is a single replacement tooth.

Some types of partials can be removed, while other ones are attached to gums by using dental crowns on teeth that are on either side.

If you are deciding between types of dentures, and most of your original teeth are still there, partial dentures make the most sense for your needs. They would not only replace missing teeth, but they prevent your natural teeth from shifting into the empty spaces.

Dental Implants

Before going ahead with dentures, your dentist will discuss your other treatment options with you, including dental implants. Although implants are considerably more expensive than dentures, they are long-lasting, fixed within the mouth, and provide the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.