Dentures – Complete or Partial Denture

A denture (complete or partial denture) is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.

What are Complete Dentures?

• A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
• An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
• An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
• A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.

The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination thereof. Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically treated teeth and a complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.

Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.

What are Partial Dentures?

A removable partial denture is an artificial tooth appliance used to replace one or several missing teeth, and is attached to remaining teeth with metal clasps. These dentures are removable to allow for easy cleaning. The base of removable partial dentures is usually made of acrylic or metal. The gums are made from acrylic, and the artificial teeth are made from acrylic or porcelain.

Your dentures will be designed by Dr. Smith to best fit your specific needs. Because they require use of soft tissue and remaining teeth, a thorough examination will be performed to determine if dental work is needed prior to removable partial denture fitting.

Benefits of Removable Partial Dentures:

• Protects the health of oral tissues, and prevent other teeth from drifting into gaps left by missing teeth. When teeth drift, they open spaces where food particles can become trapped, creating bacteria growth and gum disease.
• Restores the comfort of normal chewing, eating, and speech once skewed by tooth loss.
• Improves your appearance and bolsters confidence lost when teeth were missing.