What are Dentures and Partial Dentures?

Dentures are essentially removable replacements for missing teeth. Two types of dentures are available: complete, or full, dentures and partial dentures. Patients who need to replace an entire row of teeth use full dentures. On the other hand, partial dentures, or partials, are used when only a few of the teeth need to be replaced and some of the natural teeth are still intact. At the Love Your Smile Dentistry, full and partial dentures are fabricated to resemble natural teeth as closely as possible while also taking into consideration the patient’s comfort when wearing them.

What Kind of Dentures/Partials Would Work Best for Me?

Each denture, full or partial, is custom-made to fit the unique requirements of each patient. Impressions of the patient’s mouth will be taken in order to facilitate the fabrication of dentures and so they will fit proportionately.

Conventional full dentures are used to replace a full set of teeth either on the upper or lower jaw. When all of the patient’s natural teeth have been removed and the gum tissues have healed, conventional full dentures may be placed in the mouth. In between, the patient may be fitted with an immediate denture that can be inserted on the same day the teeth are extracted. Using immediate full dentures is beneficial for the patient because this means that he does not have to go without teeth for a certain period. Readjustment of the dentures will have to be made after several months because the supporting bone will reshape as it heals and this will cause the denture to loosen.

Partial dentures, or partials, are dentures that replace only a few missing teeth in the patient’s mouth. Partials rest on a metal framework that will be latched onto the patient’s natural teeth for support. If the patient’s existing teeth are insufficient, dental crowns are usually used to augment the natural teeth and serve as more stable anchors for the partial dentures.

What Should I Expect from Getting Dentures or Partials?

Regardless of whether a patient gets partial or full dentures, the transition may feel uncomfortable and awkward at first. It may take a little while for the patient to get used to eating and speaking with the dentures and it takes roughly the same amount of time for the cheeks and the tongue to learn how to naturally hold your dentures in place. During the initial period, it is not uncommon for the patient to experience an excessive production of saliva, irritations stemming from feeling like the space inside the mouth has become cramped and like the lips are being pushed forward, and some level of soreness. If the irritation escalates to an unbearable level, do not hesitate to visit your dentist for a check up.

How Do I Maintain My Dentures or Partials?

Extra care must be taken when handling dentures or partials because they are delicate and could break when dropped. It is also important to prevent dentures or partials from drying out so place them in the specified soaking solution or plain water when not in use. Avoid hot water because this will cause the denture to lose its shape. Brush dentures daily to dislodge food deposits and prevent them from becoming stained.

What is an Implant-Supported Denture?

A traditional denture rests on the gum line, using the suctioning effect of the mouth to hold it in place. If you want a more secure fit, consider a denture anchored by dental implants. As few as two dental implants can keep the denture from slipping and provide more stability when eating and speaking.