Dentures, also known as false teeth, are prosthetic devices made to replace missing teeth. Conventional dentures are removable and are made to resemble your natural teeth. They will greatly improve your overall appearance; however, dentures are not meant to feel like your natural teeth and will take some getting used to. A few conventional dentures available are complete dentures, partial dentures, and one-hour dentures.
Continue reading below or refer to the “dental implants” section to read about other denture options that are connected to implants, improving the stability of conventional dentures.
Complete Dentures
Conventional removable complete dentures are one of the more affordable options to replace all missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw; however, they do not have the retention that implant-supported dentures provide. They are typically held in place with denture adhesive, and most patients have to spend significant time and effort to become accustomed to traditional complete dentures. Most are limited to about 20% function when compared to their natural teeth and are also limited to the types of food they can chew. This denture will need a few adjustments, as the gums will need to get used to the new denture. Complete dentures are made in a lab, are custom-made, and tend to last 5-10 years.
Partial Dentures
A removable partial denture is used when a few teeth are missing in the upper or lower jaw. It consists of replacement teeth attached to a plastic or metal base that sits on the gums. This type of denture will also need a few adjustments, as the gums will need to get used to the new denture.
One Hour Dentures
These dentures are temporary and can be fabricated in just one visit. They are made by using one of five standard templates. One-hour dentures are significantly less expensive than conventional dentures but are only temporary and are not meant to last a long time. These are commonly used immediately following teeth extractions.
Implant-Supported Dentures: (see “Dental Implants” section for more information)
Implant-supported dentures provide stability and resemble the function of natural teeth much more than conventional removable dentures. The implants provide the dentures with something to snap into, preventing the denture from moving around or falling out while talking or chewing.
We have several options that provide additional support to dentures:
- Locator implants
- Mini implants
- Fixed-hybrid
- All-on-four
- Screw-in bridges, etc.
Please feel free to ask our dentists about the differences between these procedures. We are happy to answer any questions and are committed to helping you find the treatment that works best for you!
