What are the Types of Dentures?

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If you are missing multiple teeth in one area of your mouth, dentures wilmington nc are a great and natural-looking way to restore the form and function of your mouth. Dentures are a dental prosthetic and are usually able to be removed for easy cleaning.

All types of dentures are fabricated using porcelain teeth that are mounted on to an acrylic base which has been tented to match the color of your gum tissue.

Types of Dentures

  1. Partial dentures are used if you are missing teeth in just one area of your mouth. A partial denture relies on healthy neighboring teeth to which they are attached. It is important to replace missing teeth in one area of the mouth to ensure the integrity of the remaining healthy teeth. Partial dentures keep adjacent teeth in place and allow opposing teeth a biting surface.
  2. Traditional full dentures are what most people think of when they hear the word dentures. Full dentures replace all teeth in your mouth and are held in place using a combination of retention and adhesion.
  3. Immediate dentures are placed immediately following extraction. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you were a candidate for immediate dentures as not every patient is. Immediate dentures are very beneficial in that they protect the extraction site as it heals.
  4. Snap-in dentures are a less costly option as opposed to full dentures but they do require implants that support the dentures. Snap-in dentures are affixed directly onto the implants.
  5. Implant-supported dentures are a full denture and can be used on either the top arch or the bottom arch or both when necessary. This option is the most expensive option because it requires the placement of multiple implants in the jaw. They cannot be removed except by your doctor but they are very sturdy and aesthetically pleasing.
  6. Overdentures are also implant-supported but they are able to be removed by the patient for daily cleaning and maintenance.

Your dentist will help you determine which denture option would best suit you. If you were only missing a few teeth and have a significant number of remaining healthy teeth, a partial denture will be your best bet. If you will require extraction, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon who will extract the necessary tooth or teeth and place implants if needed. After you have healed you can be fit for your new denture.

If your dentist has a dental lab in their office, they will be able to fabricate your entire denture in-house. Most dental offices will use a dental lab to design and fabricate your denture. This will be done using and model of your teeth which is made by your dentist from an impression they take of your mouth.

Once your new denture is ready, your dentist will have you come in for a fitting. You should anticipate needing a couple of follow-up visits to make sure that your new denture fits as good as possible. A denture can be too tight or too loose and will just need some simple adjustments.

While it does take time to get used to a new dental prosthesis, your dentist wants you to be comfortable so let them know if you are having trouble adjusting or if your denture hurts or pinches or if you notice sores developing on your gums.

More on Dentures: What are Partial Dentures?