Types of Dentures​​​​​​​

Try as we might to look after our teeth as best as possible, for most of us, dental problems are an inevitable part of life. Unfortunately, sometimes these problems are very difficult to get under control, and this can result in the loss of single or multiple teeth.

Multiple tooth loss can be very challenging. Many people who have several gaps in their teeth report that they feel embarrassed or even ashamed of the appearance of their smile, which can impact on both their professional and personal relationships. This is in addition to the obvious functional problems that accompany the loss of several teeth. However, this doesn’t mean you need to live with the consequences of tooth loss. If you have multiple missing teeth in either your upper or lower jaw, our dentist may recommend that you consider dentures.
 

What are Dentures?

Dentures are removable, false teeth that replace the ones that you have lost. They are usually made from metal, acrylic or nylon and are custom-designed to give you the most natural, aesthetically-pleasing smile possible. They have a slightly unfair reputation as over the years, the design of dentures has dramatically improved, making them a successful solution for many patients with missing teeth.
 

Types of Dentures

Before you can start your journey to a functional, beautiful smile, you will first need to meet with our dentist to choose which type of dentures are suitable for you.
 

Full Dentures

When most people think of dentures, they think of the conventional, full variety. These are recommended to patients who have lost most of the teeth in their upper or lower jaws, and will require any remaining natural teeth to be removed. Any extractions should be carried out a minimum of a month before the impressions for your dentures are taken. This is because the shape of the gums and jaw may change slightly once the natural teeth have been removed. Alternatively, our dentist may suggest re-making your dentures six months or so later, which will give your gums and jaw time to assume their final shape.

Full dentures sit over the top of your gums, and are secured using a special adhesive paste. They may feel strange at first, but most patients quickly adapt to wearing them. However, some patients remain cautious about the foods that they eat, as anything too sticky or chewy could cause the denture to come loose. They will also need to be removed for cleaning, and you should take extra care when handling them as they are very fragile and could break easily if dropped.
 

Partial dentures

As the name suggests, partial dentures refer to replacing just a few missing teeth in either the upper or lower arch. The prosthetic teeth are attached to a plate that is secured to your remaining teeth using metal attachments. The attachments are discreet meaning that your new smile looks beautiful and natural. Much like conventional dentures, partials can feel strange or uncomfortable at first, but you will quickly adapt. They will also need to be removed for careful cleaning.
 

Implant-supported dentures

Implant technology has now been combined with the design of conventional dentures to create implant-supported dentures. These prosthetic teeth are attached to an acrylic plate that sits over the top of your gums, but rather than being attached by adhesive, the plate is instead secured onto a number of titanium implant posts. This benefits the patient by adding increased security and durability to the dentures. However, the denture will still need to be removed for cleaning both the device and your gums. Implant-supported dentures are normally made for the lower jaw where conventional varieties are often found to be less secure due to regular contact with the tongue.
 

If you are interested in finding out more about dentures, contact us and arrange a consultation with our dentist.