Dentures

According  to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR),  3.75% of adults 20 to 64 in the United States are completely edentulous  (toothless). For the overall population in this age group, the average  number of remaining teeth is 24.92 out of a total of 32 permanent teeth.

​

Are dentures a good way to replace missing teeth?

One of the ways to replace missing teeth to restore oral function and appearance is with dentures.  Depending upon the needs of a case, dentures can be used to replace  either a few teeth that have been lost or all of the teeth in the upper  or lower jaws. In addition to reestablishing the look of a complete and  natural smile, dentures also restore support to the natural contours of  the face to eliminate the “sunken” appearance that results from losing  multiple teeth. Whether teeth have been lost for reasons of tooth decay, gum disease, a medical condition, congenital anomaly, or trauma, dentures are an effective method of care.

​

How do dentures work?

Dentures are removable appliances that are designed to precisely and comfortably rest on top of the gums  that cover the jawbones. They can be taken out of the mouth for brief  periods of time to fulfill the oral hygiene requirements of maintaining  the underlying tissues, cleaning the dentures, and sleeping.

​

What are the different types of dentures?

The two main types of dentures are: full dentures and partial dentures. Both types are custom  fabricated based on the exact specifications obtained from dental  impressions and detailed functional as well as esthetic information  provided by the dentist.

​

Full Dentures

Full  dentures, which can also be referred to as, “complete Dentures,” are  designed to replace all of the upper or lower teeth. A complete  maxillary denture, more commonly known as a, full upper denture,  typically consists of a base that covers the roof of the mouth with a  full complement of artificial teeth set around the section covering the  dental arch. On the other hand, a complete mandibular denture, or full  lower denture, is designed to accommodate the tongue and is horseshoe  shaped with teeth set along the portion that covers the underlying  dental arch.

​

• Conventional Full Denture - A conventional full denture is fabricated and placed after all of the remaining teeth have been removed and the tissue is healed. It takes several weeks for extraction sites  to heal and for all of the surrounding bone and gum tissues to fill in  and remodel. By allowing this process to reach completion before taking  the final impressions for a new denture, the most precise and  comfortable fitting prosthesis can be fabricated.

• Immediate  Denture - An immediate denture is one that is inserted on the day the  remaining teeth are removed. With this method of care, a patient does  not have to be without teeth while waiting for complete healing of the  extraction sites. Immediate dentures offer the distinct cosmetic  advantage of not having to be without teeth. However, since the healing  of the extraction sites is occurring while wearing the denture, a reline  or new denture may be required later for improved comfort and fit.

• Overdenture -  An overdenture is a type of complete denture that receives added  stability and support from special attachments that are secured to the  remaining underlying teeth or strategically placed dental implants.

Partial Dentures

A partial  denture is a type of removable prosthesis that is designed to restore a  complete and functional smile in cases where multiple teeth are missing  or require extractions,  while some healthy teeth remain in the dental arch. Custom fabricated  for a precise fit and cosmetically pleasing appearance, partial dentures  are typically secured and stabilized with clasps or precision  attachments to select teeth adjacent to the edentulous areas. Depending  upon the number of teeth being replaced as well as the functional and  aesthetic requirements of the case, a partial denture can be fabricated  from a combination of cast metal and acrylic materials, acrylic alone,  or thermoplastic resins such as ValplastTM, Flexite®, Duroflex® and  tcs®.