Types of Dentures

Dentures in poulsbo washington are a great way to restore the form and function of your mouth. There are a number of denture options available to patients who are looking to replace missing teeth. Dentures are fabricated with porcelain teeth that are mounted onto an acrylic base which has been tinted to match the color of your gum tissue. Most dentures are removable for easy cleaning and maintenance. Below, we will review the different types of denture options.

Types of Dentures

• Partial dentures are for patients who are missing a few teeth in one area of the mouth. A partial denture uses healthy neighboring teeth to stay in place by means of metal or acrylic clasps. It is important to replace missing teeth to maintain the integrity of remaining healthy teeth. Partial dentures keep adjacent teeth from shifting into an open space and give opposing teeth a biting surface. Partial dentures are able to be removed by the patient.
• Traditional full dentures replace all of the teeth on either one or both watches of the mouth and are held in place using a combination of retention and adhesion. Full dentures are able to be removed by the patient.
• Immediate dentures are placed immediately following extraction surgery, allowing the patient to leave the oral surgeon’s office with a full smile. They are a great way to protect the extraction site as it heals. Not everyone is a candidate for immediate dentures but your dentist and oral surgeon will determine your candidacy. Immediate dentures are able to be removed by the patient.
• Snap-in dentures are supported by dental implants and are a less costly option than full dentures. Snap-in dentures are affixed directly onto implants and can be either removable or permanent.
• Implant-supported dentures or an “all-on-four” is a full denture that can replace one or both arches. This type of implant-supported denture is the most expensive option but it is the most stable and aesthetically pleasing. 4 to 6 implants are placed in either jaw and the denture is screwed into the implant. This implant-supported denture cannot be removed by the patient.

If you are having a number of teeth extracted or have had teeth fall out, your dentist can help determine if a denture would be the best treatment for you and if so, which type. Patients with a few teeth missing in one area are best suited for a partial denture that can be fixed or removable. If it is fixed, it is cemented in place whereas removable partials are held in place by metal or acrylic clasps. If you are missing all of the teeth on one or both arches, you may be able to have an implant-supported denture, your dentist will refer you to a periodontist or oral surgeon who will determine if you are able to receive implants.

Once your extraction sites are fully healed, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth to make a model for the dental lab. The dental lab will use the model of your teeth to fabricate your denture with correct measurements to be sure that it will fit properly. When your dentist receives your denture back from the lab, they will have you back into the office for a fitting.

If you ever feel that your denture is not fitting properly, make sure to visit your dentist as soon as possible. A loose denture can rub and cause sores and a denture that is too tight can pinch. Your dentist may be able to adjust your denture in the office but if it needs a major adjustment, they may have to send it back to the lab.

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