Dentures

Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.

A fixed bridge replaces one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. This “bridge” is then cemented into place. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position.

Full dentures replace all of the missing teeth on the upper or lower arch. The “false” teeth are held in place by a coral pink ‘gingiva’ colored plastic base.

Implant supported dentures are a great option when 2 to 4 implants can be placed to hold dentures more securely in the mouth. This treatment option prevents the speech issues and movement issues experienced with full dentures.

Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore, a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.

Dentures are a long time option for people missing teeth on an entire arch. They can feel bulky and may affect speech and shift during chewing. Because there are no teeth remaining to stimulate the jaw bone, over time, bone resorption occurs which is a gradual shrinking of bone. This changing of the tissue that is supposed to be supporting the denture necessitates the periodic adjustment of the denture to keep it fitting well. Dentures are the most economical option for replacing all the teeth in an arch.