A denture is a removable dental appliance for the replacement of missing teeth. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and can enhance your smile.
There are two types of dentures – complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
A complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made when a patient is already entirely without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed when the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments (relines) will have to be made.
Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or adjusted due to normal wear.
Reasons for dentures:
- Complete Denture – Loss of all teeth in an arch
- Partial Denture – Loss of several teeth in an arch
- Enhancing smile and facial tissues
- Improving chewing, speech, and digestion
What does getting dentures involve?
The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. Highly accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Several “try-in” appointments may be necessary to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit. Because dentures are removable, they are never as good as your natural teeth or other fixed restorative options. However, with the development of dental implants, dentures can now be fabricated that “snap” onto implants to hold them in place.
