What are Dentures?
Dentures function as artificial substitutes for missing teeth, supporting individuals in maintaining their facial structure, everyday eating, and clear speech. Depending on your needs, they can be created to replace one, several, or all teeth.
Restoring gaps left by lost teeth is important for your oral health. If you do not have some or all of your natural teeth, you may find dentures to be a cost-effective option for completing your smile.
Types of Dentures
Dentures may be recommended if you require replacement for an individual tooth, several teeth, or your full set of teeth. Your dentist will guide you toward the most suitable denture type for your situation.
- Full Dentures
If none of your original teeth remain, your dentist might recommend full dentures, which are also known as complete dentures.
These devices can be crafted for the upper or lower gums and typically remain secure via natural suction or, in some cases, an oral adhesive.
You are able to remove full dentures before cleaning or while sleeping.
- Partial Dentures
If you are missing one or multiple teeth but have some natural teeth remaining, partial dentures may be appropriate. These are a removable form of tooth replacement and are sometimes selected when adjacent teeth can't support a fixed bridge.
Partial dentures consist of one or more replacement teeth that fit around your existing natural teeth to hold them in position.
This dental appliance is also removable for both cleaning and overnight rest periods.
- Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are an option designed to give the appearance and function of natural teeth and can enhance comfort by providing a steadier fit. They offer greater long-term stability, contributing to continued chewing and biting efficiency.
Certain implant-supported dentures are not removable without dental assistance, in contrast to traditional full or partial dentures designed to be independently removed at home.
Why Dentures May Be Used
The loss of a significant number of natural teeth may lead to changes in facial muscle support. Dentures can restore facial features and appearance, closely matching your noticed look by replicating your natural teeth.
Refilling spaces that result from tooth loss is beneficial for oral health, helping to prevent potential shifting of the remaining teeth which, over time, can contribute to other dental health risks. With dentures, improved eating function and communication are often possible.