What Are the Different Types of Dental Dentures?
Dentures are used when you are missing a tooth or more either due to extraction, decay or accidental knock-out. They consist of artificial teeth and gums made from materials that resemble the structures of the mouth. In the past, dentures were mostly made using porcelain or plastic, but today hard resin is used in their place to give you more natural looking dentures. Wearing dentures is great for people that want to improve the appearance of their smile and at the same time maintain facial structure around the cheeks and lips. with dentures, people with missing teeth can also chew and speak with ease.
To ensure that you get the best outcome from dentures, we explain the options available and when to use each.
Temporary Dentures
The dentures you have fitted right after extracting your teeth are called temporary or immediate dentures. They usually act as a quick but short-term solution to help you carry on with normal life as you wait for your permanent dentures to be ready. Dentists recommend getting these dentures to ease pressure on the remaining teeth so that they are not compromised in any way. People with sensitive teeth or gums will also benefit from wearing temporary dentures while they wait for the long-term set to be fitted.
Complete Dentures
They are also known as traditional full dentures and are used when a patient is missing all their natural teeth. These dentures consist of two removable sets for the lower and upper jaw. Prosthodontists in Coppell, TX, often recommend the use of full dentures to allow you regain function in your mouth. Your appearance is also elevated so that you can smile and feel more confident about yourself.
Complete dentures rely on gum tissue for support. Both the upper and lower dentures rest on the gum tissue with the help of suction or a denture adhesive. You will be ready to wear complete dentures after 8-12 weeks following an extraction or lose of teeth. You can also expect them to last anywhere between 5 to 10 years.
Partial Dentures
At Compassion Smiles, partial dentures are used when you still have some natural teeth left. This is because the remaining teeth sometimes have to act as anchor the denture. The dentures used in this can either be fixed, or removable and can be either on the upper jaw or the lower jaw.
In a removable partial denture, the replacement teeth are attached to a gum-like base which is then connected to a metal framework that clasps onto the adjacent teeth for support. Meanwhile in a fixed partial denture, dental crowns are placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap and then the replacement teeth are attached to them. This gives you a more natural look compared to removable partial dentures. You can consult your dentist on partial dentures in Coppell, TX to identify which of the two is best for you.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Just as the name implies, these are dentures that rely on dental implants for support. They are also referred to as overdentures since only a few implants are used to support the denture. To replace an entire jaw, you will only need 2 to 4 implants.The denture easily snaps on and off the implants so you can easily to take it on and off.
Implant-supported dentures are often used on the lower jaw and are best for those that seek greater support than that provided by traditional dentures.
When wearing any denture for the first time, you may feel a little strange for a few weeks as the muscles in your mouth get accustomed to them. It might be a little uncomfortable and some people may experience slight irritation or soreness and an increase in saliva, but as you get used to them these side effects should wear off. However, if there is pain or increased discomfort, check in with your dentist to rule out any potential problems and ensure the necessary adjustments are made.