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While not a subject many of us like to discuss, at some point you may need to consider the different types of dentures available today.
You can lose teeth for a plethora of reasons. It can be through tooth decay, or it can be through injury, or it can be through a wide variety of other oral health problems. However, if you face any of such issues, your dental professional will probably talk to you about dentures.
Yes, dentures are fake teeth, basically an artificial replacement for your natural teeth. They are made up of special plastics, resin and acrylic, and sometimes lightweight metal, that is designed to look just like the original thing.
They are removable appliances that are more or less, permanently fastened to the bone. They can be removed for cleaning or at night, or whenever desired. Here is a guide on the different types of dentures available:
Types Of Dentures
From the minimal metal frame to the total acrylic, there are different types of dentures. Here is a quick guide:
Partial Dentures
These type of dentures are used when some original teeth remain in the mouth, that is when just a couple of teeth in the mouth need replacing. The already existing teeth enhance the stability of the denture which may be removable or fixed.
These dentures also help in maintaining the correct alignment of the remaining teeth, thereby keeping them from shifting.
Removable Partial Dentures
These type of dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored or pink plastic base which is at times fixed by metal framework that helps to hold the denture in proper place in the mouth.
Fixed Partial Dentures
These types of dentures use crowns on the teeth situated on either side of a gap in order to fix a fake tooth which is fused into place.
Standard Dentures or Complete Dentures or Full Dentures
These types of dentures are considered when all the teeth are missing. They are made up of acrylic mouth piece that complies with the roof and gums of the mouth. They require a precise fitting in order to accomplish the level of suction the dentures require to ensure a proper fit.
In addition to this, they typically require 4 visits to design, fit and manufacture, but the denture professional will constantly work as long as necessary, in order to make sure the patient has a comfortable fit.
The full set of lower or upper teeth is replaced with a removable device. Often patients experience sores under the dentures due to slipping. In addition to this, some of them do not even look like original teeth. Further, there are two types of debentures: conventional and immediate.
Immediate Dentures or Temporary Dentures
These type of dentures are placed in the mouth as soon as the original teeth have been extracted so that patients do not have to move around without teeth. These dentures are made in advance of the surgery.
However, a new set of dentures may be required as soon as the gums heal. This is because the healing process changes the fit of immediate or temporary dentures.
Conventional Dentures
They are made after all the remaining teeth are extracted, and the gum and the mouth tissue has been completely healed. This healing process can take 3 months, and once the time period is complete, these dentures can be worn.
Which Type Of Denture Should I Choose?
- Removable Partial Denture is appropriate for those who are missing just a few teeth. They also work best on the upper jaw.
- Fixed Partial Dentures are ideal for people if their original teeth are set at an angle where a temporary denture will not hold in place well.
- Partial dentures are perfect for those who have some natural teeth missing.
- Standard or Full or complete dentures are ideal for people who are missing all their teeth.
- Conventional dentures are perfect for people who are already missing all their teeth in one or both their jaws.
- Immediate or temporary dentures are placed in the mouth the moment your natural teeth have been removed. They give you an advantage of walking out of a dental clinic with new teeth the same day itself. For most people they become permanent, and are worn during a couple of months needed for healing, following complete tooth loss.
The advancement in dental technology has brought us the most comfortable and natural looking dentures the world has known to date. So you can go in for the denture you and your dentist feels is appropriate for you. Also, regular check-ups are imperative to ensure the proper maintenance of the dentures along with your overall dental health.
