Your guide to Types Of Dentures

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If you’ve experienced tooth loss or you have severely weakened or damaged teeth,
dentures can improve the quality of your smile and your life. Dentures transform your
smile, allow you to eat your favorite foods again and play a critical role in restoring self-
esteem all while bringing vitality back into your daily life.
If you’re in the process of researching different types of dentures to see which one is
right for you, this little guide will help. Remember, the more you know, the more
empowered you become, then you become the best advocate for yourself and your oral
health.

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Types of dentures

Maybe you’ve heard these terms being used and it left you saying “huh?”. We hear you.

Here’s a really simple break down on 3 types of dentures most commonly talked about.

• Conventional Full Dentures: these are used once all your teeth have been removed

and your gums have fully healed.

• Immediate Full Denture: these are used immediately after your teeth have been

extracted. They must be relined after your gums heal… typically a few months.

• Partial Dentures: these use a metal framework that attaches to your existing, natural

teeth, providing replacements for only a couple teeth.

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Full dentures

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Full dentures are what’s required when you’ve lost all your upper and lower teeth.
Makes sense seeing as you’ll require a full set of dentures. If there are still a few natural
teeth left, they’ll most likely need to be extracted. At that time there are two options
available.

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Immediate Dentures

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These dentures are made before your teeth extractions. Then on the day you’re natural
teeth are pulled, your immediate dentures are inserted. The advantage of an immediate
denture is you then continue to eat, smile and get back to your life more quickly. The
dentures also help protect the oral tissue after your extractions, which minimizes
bleeding and encourages healing.
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There are a few ‘cons’ to immediate dentures. The biggest one is the inability to try
them on before you’re presented with them. Because of that, you won’t see how they
look and the fit might not be as accurate as post-immediate dentures.
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Post Immediate Dentures
These dentures are made after all your natural teeth have been extracted, your gums
have significantly healed and you’re able to take an impression. You’ll be without teeth
for approximately two weeks but the longer you wait, the better the end result. Your
post-immediate dentures are made with precision and accuracy and you’re able to try
them before they’re finished. Then adjustments can be made and you’ll get the best fit
possible.

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*Note. After extractions, it can take awhile for things to heal and settle. You’ll need to
see your denturist regularly while this is taking place. The denturist might have to make
adjustments or add temporary liners to keep your tissues and bone healthy and
minimize harm.

Full dentures

Full dentures are made out of porcelain or acrylic and they’re held together by an acrylic
or metal base. Both upper and lower dentures rest on gum tissue with the suction
helping to keep them in place. Denture adhesive can also help secure your dentures
and stopping food particles from being trapped. With proper care and maintenance, full
dentures can last anywhere from 5–10 years.

Partial dentures

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As the name suggests partial dentures are needed when you have some of your natural
teeth remaining. Upper and/or lower partial dentures are designed to fill the gap created
by missing teeth. Partials can be unclipped and removed when needed, helping boost
your confidence when you’re missing a small number of teeth.
They can be attached to teeth with clasps or crowns and precision attachments. Partial
dentures can have a metal framework, resin base or they can be made with a Valplast
flexible resin. They are convenient and removable, allowing you the flexibility to take
them out whenever needed. Partials help prevent other teeth from shifting and moving.
Filling in the space created by missing teeth is essential to a person’s well being on so
many levels. It helps you chew and digest food properly, not to mention being able to
participate in social functions with ease. Partial dentures improve speech, support your
facial muscles, prevent your remaining teeth from shifting and give your smile and
confidence a boost.

Implant supported dentures

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While a regular denture rests on the gums, an implant-supported denture is held in
place securely through an implant. It’s ideal for someone without any teeth but who still
has strong and healthy bone. Special attachments snap on between the implant and the
denture leaving the denture anchored in with less chances for movement and more
comfort when eating, talking and smiling.
Implant-supported dentures can be used on either the upper or lower jaws with the
lower jaw being less stable percentage wise therefore, it seems more implant-supported
denture work. Upper jaws are usually more durable and don’t need the extra support
offered by implants.
You should remove an implant-supported denture daily to clean the denture and gum
area. Just as with regular dentures, you should not sleep with the implant-supported
dentures at night.
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Eastview Denture Clinic and Michael Seles offers a free, one-hour consultation
designed to help you determine some of your options, while having all your questions

and concerns answered. Mike is thoughtful, approachable and truly wants to walk your
thought this experience.

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