If you are missing several or all your teeth, partial or full dentures can significantly improve your quality of life and nutrition. In this article, we discuss the different types of dentures, their advantages and disadvantages, and the issues they can solve.
Benefits of Dentures
Apart from providing aesthetic improvements to the appearance of a patient who is missing teeth, dentures have significant health-related benefits:
- Improved the ability to speak
- Better nutrition due to improved chewing ability
- Face structure support
- Jawbone density loss prevention (with implant-supported dentures)
What Are The Different Types of Dentures?
Dentures can be removable or non-removable and made from a variety of different materials. Each type of denture has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice will depend on the issues you want to solve. Below, we describe the most common types of dentures.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are typically recommended for people who need to replace all their teeth on the upper, lower, or both jaws. This type of denture does not require natural teeth to anchor on, so it rests directly on the gums. Complete dentures are made for each patient to fit the shape of their jawbone and gums for maximum comfort. The dentures resemble natural teeth and can be removed for cleaning and at night.
Complete dentures take some time to get used to. You will most likely have to adhere to an easier-to-chew diet, as the biting force of conventional dentures is much less than that of natural teeth. Your dentures need to be adjusted as your jawbone shrinks over time. The lifespan of conventional dentures is typically 5 to 7 years.
Partial Dentures
As the name suggests, partial dentures replace only some of the missing teeth but not the entire arch. This type of denture is usually anchored to the surrounding existing teeth with a metal framework or dental cement for support. Partial dentures can be removable or permanently affixed in your mouth. Non-removable partial dentures are typically more secure and stable than the removable option, but they can be more expensive.
Immediate Dentures
Typically, immediate dentures are a temporary solution for people who just had their teeth extracted. They are placed in the mouth immediately after the extraction and replaced with permanent dentures when the gums are healed. Immediate dentures can be complete or partial and custom-made for each patient. However, they tend to be slightly less comfortable than permanent ones.
Snap-in Dentures
This type of denture is supported by a set of abutments that are implanted in the jawbone. They can be complete or partial and typically look and feel more natural than other types of dentures. Snap-in dentures are easily removable for cleaning, but they are much more secure and comfortable than dentures that use just the gums for support. The security of snap-in dentures provides more biting force and makes them more convenient for chewing food. Patients who are switching to snap-in dentures after wearing conventional dentures will especially appreciate the difference in comfort and chewing ability.
However, only some patients can have snap-in dentures supported by implants, as you need enough jawbone density and healing capability to receive implants. Also, snap-in dentures are more expensive than other options, and it might take some time to complete the treatment, as your jaw and gums will have to heal after implant placement before dentures can be attached.
Implant-supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are similar to snap-in dentures because they are also secured on dental implants. However, this type of denture is usually non-removable. They can also be referred to as permanent dentures, hybrid dentures, or all-on-four (if they are supported by four implants).
Non-removable implant-supported dentures are the most comfortable and natural-looking compared to other types of dentures. They also can be brushed inside the mouth like natural teeth and are ideal for people who want chewing force and security similar to those of natural teeth.
However, this type of denture requires a more complex cleaning routine because you will have to floss daily underneath them.
Make an Appointment Today
If you are missing some or all of your teeth, dentures might be a great solution that will help improve your confidence and quality of life. Do not hesitate to contact the Riverside dental office today and make an appointment with one of our specialists. We work only with high-quality materials and will help you choose dentures that will work best in your case.
We look forward to your visit.
