Complete Denture

Complete dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about nine months after the teeth have been removed.

Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.

Partial Dentures

A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal or acrylic framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw and the artificial teeth can use them for anchorage. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position. A precision partial denture is removable and has internal attachments rather than clasps that attach to the adjacent crowns. This is a more natural-looking appliance.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant supported dentures (or simply implant dentures) are a type of full overdenture that is secured in place by dental implants instead of simply resting on the gums as conventional dentures. Implant supported dentures can be used in either the lower or upper jaw, but generally upper jaw dentures need a larger number of denture implants for adequate support.