Dentures are dental prosthetics that are used to replace several or all of your missing teeth. Wearing dentures allows people to enjoy a wider variety of foods, thus improving their nutrition. Also, dentures can help boost self-confidence and, as a result, the overall quality of day-to-day life. In this article, we discuss the following question: What are the different types of dentures?
What Are the Different Types of Dentures?
Depending on the number of teeth you are missing, your budget, and oral and general health considerations, your dentist will offer you one of the different types of dentures we list below.
Full Traditional Dentures
Full dentures can also be referred to as complete dentures. This type of denture typically replaces the entire arch of teeth—lower, upper, or both arches. Thus, full dentures are suitable for people who are missing all of their teeth on the lower or the upper arches.
Traditional dentures are removable and rely on the gums and the palate or the jawbone for support. Typically, full traditional dentures are custom-made for each patient, meaning that they fit the structure of your mouth.
However, traditional dentures might not be the most comfortable option, as they can slip when you chew or rub your gums. Often, patients who wear traditional dentures need to use a special adhesive product to keep them in place and minimize rubbing.
Due to the way traditional dentures are affixed in the mouth, they typically can provide only about 20 to 30% of natural biting force. Thus, if you choose this type of denture, you will have to adhere to a more limited diet consisting of softer foods. Traditional dentures should be removed every evening and cleaned thoroughly to maintain good oral hygiene and health.
Regardless of the disadvantages traditional dentures have, they still can provide a significant improvement in nutrition and self-confidence. It is a good solution for people who can not have dental implants due to their oral and general health or financial considerations. Also, the artificial teeth can be made of porcelain that looks very natural in the mouth.
Removable Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are similar to full dentures, but they replace only several teeth in a row (or sometimes just one tooth) and not the entire arch. Partial dentures typically consist of a gum-like base and crowns. Unlike full dentures that use the gums, palate, and jawbone for support, partial dentures are attached to the surrounding natural teeth with special connectors.
Snap-In Dentures
Snap-in dentures are also removable and can be full or partial. The difference between this type and traditional dentures is that they are supported not by the gums and jawbone, but by dental implants. Implants are metal posts that are surgically placed directly into the jawbone and then fuse with it over time, providing secure support for dentures. The snap-in method of attachment makes these dentures much more secure and stable in the mouth compared to traditional dentures. Thus, eating with snap-in dentures is comfortable and allows for a broader variety of foods.
However, dentures supported by dental implants are not available for everyone. Dental implant surgery requires sufficient density of the jawbone structure and the ability of the body to regenerate effectively. If the jawbone becomes atrophied due to a long period of teeth absence, you might require bone grafting or other restorative procedures first. Conditions such as gum disease should also be treated before you can have dental implants. Also, some general health considerations might pose a risk of dental implant surgery failure.
Implant-Supported Non-Removable Dentures
Non-removable dentures are considered the most comfortable type of dentures, as they are permanently attached to dental implants. Thus, implant-supported dentures offer the most stability and chewing power, up to 90% of natural biting force.
Implant-supported non-removable dentures are typically cleaned similarly to how you clean your natural teeth. However, you will also have to get used to cleaning the spaces between the denture base and the gums to prevent plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to gum disease and implant failure as a result.
Get Your New Dentures at TruGlo Calabasas
Do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at TruGlo Calabasas to get comfortable, custom-made dentures. We will offer you the most suitable type of denture that will accommodate your needs, based on your preferences, budget, and health considerations. We are looking forward to your visit.
