Dentures are divided into two main categories: complete dentures and partial dentures.
Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing from either the top or bottom jaw. They are also used when all of the teeth are missing from both the top and bottom jaws. A complete denture is made from acrylic and fits over your gums. It is designed to allow you to eat and speak properly after you have lost all of your teeth. The complete denture also works to fill out your lips and helps to minimize wrinkles that can develop when your lips sag after your teeth have been extracted.
If you have teeth that are failing or hurting, and you need to have them extracted, a denture can be made before the teeth are removed. It can then be placed in your mouth at the time you have your teeth extracted. This means you will not have to worry about being seen with all of your teeth missing.
Partial dentures are used to replace one or more teeth that have been extracted. They are a good choice if other options are too expensive. Partial dentures are usually made from a metal frame that fits onto your teeth. It can have clips to make it stable when you talk and eat. If you do not want clips showing, there are options that can make the stabilizing clips less noticeable.
When you have some of your teeth removed, your remaining teeth can tip and shift. This can make it more difficult to clean your teeth, which may lead to gum disease or cavities. Partial dentures work to replace these missing teeth as well as to stop your remaining teeth from shifting. They also allow you to eat better by giving you more teeth to chew with.
Both complete and partial dentures can be made more stable by using dental implants as anchors in your jaw. To learn more about dental implants, please click here.
