What Type of Dentures Do I Need?
As replacements for missing teeth, modern-day dentures are custom-made, natural looking and more comfortable than ever before. Dentures help individuals eat and speak with confidence, while supporting the natural structure of the face. Yet, many have questions regarding dentures, including which type may be best for them. To further your understanding of dentures, let’s take a look at the following options:
- Full Dentures
- A full, complete denture consists of two parts—upper and lower. Covering the palate, the base of the upper denture is flesh-colored, or “pink.” The lower denture is a horseshoe shape, allowing room for the tongue. In essence, full dentures replace all of the teeth along the upper or lower dental arch, which makes it the best replacement system for those with major tooth loss.
- Full dentures can be placed immediately or after several months. As one can imagine, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. For instance, with a conventional full denture, dentists wait until gum tissues are fully healed before placing the denture. Because healing takes several months, the patient will be without teeth during this time. On the contrary, an immediate full denture may be placed right after tooth loss or extraction. In this case, patients benefit from having teeth right away. However, you should know that denture relining is often necessary after several months to “reshape” the denture.
- Partial Dentures
- If a patient needs a few teeth replaced in a row, a partial denture is often an effective option. Partial Dentures are attached to adjacent teeth by a metal framework, or by crowns that have been placed on the teeth. This is an ideal solution when you have multiple missing teeth but still have healthy existing teeth that can stay intact.
Which Option Is for Me?
When it comes to full versus partial dentures, it boils down to the extent of tooth loss one has experienced. As your trusted Elk Grove dentist, we can determine which is best for you. Call Laguna West Dental today to learn more about our high-quality dentures that look and feel like natural teeth.