Because everyone’s mouth and oral health is unique, there are a number of types of conventional dentures available, including partials, full dentures, immediate dentures and overdentures.
As the name suggests, partial dentures (also called partials or removable partial denture prosthesis) are designed for patients with a few missing teeth.
The partial dentures themselves consist of one or more artificial teeth that are held in place with a clasp. These can be taken out by the patient at night before bed and for cleaning.
Full dentures (also called complete dentures) are for patients who have lost all of their teeth. Some people may find these uncomfortable at first as they do take some getting used to. Full dentures are held in place by suction or adhesives. The two types of full dentures are immediate dentures and complete dentures.
Immediate dentures are made prior to having your teeth extracted and put into place immediately. The advantage of this is that you do not have to wait until your mouth heals (up to six months) to have a full set of teeth again.
Complete dentures are usually put in place once gums and jaw have healed.
Types of Dentures
Although Wellness Dental offers care for nearly all emergency dental scenarios, here are some of the most common issues we see in our office:
Partial dentures are designed to replace several missing teeth at one time. They can be made of acrylic with metal or flexible clasps that wrap around your remaining teeth. Partial dentures are a good option if you still have some natural teeth remaining.
Quick FAQ
If you are experiencing extensive tooth loss or have non-restorable teeth, you may need dentures to fully restore your smile all at the same time. Dentures can help improve your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. We typically recommend preserving your natural teeth when possible, but sometimes they need to be removed for therapeutic purposes. If that’s the case, dentures are one of the fastest and most affordable solutions to replace all of your missing teeth at one time.
It is actually very easy to take care of dentures. You will need to clean them every day with warm water to prevent warping. There are many clinic products to clean dentures. There are even electronic denture baths that are pretty economical.
Great oral hygiene is key for maintaining the health of your denture, gums, supporting bone, and any remaining teeth. You should brush your dentures daily with a soft-bristled denture brush and mild soap or approved cleaner. Be sure to rinse your dentures thoroughly to remove any residual food or cleaning products. It’s best to soak your dentures overnight, since you won’t be wearing them while you sleep.
Cut your food into smaller pieces: To make it easier to chew firm textures, cut your food into small pieces for the first few weeks.
Avoid sticky or hard foods: Firm or tacky textures can be difficult to chew with dentures and may cause your dentures to shift.
Chew slowly and carefully: Take smaller bites and chew your food more slowly and thoughtfully.
Use both sides of your mouth: When chewing, try to use both sides of your denture to distribute the pressure evenly and prevent your dentures from tipping.
Be mindful of bones and pits: Be careful when eating meat with bones or fruit with pits. These hard textures can be difficult to chew around with dentures and may cause damage to your prosthesis.
With proper care and caution, you can enjoy a wide variety of foods with your dentures. If you have any questions or concerns about eating with dentures, we can provide you with specific guidance based on your individual needs and situation.
Whether or not you should get dentures depends on your individual needs, how many healthy teeth you still have, and several other factors. At Wellness Dental, we can help you determine if dentures are the best option for you or if an alternative is available.
A well-fitting pair of dentures rarely require adhesives. However, some people find they can benefit from denture paste when wearing lower dentures. Since upper dentures are stabilized by creating a suction, they should be able to comfortably rest against your gums without any adhesives.
The cost of dentures depends on the type of denture and the materials used. Traditional dentures typically cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per arch on average.
Our treatment coordinators will help you estimate any insurance benefits as they relate to your denture design and discuss affordable financing plans that are available.
With dentures, you can eat most foods, but there are some foods that may require more care and caution. When you first get your dentures, we recommend that you start with soft, easy-to-chew foods. From there, you can gradually add more foods to your diet.