Types of Dentures and Their Uses

Dentures are a great solution for missing or weak teeth. Dentures are removable dental prosthetics that imitate a partial or full set of teeth. While we place traditional dentures on the gums, there are also implant-supported dentures that we can attach to a base we place on the jawbone. This base is typically a titanium implant that holds the dentures in place.

The type of dentures you end up with often depends on a number of factors like how many of your natural teeth are missing and what the integrity of your jawbone looks like.

Here is a closer look at the different types of dentures:

1. Full Dentures

As the name implies, we can use these dentures to replace a full set of teeth. The device we use replaces a set of upper teeth by remaining in place thanks to the base that keeps it securely on the roof of the mouth and gums. While a full set of dentures works in a similar way, it is a horseshoe shape to avoid obstructing the tongue.

Before installing a set of full dentures, your dentist will remove any remaining teeth.

2. Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are a great solution if you are only missing a few teeth. We can attach partial dentures directly to the natural teeth using metal clasps. We may also recommend putting crowns on the natural teeth that we will need to use for support if there are signs of damage or decay.

3. Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are arguably the most effective way to deal with missing teeth.  We attach implant-supported dentures to implants that we place in the jawbone. It may take a few visits to complete the process and ensure that everything works properly. However, it will be worth the wait.

One of the main benefits of implant supported dentures is the fact they are more secure than other denture types. Traditional ones tend to slip out of place regardless of how well they fit.

The two main types of implant-supported dentures are ball-retained and bar-retained dentures. We fix a thin metal bar to multiple implants in the jawbone for the latter. We then attach the denture to the bar using clips or something else along those lines.

Ball-retained dentures come with sockets that lock into place on the ball-shaped outward facing end of the implant. We often reserve implant-supported dentures for patients with healthy jawbones, gums and an otherwise healthy mouth.

How to care for your dentures

Regardless of the type of dentures, you decide to go with, it is your responsibility to keep them in great condition. Thus, you should remove your dentures to clean them on a daily basis. You then need to place the dentures in a special solution overnight. We are happy to go through this process in greater detail during a meeting. You also still need to brush your mouth twice daily with a quality toothpaste.

How can you really use this information?

With so many types of dentures available nowadays, there is no need for you to feel embarrassed about missing teeth. Restoring your smile with dentures is a simple and straightforward process. Contact a dentist to find out more about these devices if you think you are a good candidate for one.

Request an appointment in our Santa Clara dental office here: http://www.stardentalsmile.com. Call us at (408) 247-3740 for more information from Star Dental.