What are my options for dentures?

What types of dentures are there?

If you are beginning to wonder if you need dentures, you may not realize the options that are available to you. Besides the average-appearing set of dentures you might see floating in a glass of water on your grandma’s bathroom counter, there are a few other options for dentures. Certain types of dentures can improve retention, increase comfort, and even to allow you to taste food better.

Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures are probably the most common, and also the most cost-effective style of denture. They are held in your mouth by the suction of the base material. It’s not uncommon for people with traditional dentures to struggle with their dentures shifting or clicking. This can worsen as you continue wearing your dentures – not because of the dentures, but because your mouth is changing. When your mouth no longer has teeth to help maintain bone structure, it will lose bone density, and the shape of your gums and your bone ridge will change. Often, people facing this issue will go back to their dentist and get their dentures relined or rebased entirely. This means that a new layer of acrylic base will be added, or the base is completely replaced. A reline or rebase is often a solution to uncomfortable dentures. Between relining, and the cost-effectiveness, traditional dentures could be a sensible choice if you find yourself needing dentures. After you have your teeth extracted, you may need to wait for your extraction sites to heal before having dentures made. If you’re not looking forward to the idea of going so long without teeth, immediate dentures are an option. Immediate dentures are made before your teeth are extracted, and placed on the same day or the day after your extractions. The downside to immediate dentures is that it is harder to fabricate a comfortable fit. This is because the denturist cannot know exactly what your mouth will look like without teeth. However, immediate dentures can easily be relined after they are delivered. Immediate dentures are a good option for somebody who can’t go without teeth.

Implant-supported dentures

Snap-on Dentures

Denture Implants - North Texas Dental Surgery

A kind of dentures that offer better retention are implant-supported dentures. These dentures are typically very similar to traditional dentures; they look very similar and are made of the same materials. The defining difference between traditional and implant-supported dentures is in their relationship to your bone ridge. Implant-supported dentures have small caps in the underside, which ‘snap-on’ to implants placed in your bone ridge. For this reason these dentures are well-known as “snap-on” dentures, they snap into place the same way a puzzle piece clicks into place. The process of making implant-supported dentures is very precise. After implants are placed and have properly healed, impressions of the mouth are taken. The denture is made so that the caps in the denture line up perfectly with the abutments on the implant. This way, the denture fits and retains comfortably.

Fixed Dentures

Permanent dentures, sometimes called fixed dentures or “All-on-X”, are the most natural-appearing denture option available. However, they are also the most expensive. These dentures are commonly described to be the closest available substitute for real teeth, and the procedure to extract teeth and place implants is often completed in a single, although more extensive surgery. Permanent dentures are not removed nightly, and instead are connected to implants in your bone. Permanent dentures are only removed by the dentist during exams to be cleaned, and outside of exams you would brush just like you would brush your natural teeth. Because these dentures are fixed in place, this also means that there is no plate of base material that goes over the roof of your mouth – the roof of your mouth is where many of your taste buds are. This means that, while with traditional or implant-supported dentures, you might not be able to taste your food as well, permanent dentures would still allow you to fully taste your food.

Partial Dentures

In addition to traditional, implant-supported, and permanent dentures, partial dentures are available if some of your teeth are still healthy and functional. Smaller dentures can be fabricated which are held in place by wires, or abutments attached to neighboring, healthy teeth. It’s important that you make sure to maintain good oral hygiene. Poor hygiene with a partial denture may lead to losing more teeth down the road. This very likely means that you would need to have your partial denture remade.

Interim dentures

A final concern that some people have is for the healing process. For dentures to be crafted to your mouth, impressions have to be made. To take ideal impressions, the impressions need to be taken after teeth are extracted. You might be concerned about being completely without teeth for the healing process and waiting for your dentures to be made. Healing dentures are designed for this purpose – they can be worn while your gums and bone ridge are healing, and can be brought home the day your teeth are extracted at the beginning of your denture process. However, healing dentures cannot be contoured to your mouth as well as a final denture. They might not fit as well or look as natural. But, if you are concerned about going without teeth during your healing process, they could be something to consider. In any case, dentures are designed with your needs in mind. This means when the gums are being molded, teeth are set, and any wires or attachments are placed, they are meant to fit your mouth. With the technology and training available today, dentures can be a sound choice for somebody struggling with their oral health. At Sapphire Denture Clinic, Dr. Najar and Jin You work hard to make sure each patient has a personalized and comfortable process for their dentures. From the first consult to the last adjustment, they are dedicated to quality work, long-lasting prosthetics, and excellent patient care.