Do you have natural teeth remaining on your jaw and looking for denture options? Our dentist at Dental Care South would recommend partial dentures. Below is a look at the denture options to help you choose suitable tooth replacements.
Complete dentures
Complete dental prostheses are removable teeth used as replacements when all teeth are missing. However, the dentist can recommend implant-supported dentures. Therefore, you don’t have to remove the dentures when sleeping or when necessary.
Here are some of the complete dentures options:
Immediate dentures
During the immediate dentures procedure, the dentist or oral surgeon will remove all the teeth behind the canines and fabricate a dental prosthesis for you. After the fabrication is complete, the dentist will remove the remaining natural teeth and replace them with the fabricated denture.
The denture needs to be repositioning within three to six months due to gum tissue changes after removal of the frontal teeth. The frontal teeth are last to be removed to allow the patient to smile before the fabrication of a new denture.
Conventional dentures
When getting conventional dentures, the dentist will extract all teeth two months before the fabrication of a new denture. The period allows the gum tissue to heal. Therefore you will be toothless during this waiting period. However, the dentist will recommend temporary dentures as you wait to get the permanent ones.
Overdentures
Overdentures utilize existing dentures for stability and anchorage. Dental technologists design such dentures to snap into place.
Some of the pros of complete dentures:
- Have a natural look
- It is cheaper to replace all teeth
- Do not require any surgical operation
Below are some of the cons of getting complete dental prostheses:
- Can feel heavy before getting accustomed to the size and weight
- The denture may not fit on some patients since people have varying jaw anatomy
Partial dentures
Partial dental prostheses are removable teeth used when some natural teeth are still intact. Different options for partial dentures include:
Cast Metal Partial Denture
Cast-metal dentures are of a cobalt-chromium alloy metal framework and are smaller than plastic-made partial dentures. The small metal framework makes it easier to fit in place and enhances durability. Additionally, it offers more comfort and stability as it has clasps to hold it in position when mounted.
Below are some of the cons of partial dentures:
- The clasps make it difficult to install without additional help
- The metal framework can be visible depending on the position mounted making it less appealing
- The metal frame may cause an allergic reaction in some patients
- It is more expensive compared to acrylic dentures
Acrylic Dentures
Acrylic dentures are of a plastic-like material that is easy to mold supported by metal clasps. Such dentures are light and durable. However, dentists use them as a temporary replacement.
Flexible Partial Dentures
Such are thin bendable dentures made from thermoplastics. Flexible dentures offer a natural look, easy to fit, quick to manufacture, and can stick strongly to gums without using denture adhesive. They are stronger and more impact-resistant due to their flexibility.
With proper maintenance, the flexible material makes such dentures comfortable and durable. Also, they are suitable for patients who are allergic to materials found in acrylic and metal cast dentures.
Cons of Flexible Dentures
- Due to its flexible nature, it is prone to bacteria infestation if not properly cleaned
- It has to be redone from scratch if it wears since it lacks dental relines
- Relatively expensive, compared to acrylic and metal case dentures
Pros of Removable Partial Dentures
- Relatively cheaper compared to other options
- Easy to insert and remove since they don’t require any denture adhesive
- Reduces the risk of getting TMJD
- Enhance one’s confidence as they look natural and aesthetically pleasing
- Help maintain your jawline which maintains your facial structure
- Make it easier to eat and talk
- Don’t require a surgical procedure to install
Cons of Removable Partial Dentures
- Takes time to get accustomed to eating or talking while wearing partial dentures
- Might take time to perfect putting on and removing partial dentures
- Causes resorption over time as the dentures will put pressure on the ridges and lower jawbone
- If not properly fitted, partial dentures may cause pressure on the natural abutment teeth, causing them to become loose
- Can cause trauma on the natural abutment teeth due to pressure generated by partial teeth