Complete and Partials Dentures
Tooth restorations are offered for different reasons, including, severe tooth decay, or missing teeth. There are different reasons why one would lose one or more teeth, including accidents, sports injuries, medication, and aging, to mention a few. Missing teeth pose a cosmetic problem as well as a functional problem. When you have more than one tooth missing, a lot of the functions of the mouth are deterred, including speaking and chewing. It is why you must reach out to a dentist near you for tooth restoration treatment as soon as possible.
What Are Dentures?
They are a set of artificial teeth that are made to replace missing teeth in patients. They are used in cases where the natural tooth of a patient cannot be saved. Most people who require dentures to treat missing teeth have more than one tooth missing. For patients with a single tooth or two missing, dental bridges are the better alternative.
Dentures feature two different parts, that is, the artificial teeth, and the gum-like area. They are made differently to meet different purposes. A dentist in Merritt Island can use dentures to treat both the front or back teeth.
What Are the Different Types Of Dentures?
Other than the differences in the materials used to make dentures, dentures differ in the amount of coverage they offer. Patients that have multiple missing teeth require a different type of denture that those that have all teeth missing. That said, the two types are:
- Complete dentures – they are used for total mouth restorations. Patients who get complete dentures do not have any set of teeth remaining. Under complete dentures, there are two different kinds.
- Immediate dentures – these types of dentures are placed on a patient’s mouth on the very day they visit a dental facility. The immediate dentures are made beforehand and are always available for patients. They are used before the gum tissue is properly healed so that the patient does not have to be without teeth at any given point.
- Conventional dentures – they differ from immediate dentures in how they are created. The dentures are developed in a laboratory, following dental impressions that a dentist takes for your teeth. They offer a better fit than immediate dentures because they are customized for the unique bone structure of a patient. Besides, by the time your conventional dentures are ready, your gum tissue will have healed completely. This will ensure that it does not shrink afterward, to render your dentures ill-fitting.
- Partial dentures – they are used on patients who have a few missing teeth but still retain some natural teeth. From the name, partial dentures are used to replace a part of the mouth that has missing teeth. Partial dentures can be removable, which is why they are also termed as flexible partial dentures. Replacement teeth are attached to a gum-shaped plastic base that attaches to your gums when worn. To some extent, dental bridges can also be considered partial dentures, only that they are used in the replacement for fewer missing teeth. When you have several natural teeth remaining, you may wonder why partial dentures are necessary. The fact is, they do not only advance your cosmetic appearance. Partial dentures also play a similar role with spacers. The only difference is that they are not saving up space for another tooth to grow. Instead, they prevent the other natural teeth from shifting and becoming crooked.
Are All Dentures Removable?
For the most part, dentures are flexible. You can remove them when you want, and have them back on later. This is usually a couple of weeks after having your dentures so that your gum is properly healed and the fit is perfect. However, in some cases, dentures can be installed permanently. This is possible through implant-supported dentures. A dental implant is inserted in the jawbone of the patient. The implant is then used as a support for the dentures. This way, the dentures stay in place at all times. Dental implants are becoming a popular option for recipients of dentures. However, no everyone qualifies for them. Talk to your dentist about your options before you make a rushed decision.