Types of Dentures: Partial and Full Arch Restorations
If you’re missing most or all of your teeth, dentures are an excellent option to consider. Thanks to a properly fitting pair of dentures, you’ll be able to bite, chew, and smile as if you had your normal teeth in place.
The team at our Scottsdale, AZ cosmetic and restorative dentistry center would like to consider the different kinds of dentures that patients can choose from. Whatever dengue type that’s right for you, rest assured that the appliance is custom crafted for optimal fit and comfort.
Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures refer to removable dental appliances that are held in place by bracing onto the jawbone and gum tissue of the dental arch. These dentures are custom-molded and fit to the dental arch of the patient.
These kinds of dentures are the ones best known to most people, and have been used for centuries as a means of addressing tooth loss.
Conventional Full Dentures
Full dentures are appliances that are used to replace all of the teeth along the dental arch. In these cases, the denture fits along the entire dental arch, and the stability of the denture can be supplement with a dental adhesive. When people are missing both their top and bottom teeth, dentists can craft full dentures for the entire mouth.
Conventional Partial Dentures
Some patients may be missing many teeth but not all of their teeth. When a dental bridge is a poor option to replace the missing teeth, a partial denture will be used instead. This is a denture designed to replace the teeth in just part of the dental arch. Like full dentures, dental adhesive creams can be used to help increase the stability of the appliance.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures refer to dentures that are anchored in place using dental implants. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically embedded into the jawbone and gum tissue. The living tissues of the mouth grow around these implants, a process that is known as osseointegration. When osseointegration has occurred, the dental implants effectively function just like natural tooth roots would.
A full or partial denture can be supported by dental implants. These appliances snap into place on the implant posts. This leads to a level of denture stability that is unmatched by even the strongest of dental adhesives. The implants also help prevent bone loss and gum recession, two issues common among people who have lost their teeth.
Qualifying for Dental Implants
In order to get implant-supported dentures, patients must be candidates for dental implants. Candidacy for dental implants includes:
- Sufficient bone density
- Proper gum tissue density
- Good general health for oral surgery
- Knowledge of the risks and benefits
- Understanding of the cost of the procedure
- Comfort with the months-long recovery time
- Realistic expectations about treatment
If you lack bone or gum tissue density, there are grafting surgeries that can build the bone or soft tissue of the mouth. These surgeries will add to the cost of treatment, and will also increase the overall treatment time by several months.
Which Kind of Denture Is Right for Me?
The best way to find out which type of denture is best for you is to come by the practice for a consultation. We will be more than happy to discuss all denture options with you in greater detail and provide an honest assessment of an ideal treatment option given your goals and needs.
Learn More About Dentures
For more information about dentures and how they can help you bite, chew, and smile with confidence again, be sure to contact the team at Davis Dentistry. We’re here to go over your options and help you make the right dental health decision for your needs.