We get it. No one wants to lose even one tooth and replace it with something that looks unnatural. Worse still is the outdated image of a full mouth of dentures flying across the room every time your sneeze. These old horror stories persist, but the variety and types of dentures available these days means you have many modern options when it comes to replacing your natural teeth. Here’s your guide to these dentures and tips on choosing your best option.
What are the different types of dentures?
There are two main types of dentures available today.
- Partial dentures: Partial dentures replace anywhere from one tooth to a group of two or more teeth
- Full dentures: Exactly what they sound like, full dentures replace an entire upper, lower, or mouth of teeth
Within each category there are a variety of choices to consider, including different types of materials and different ways the dentures are fixed in the mouth. We’ll break it down here, starting with partial dentures.
Partial denture choices
Partial dentures may be less work, but they need to match your existing natural teeth as closely as possible.
You’ll want to look for the best dentures available, especially when replacing front teeth with partial dentures.
Materials
Partial dentures can be made from cast metal and acrylic, nylon, and, in some cases, composite resin (although this is usually temporary). The implant portion of the dentures is usually made from titanium, a metal that is well-tolerated in the vast majority of patients.
Replacement teeth can be made from acrylic resin, porcelain, zirconia, and even gold. The most durable and natural-looking of these materials is also, of course, the most expensive. Porcelain and zirconia teeth offer beautifully natural restorations that last a long time.
Partial denture attachments
There are a variety of ways to affix partial dentures in the mouth. Patients who do not have a healthy jawbone or are only replacing a few teeth, may opt for a removable denture constructed on a metal frame. This snaps in and out easily. These are sometimes referred to as dental bridges and can be attached on one or both sides.
A dental bridge is similar to a flipper tooth in that both are not permanently affixed. A flipper tooth, though, only replaces one tooth. It’s often used as a temporary fix while the gums heal from extraction or surgery.
If there are no healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth and the jawbone is healthy enough to receive an implant, implant supported dentures may be the way to go.
Bar-retained implants are held in place by a thin metal bar that follows the inside of the teeth and connects to two to five implants (depending on how many teeth you are replacing). Ball-retained implants feature a ball-and-socket attachment. The socket part is implanted in the jaw, and the ball is on the end of the replacement tooth, snapping it into place.
Which is right for you?
Choosing a material is often based on the price and what your insurance might cover. These days, denture materials are much more natural-looking and affordable than they used to be, so it’s possible to get a more affordable and sparkly white smile.
The bigger question might be which attachment to choose. Patients without healthy jawbone may not be able to receive implant-supported partial dentures. Even with healthy jawbone, some people do not want to undergo the surgery and recovery time of receiving implants and will opt for removable partial dentures instead. This is a question best discussed in detail with your dentist.
Full dentures
Full dentures may be necessary when periodontal disease or trauma to the mouth require a full mouth reconstruction.
Materials
The materials for full dentures are the same as those for partial dentures.
However, it can be easier to select a replacement tooth material as there is no need to match any existing teeth. It’s like building a healthy smile from scratch!
Full denture attachments
As with partial dentures, full dentures can be removable or fixed in place. Removable dentures consist of a plastic frame to which replacement teeth are attached. In the upper jaw, this plastic frame covers the entire upper palate, but in the lower jaw it is horseshoe-shaped to accommodate the tongue. This frame is held in place with denture glues or adhesives.
Implant-supported full dentures work like partial dental implants, using a number of implants to snap teeth in place. Ball-retained dental implants can be used here, as can a type of implant called all-on-4. All-on-4 dental implants replace an entire set of teeth with just four strategically placed implants.
Which is right for you?
Again, this is best discussed with your dentist and will depend on your oral health.
Full dentures with implants can involve multiple surgeries, which some patients may want to avoid. The major benefit of dental implants (for either partial or full dentures) is that they feel firm and stable and can help build and maintain natural bone. The chewing action on dental implants stimulates bone growth, and many patients report that dental implants, even for a full set of dentures, feel exactly like their natural teeth.
For patients who do not have healthy bone to work with, their only option might be removable dentures. There are great adhesives to keep them firmly in place, but regular visits to the dentist to check fit (or to get them relined) are a must for continued comfort and function.
Whether they are removable or attached, the material for replacement teeth is largely a matter of preference (and budget).
How do I choose dentures?
Choosing what type of dentures to get can be intimidating, but working with your dentist can help. They will explain the different types of denture materials, identify potential issues with dentures, and find a good match between what looks and works best while still fitting within your budget.
If you are looking into different types of dentures and still have questions, give AZ Dentist a call. With convenient weekend hours and locations across Phoenix, we can help restore your beautiful, healthy smile!