Dentures are a simple, effective method of replacing missing teeth — either an entire arch (upper or lower) or just a few teeth. Research shows roughly 41 million Americans wear at least one denture. That includes about 31 million men and women missing all their teeth or all their upper or lower teeth.
At Silicon Valley Dental Associates, our team provides personalized, comprehensive care for patients with missing teeth, including an array of dentures options to help each patient adjust as quickly as possible. If you need dentures, here’s what you should know about the types of dentures and how they differ.
The day of “one-type-fits-all” dentures is long gone. Today, there are lots of options for getting the correct denture for your lifestyle and your needs. Our team offers several denture options, including these five choices.
Full dentures are an excellent solution for anyone who’s missing all their upper teeth or lower teeth (or both). These dentures feature a complete arch composed of a pink-colored, durable material designed to rest comfortably and securely on the jaw. Not only can a full denture help you chew and speak normally, but it can also help you retain your facial shape, preventing a sunken-in look that occurs when multiple teeth are missing.
Partial dentures are constructed in the same manner as a full denture, but instead of replacing all the teeth on one arch, they’re used to replace one or several teeth. Like full dentures, partial dentures can be easily slipped out for cleaning and care. Denture adhesives help provide a firmer grip for greater comfort and security.
While traditional dentures are made of acrylic, flex dentures are made of flexible nylon. These dentures are lighter weight, and they don’t transfer as much force to your gums, so there’s less chance for your gums to become sore. The flexible design also keeps these dentures from sliding or slipping out of position, and many patients find them more comfortable as a result.
While traditional dentures take several weeks to be made and fitted, immediate dentures are made the same day your teeth are extracted, so you won’t have to be without teeth. While convenient, they’re not a good option for everyone, and they do require several fitting sessions to adjust them as your gum swelling subsides.
Implant-supported dentures use dental implants attached to your jaw bone to secure the dentures. As a result, many people find these dentures result in greater comfort and greater confidence than traditional dentures, which can sometimes slip out of position. If you already have traditional dentures, our team may be able to “retrofit” them and attach them to implants so that you can enjoy these benefits, too.
Many people think that because dentures aren’t “real,” they don’t need regular care like natural teeth do. But that’s not the case. Dentures directly impact your oral health, which means they still need regular care and “inspections” by our team.
What’s more, your gum shape can change over time — sometimes dramatically. Traditional dentures often need to be adjusted so they continue to fit comfortably and securely. Regular adjustments prevent gum soreness caused by ill-fitting dentures, and they also prevent embarrassing slippage.
Whether you already wear dentures or dentures are in your future, our team can help you select the best option for your oral health, comfort, and lifestyle. To learn more about all the denture options our team offers, call the office or book an appointment online today.
