DENTURES PARTIAL DENTURES | PROSTHODONTICS

A denture is a removable dental appliance designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissue.  It is important to note that they are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and can even enhance your smile a little.

There are two types of dentures – complete dentures and partial dentures.  When all the teeth are missing, complete dentures are used, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.  In addition to filling in the spaces left by missing teeth, a partial denture also prevents the other teeth from shifting as a result of the absence of teeth.

Depending on the type of complete denture, it may either be a conventional denture or an immediate denture. Conventional dentures are made once the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, which usually takes about four to six weeks.  The patient will be without teeth during this period.  Following the removal of teeth, immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed, preventing the patient from being without teeth during the healing process.  It will be necessary to make adjustments once the tissues have shrunk and healed.

Despite the fact that dentures are very durable appliances, they may need to be remade, repaired, or repositioned over time due to normal wear and tear.