Understanding Tooth Loss and Dentures
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), about 3.75% of adults aged 20 to 64 in the U.S. are completely edentulous, meaning they have lost all their teeth. For the rest of this age group, the average number of remaining teeth is around 24.92 out of 32 permanent teeth.
One way to replace missing teeth and restore both appearance and function is with dentures. Depending on your needs, dentures can replace just a few missing teeth or all the teeth in the upper or lower jaws. Not only do dentures recreate the look of a full smile, but they also support the natural contours of your face, helping to prevent the “sunken” appearance that can occur when multiple teeth are lost.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable appliances that fit snugly over the gums covering the jawbones. They can be taken out for cleaning, oral hygiene maintenance, and sleeping. Dentures are an effective way to restore teeth lost due to decay, gum disease, trauma, congenital anomalies, or other medical conditions.
Types of Dentures
There are two main types of dentures: full dentures and partial dentures. Both are custom-made based on detailed impressions and aesthetic considerations provided by your dentist.
Full Dentures
Full dentures, or “complete dentures,” replace all the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.
- Conventional Full Dentures: These are made after all the remaining teeth have been removed and the gums and bone have fully healed, which takes several weeks. This allows for a more precise and comfortable fit.
- Immediate Dentures: These are placed right after the remaining teeth are removed, so you don’t have to be without teeth while your gums heal. However, as healing progresses, adjustments or a new denture may be needed for a better fit.
- Overdentures: These dentures gain extra stability from attachments to remaining teeth or dental implants, providing a more secure fit.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are designed to fill in gaps where several teeth are missing, while some natural teeth remain. They are custom-made for a precise fit and a natural look, and they are usually secured with clasps or precision attachments to the surrounding teeth. Depending on the case, partial dentures can be made from a mix of metal and acrylic, all-acrylic, or flexible thermoplastic materials like Valplast™, Flexite®, or Duroflex®.
