Types Of Dentures Available

Dentures can help you regain a full smile and restore lost tooth functioning so you can eat your favorite foods with ease. Several types of dentures are available. The type you need will depend on whether you need to replace a few teeth or a full row. Dr. Joshua Montgomery, the skilled dentist at our office in Springfield, MO, can discuss the different denture options and recommend one that is best for meeting your needs.

Benefits of Dentures

There are numerous benefits associated with having dentures. One of the most significant benefits is that dentures make it possible to restore your smile. No matter how many teeth you have missing, dentures can give you back a full smile. Dentures also restore normal tooth functioning. If you have been unable to eat certain foods due to tooth loss, dentures can make a difference. You can bite into and chew a variety of foods with dentures.

Another benefit of dentures is that they can undo some of the unwanted side effects that often occur with tooth loss. For example, missing teeth means there is less support for facial muscles, which can lead to sagging and drooping. Dentures help restore the natural shape of the face by providing much needed support. Speech can also be affected by tooth loss. Using dentures to fill in the gaps where there are no teeth improves speech by preventing the tongue from slipping into the gaps.

Full Dentures

Also called complete dentures, full dentures are used to replace an entire row or arch of missing teeth. There are three types of full dentures and the dentist at our office in Springfield can recommend the right type for you.

Immediate Full Dentures: Worn temporarily while waiting for the gums to heal from tooth extraction so that you can enjoy a full smile immediately.

Conventional Full Dentures: Replaces immediate dentures and is meant to be worn long-term. This type of denture is custom made for an ideal fit.

Implant-Supported Overdentures: Also replaces immediate dentures and is meant to be worn long-term. Differs from conventional full dentures as this type is held in place by dental implants.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth still remain and you just need to fill in the gaps around them where teeth are missing. Two types of partial dentures are available.

Transitional Partial Dentures: Worn temporarily while waiting for the gums to heal from extraction so you can enjoy a full smile right away.

Removable Partial Dentures: Replaces transitional dentures and is worn long-term. This type of denture is typically held in place by clasps that attach to the natural teeth.

Several types of dentures are available to meet your particular needs. To learn more about dentures and what type might be right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Montgomery, our skilled dentist, by calling our office in Springfield, MO, at (417) 883-2111.