Which Type of Dentures is Right for You?

Dealing with significant tooth loss? Let dentures restore your smile quickly.

While there are many ways for our Springfield, MO, restorative dentist, Dr. A. Joshua Montgomery, to replace missing teeth, there are still many people who turn to dentures because they offer a quick, inexpensive, and non-surgical tooth replacement option. If you are interested in acquiring a pair of dentures, read on to learn which type is right for you!

Complete dentures

If you are dealing with complete tooth loss then these are the dentures for you. This removable prosthetic sits on top of the gums and are closely fitted to the gums where they naturally suction into place. Of course, many people also choose to use denture adhesives to provide a better hold and to prevent them from shifting around too much when chewing or speaking.

Complete dentures are either conventional or immediate. Immediate dentures are placed right after an extraction while conventional dentures are custom-made to provide a better fit but won’t be placed until eight-to-twelve weeks after your extraction.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures (sometimes referred to as a dental bridge) are comprised of a plastic gum-like base with several false teeth that are held in place by attachments or clasps. In some cases, dental crowns are placed over neighboring healthy teeth to support and hold the partial dentures in place. Partial dentures are used when the patient still has some natural teeth remaining.

Immediate dentures

As we mentioned above, immediate dentures are given to you right away after a tooth extraction so that you won’t have to be without teeth while your gums heal. Immediate dentures are not meant to be a long-term solution. They aren’t custom-made to fit your mouth so they won’t fit as ideally as conventional dentures, however, they will give you the ability to speak and chew during the weeks that your gums need to heal from a tooth extraction.

Implant-supported dentures

Healthy patients who are missing some or all of their teeth may also turn to dental implants to support replacement teeth. Dental implants function like tooth roots and are placed into the jawbone to hold false teeth in place. Even if you have full dentures already, you can still get dental implants to hold your new teeth in place. Since full dentures can move around, dental implants are a practical solution to prevent this from happening.

Interested? Give us a call!

Do you have questions about dentures? Want to discuss whether you should get removable dentures or implant-supported dentures? Then let’s talk! Call our Springfield, MO, dental office today at (417) 883-2111 to schedule a consultation with us.