The Different Types of Dentures

Did you know? Human being have been using fake teeth have for more than 2700 years – all the way back to 700 BC! Ancient Inventions, by Peter Lames and Nick Thorpe, pg. 33 Back then, tooth replacement might require the use of teeth from another person, or even from an animal, with the fake teeth banded to remaining teeth with gold, and held in place using small pins. Who knew?

Thankfully, 21st Century dentistry no longer requires the use of animal teeth to keep you smiling and eating comfortably!

There are a wide variety of tooth replacement devices available today, from oral bridges to partial dentures, to full dentures. These appliances are now made from either plastic or porcelain, and can be adjusted to fit so well that virtually no one will know that you’ve had your teeth replaced. The exact type of dental appliance you choose will depend largely on the amount of tooth loss you experience, as well as the amount of usable tissue remaining in your mouth once your teeth are gone.

The 3 types of tooth replacement prosthetics

Fixed bridge

Also known as a fixed partial denture, employs the placement of crowns on the teeth adjacent to the space left by the tooth you’ve lost, to which the fake tooth is cemented into place. A fixed bridge can be used to replace one or more teeth.

Partial dentures

Also known simply as "a partial" is effective when some original teeth remain in the mouth following the loos of multiple teeth. Your remaining teeth will increase the stability of the partial, which may be permanent, a "fixed partial" or removable, a "precision partial". The use of a partial denture will prevent your remaining teeth from shifting, or creating additional gaps, as they would do if your missing teeth were not replaced.

Full dentures

Sometimes referred to as "complete dentures" are often the first choice for replacement when all teeth are lost, for whatever reason. There are two types of full dentures: immediate and conventional. When you lose all of your teeth a healing process follows, usually from 2-3 months, during which your gums and jaws will shrink. The use of immediate dentures can be thought of as a temporary tooth replacement therapy as your mouth is healing. You will then be fitted for your conventional, or permanent dentures, which you will be able to enjoy for far longer.

Consultation with your dental professional, along with a thorough examination, will help you to determine the best possible choice of tooth replacement therapy for your individual needs.

The doctors and staff at The Colorado Center for Implant and Prosthetic Dentistry are available to help you determine effective solutions to all of your dental problems. If you would like more information from your Littleton area Prosthodontist, please call to make an appointment today.