
Losing all or most of your teeth to dental decay, advanced gum disease, or trauma can take a major toll on your life. But while advanced tooth loss may be painful and stressful, replacing your teeth doesn’t have to be either — Harry Squire, DDS, and the team at Chesapeake Family and Implant Dentistry in Chesapeake, Virginia, can help you restore your smile — and your life — with dentures. For a consultation, call or book online today.
request an appointmentWhat are dentures?
Dentures are a removable dental restoration designed to replace several missing teeth or a full set of top or bottom teeth.
Made to look and function just like natural teeth, dentures are often the best restorative solution for people who have lost all or most of their teeth to decay, gum disease, or injury.
All dentures consist of an acrylic gum-colored base fitted with natural looking artificial teeth. The base is made to match the size and contour of your jaw and fit snugly against your gums.
Are there different types of dentures?
As a fully customizable restoration that’s precision-made to fit your mouth, dentures can solve a wide range of problems related to missing teeth. The three main types of dentures are:
Complete dentures
As its name implies, a complete denture replaces an entire arch of top or bottom teeth (or both). Also known as conventional or full dentures, this prosthetic is made to stay firmly in place with suction, but can also be set in place with denture adhesive for a more secure fit.
Like all removable dentures, complete dentures should be removed at night so your gums and jawbone have a chance to relax.
Partial dentures
This removable denture replaces a group of missing teeth across your upper arch, lower arch, or both. A partial denture’s acrylic base is only fitted with the teeth you need to replace, whether it’s several consecutive teeth or a scattering of teeth across the arch.
Partial dentures attach to your natural teeth to help them stay firmly in place. Like complete dentures, they should be removed at night.
Overdentures
Overdentures are just like complete dentures in that they replace an entire set of top or bottom teeth. But instead of using suction to stay in place, this type of denture fits securely over dental implants.
Overdentures are more stable than conventional dentures because there’s no chance of shifting or slipping out of place. Implant-retained dentures are removable, while implant-supported dentures are permanently secured.
Are dentures right for me?
If you have advanced tooth loss and implants aren’t an option for you, well-fitting dentures can make a world of difference every time you eat, speak, and smile.
Luckily, ongoing advances in restorative dentistry mean that today’s dentures are more comfortable, durable, and natural looking than ever before.
To learn more about dentures, call Chesapeake Family and Implant Dentistry or schedule an appointment online today.