A complete denture is a removable prosthesis that replaces all of the natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips. A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth when some natural teeth are present.
Most dentures are generally made of acrylic, a type of plastic, or acrylic with metal. Generally there are three different types of dentures.
An immediate denture, (or immediate partial denture) is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and will allow the tissues to heal under the denture. Often, a soft liner or tissue conditioner is added for comfort. Immediate dentures are then replaced with either a conventional denture or an overdenture. An immediate denture ensures that the patient will never have to be without teeth.
A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have fully healed. A complete denture has acrylic in a shade that matches each individual’s gum tissues, which surround the teeth and which covers the palate (roof of the mouth). A partial denture usually has a thin metal framework that covers a portion of the palate.
Similarly, an overdenture is also made after the teeth have been extracted and the tissues have adequately healed. The overdenture, however, has special hidden attachments that allow it to “snap on” to roots of retained teeth or implants. If there are enough implants on the upper, we can sometimes remove the portion of the overdenture that would normally cover the palate providing an open palate design. This greatly enhances the patient’s ability to enjoy eating and improves the overall comfort of the denture. As well, overdentures fit more tightly than dentures.
As the supporting bony foundation changes dentures, will need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment and appearance normal. As the supporting bony foundation changes, the alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink in the areas of missing teeth. Regular dental examinations are still very important for the denture wearer, so that the oral tissues can be examined and screened for oral cancer. In addition, the denture needs to be checked for proper fit.