Complete & Partial Dentures
Complete & Partial Dentures – Everything You Need to Know!
Dentures seem easy, right? They’re just fake teeth. Well, there’s a little more that goes into them than that. For starters, there are complete and partial dentures, and even from there, they branch off into a few different types.
Here’s everything you need to know about complete and partial dentures:
Complete Dentures
As the name suggests, complete dentures can replace all the teeth in either the top or bottom part of your mouth or even both. The teeth are commonly made from acrylic resin, and the gums’ suction and natural outlines allow them to find a solid position.
Partial Dentures
Again, as the name suggests, partial dentures are used when replacing only one or a few teeth in the top or bottom of your mouth, but not all of them. Partial dentures will improve your chewing abilities and prevent your remaining teeth from shifting.
Just like complete dentures, the teeth are commonly made from acrylic resin, with the difference being these come with metal clasps that connect to your natural teeth for a secure fit.
But Wait…. There’s More!
Even more types of dentures exist within complete and partial dentures that could be options for you. Here are a few:
Implant-retained: These will attach to dental implants rather than relying on your jawbone ridge and gums. They are removable since they click onto the implants rooted in your jaw, making them more stable. You also won’t need denture glue with this option.
Implant-supported: These dentures are NOT removable unless done by a dentist. This will be recommended if you’re not interested in removable oral appliances. The only downside is you’ll need to perform a more thorough cleaning regularly, including flossing under the dentures.
Immediate Dentures: If you’re having teeth extracted and replaced by dentures, this could be an option which gives you dentures you can wear immediately after the extractions. Occasionally, they’re a temporary fix until your gums have healed or your permanent dentures are ready.
It Only Takes 3 Steps
This is common for most procedures, resulting in a few dentist appointments.
On your first visit:
- You’ll receive a consultation, during which your dentist will examine your mouth, jaw, gums, and remaining teeth and take an X-ray. They’ll need to know the thickness of your jawbone before proceeding.
- From here, they’ll discuss your options and which style of dentures works best for you. This will all depend on how many teeth are missing, how long they’ve been missing, whether you want removable or non-removable dentures and your own preference.
- Your dentist will then take impressions of both your upper and lower jaw to send to a technician to create your dentures.
Creating your dentures:
- The technician will use your impressions to create a dental model, which will then be used to shape your dentures.
- Using the model and wax registration blocks, they’ll learn where to place the new fake teeth.
- The technician will then build up the base of your dentures with various materials before filling them in with fake teeth and ensuring both the upper and lower teeth fit properly.
- After the dentures are created, they polish the teeth, making them more appealing and natural-looking before sending them back to your dentist.
Time for your second visit to the dentist:
This is where your dentures will be fitted. Your dentist will insert your dentures, find a fit, ensure there’s no added pressure on your gums, and make any needed adjustments.
This will not likely be completed in one visit since the tissues in your gums and mouth often need to adjust to your dentures. A few visits to find the perfect fit may be needed.
It Can Take Time to Recover
Like the uniqueness of your dentures, the recovery time depends solely on you. Each case is different, and it could take just a few days, weeks, or even months to adjust to your dentures fully.
This is why several dentist appointments can be required to find the right fit that works and is comfortable for you.
It’s important to remember not to remove your dentures on the first day of getting them, as you need to allow your gums time to heal, and your dentures will act as a band-aid for the first 24 hours; this means you’ll need to wear them to bed on the first night.
Dentures Can Cost Up to $3,000
Like any dental procedure, the cost will always fluctuate depending on your situation. For complete dentures, the price can range anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the make.
Again, depending on your specific case, partial dentures could range from $700 to $3,000; however, this is all dependent on how many teeth you’re replacing.
Your Dentures Can Last 10 Years
This is the average expectancy and can last between seven and ten years. You’ll need to replace your dentures at some point in your life, as like most artificial teeth, dentures wear down over time and require maintenance.
We also recommend getting a denture reline every few years or if you notice changes in how they fit. Your dentist can add materials to your dentures for a more comfortable fit.
You Should Wear Your Dentures 8 Hours Per Day
This is the most common recommendation, as this allows your gums and jawbone time to adjust to the dentures, preventing sore spots from developing. Remove them at night for rest, cleaning, eating, drinking, and brushing.
6 Foods You Should Avoid
Here are six foods that won’t get along with your dentures:
- Anything hard, such as nuts, corn on the cob, or hard candy. You should also be cautious about un-popped popcorn kernels and avoid bad habits such as chewing on pens.
- Sticky foods including candy, toffee, caramel, marshmallows, excessive peanut butter, and dried fruit.
- Tough meats including overcooked steak, pork chops, dry ribs, beef jerky, and any other meat that requires excessive chewing.
- Food or drinks that can cause staining, such as coffee, red wine, tea, and anything with intense pigments.
- Raw fruits or vegetables such as apples, carrots, celery, and plums.
- Anything with seeds, such as grapes, seeded bread, and some berries, should be avoided, as they can get stuck between the dentures and cause issues later.
Get the Most Out of Your Dentures
Keeping your dentures in top condition should be a priority; with proper maintenance, you’ll keep them in good shape for years. Here are a few things you can do to ensure you’re taking adequate care of them:
- Remember to remove your dentures for eight hours per day
- Regularly clean them with a denture brush and paste
- Have denture solution on hand for soaking every night
- Brush your gums, tongue, inner cheeks, and any remaining teeth twice daily
You Don’t HAVE to Sleep Without Your Dentures
Even though we strongly recommend removing your dentures every night before you go to bed, you don’t actually have to.
You can sleep with them; however, you must remove them for at least eight hours a day to give your gums a break, reduce bacteria, and help keep up the strength of your jawbone.
Removing them while you sleep is the most convenient way to ensure you get that eight-hour break. It’s also quite uncomfortable to sleep with them.
Top 5 Benefits of Dentures
You might be getting dentures out of necessity, feeling like you don’t have a choice. But they also come with a list of benefits. Here’s our top five:
- You’ll be able to eat and talk much more accessibly
- You’ll have a more youthful look with a natural-looking smile
- You’ll improve your overall nutrition with the ability to chew and eat better foods
- They increase your oral health, as missing teeth can lead to several issues and even pain
- While it may seem time-consuming, maintaining your dentures is quite simple and takes minimal effort
Things to Think About
Before getting your dentures, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- If your dentures are removable, there’s always the chance they will shift and move without a proper fit
- After tooth loss, there’s the chance your jawbone will gradually shrink, causing facial collapse and sunken-in cheeks
- If not maintained adequately, your dentures can break down
- When not following the proper cleaning techniques, you could end up with issues in your gums and mouth
When dentures become an option for you, whether complete or partial, ensure you have all the information you need. The team at ThityTwo Dental are experts in all types of denture procedures and can help you discover the best option.
Book Your Appointment Today!
Dr. Jaimee Buchkowsky, DDS
This content was written by Dr. Jaimee Buchkowsky, who brings over 15 years of experience to her practice. Dr. Buchkowsky holds both a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Alberta.