Types Of Dentures

Dentures are common among many people of various ages. Most commonly used to replace
missing or failing teeth, dentures can be used to correct smiles, improve eating habits and aid in
other medical concerns. There are 8 different types of dentures, each suitable for different
situations. Your dentist will recommend which type is the best fit for you.

1. Full Dentures – In the event, a patient is missing a full arch of their natural teeth on the
   upper and lower jaw, a full set of dentures will be suggested. A mold is created of your
   current jaw structure to form an acrylic or porcelain denture that is held in place by either
   an acrylic or metal base. The new dentures then sit along the patients’ gum line and may
   suction into place or a denture adhesive may be used. This type of denture may be
   removed and used as desired
2. Partial Dentures- Custom made just as a full set of dentures would be, a partial set of
   dentures is useful for patients who only need to replace either the top set or bottom set of
   teeth.
3. Temporary Dentures- When a patient is missing only a few teeth possibly in a row, a
   temporary denture may be a better fit. Temporary dentures consist of only a few artificial
   teeth that “click” around your existing teeth to create a fuller smile. Often times
   temporary dentures are used immediately after a tooth extraction while a patient is
   waiting for a more permanent structure to be made.
4. Fixed Bridge- A fixed bridge will be used to replace only one or two missing teeth that
   are in different parts of the mouth. An artificial tooth will be cemented onto the natural
   teeth surrounding it, fixed atop a crown.
5. Cantilever Bridge- This type of permanent denture is useful when the tooth being
   replaced is a missing molar and there is no natural tooth on one side to affix the artificial
   tooth to. In this case, one or more teeth on the opposite side are used to support tensions
   on the new tooth.
6. Implants- A more costly avenue is dental implants. These artificial teeth are made and set
   to mimic the tooth and its root. A “root” screw is surgically drilled into the patients’
   jawbone and the artificial tooth is then screwed into the base.
7. Implant-Supported Fixed Dentures- This method uses a crown that is attached to a
   surgically inserted implant.
8. Snap-on Dentures- A series of removable crowns are considered snap-on dentures. This
   type of denture snaps on and off like partial dentures and give the visual of implants yet
   are removable and sturdy enough to eat with.