DENTURES

Removable Partial Denture

A removable partial denture or bridge usually is made of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base, which rests on a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A fixed bridge will replace one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. The partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position. They are removable and have internal attachments rather than clasps that attach to adjacent crowns for a look that is more natural-looking and comfortable.

Complete Denture

Complete dentures contain a flesh-colored acrylic base that fits over your gums. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (roof of your mouth), and the lower denture is horseshoe shaped to accommodate the tongue. Complete dentures can either be "custom" or "immediate."Custom dentures are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal. This type of denture is ready for use about 3 to 6 months after tooth removal. Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed, so that the wearer does not have to be without teeth for the healing period as in conventional dentures. The disadvantage to this is that they must be relined several months after being inserted. Bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. For this reason immediate dentures should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures are made.