What Are the Different Types of Dentures?

Dentures are an essential solution for individuals who have lost their natural teeth. Whether due to age, injury, or disease, missing teeth can affect your ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently. Fortunately, there are different types of dentures designed to meet various needs. 

Keep reading to explore these types and provide a clear guide to help you understand their benefits, drawbacks, and how to choose the best one for your specific dental health needs. 

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable dental appliances designed to replace missing teeth and restore the natural structure of your mouth. They are custom-made to fit comfortably and securely over your gums, providing a functional solution for those who have lost their teeth due to decay, injury, or age. Dentures consist of artificial teeth supported by a gum-colored base, which can be made from materials such as acrylic, porcelain, or nylon.

Why Do You Need Dentures?

Dentures can offer a reliable solution to restore both function and appearance if you’ve lost teeth due to decay, injury, or aging. They help improve your quality of life by allowing you to eat, speak, and smile confidently.

1. Restores Functionality: Dentures help restore your ability to chew, speak, and eat with ease, improving daily activities that are impacted by missing teeth.
2. Enhances Appearance: Missing teeth can affect the shape of your face, but dentures help restore a full, natural-looking smile, improving your overall appearance.
3. Prevents Shifting of Remaining Teeth: When teeth are missing, the remaining natural teeth can shift or drift out of place. Dentures help prevent this by filling in the gaps left by lost teeth.
4. Supports Facial Structure: By replacing missing teeth, dentures help support the muscles and tissues in your face, preventing sagging or drooping of your cheeks and lips.
5. Boosts Confidence: Wearing dentures restores not only function but also confidence. You can smile, talk, and eat comfortably without worrying about missing teeth, allowing you to interact confidently with others.

5 Types of Dentures

When considering dentures, knowing the various types available is essential to make an informed decision. The different types of dentures include full dentures, partial dentures, implant-supported dentures, flexible dentures, and immediate dentures. Each type offers unique benefits and is tailored to the patient’s specific needs, depending on factors like the number of missing teeth and the health of the gums and jawbone.

1. Full Dentures

Full dentures are a complete set of artificial teeth designed to replace all the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. They are ideal for patients who have lost all their teeth due to aging, injury, or decay. Full dentures are custom-made to fit snugly over the gums, restoring both appearance and functionality.

Benefits of Full Dentures

1. Restore full function for chewing, speaking, and smiling.
2. Provide a natural and complete smile.
3. Help maintain the structure of the face and jaw.
4. Easy to remove for cleaning and maintenance.
5. Affordable and accessible for individuals with significant tooth loss.

Disadvantages of Full Dentures

1. Can cause initial discomfort as you adjust to wearing them.
2. It may require periodic adjustments as the shape of your gums changes.
3. It can shift or slip out of place if it is not properly fitted.
4. It may affect your ability to taste food due to coverage over the roof of your mouth.
5. Regular cleaning is required to avoid buildup and bacteria.

2. Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are designed for patients who still have some healthy natural teeth. They fill the gaps left by missing teeth while seamlessly blending with the existing teeth. Partial dentures are typically held in place with clasps or other attachments that secure them to the remaining natural teeth.

Benefits of Partial Dentures

1. Prevent remaining natural teeth from shifting or moving.
2. Can be customized to match the color and shape of your natural teeth.
3. Affordable compared to other permanent tooth replacement solutions.
4. Easier to remove for cleaning and adjustments.
5. Restore both function and aesthetics for individuals with partial tooth loss.

Disadvantages of Partial Dentures

1. Clasps can be visible, affecting aesthetics.
2. May cause discomfort or irritation to remaining teeth or gums.
3. It can feel bulky and take time to adjust to.
4. Careful maintenance is required to ensure proper fit and avoid damage.
5. It can become loose or unstable if not fitted correctly.

3. Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are an advanced solution that provides a more permanent, secure fit than traditional dentures. These dentures are anchored to dental implants, which are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone. This type of denture is ideal for patients seeking long-term stability and a natural-feeling solution.

Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures

1. Offer a more stable and secure fit compared to traditional dentures.
2. Do not require removal at night, making them more convenient.
3. Help preserve jawbone health by stimulating the bone through implants.
4. Provide a more natural feel and function similar to real teeth.
5. Eliminate the need for adhesives or clasps.

Disadvantages of Implant-Supported Dentures:

1. Higher initial cost due to surgery and implants.
2. Requires sufficient bone density in the jaw for implant placement.
3. The procedure can take several months to complete due to the healing process.
4. Multiple visits to the dentist may be required for fitting and adjustments.
5. It is not suitable for patients with certain medical conditions or who have an insufficient jawbone structure.

4. Flexible Dentures

Flexible dentures are made from a soft, durable material like nylon, making them more comfortable and adaptable than traditional acrylic dentures. They are ideal for individuals with sensitive gums or those who experience irritation with rigid dentures. Flexible dentures are lightweight and highly adaptable to your mouth’s shape.

Benefits of Flexible Dentures

1. More comfortable and flexible than traditional dentures.
2. Adapt well to the contours of your gums for a secure fit.
3. Lightweight and resistant to damage.
4. Offer a more natural appearance due to the color-matching material.
5. Easier to adjust to changes in your mouth over time.

Disadvantages of Flexible Dentures

1. More expensive than acrylic dentures.
2. It can stain over time if not properly cleaned.
3. Less durable than metal-framed dentures.
4. May not be as stable as implant-supported dentures.
5. Limited repair options if the denture is damaged.

5. Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures are placed immediately after tooth extraction, allowing patients to maintain a full smile while their gums heal. These dentures are typically temporary and may require adjustments or relining as the gums heal and change shape.

Benefits of Immediate Dentures

1. Provide an immediate solution after tooth extraction, so you’re not without teeth.
2. It allows you to maintain a full smile during the healing process.
3. Custom-made to fit your mouth immediately after extraction.
4. It helps you avoid self-consciousness and discomfort from missing teeth.
5. Reduce the healing time by supporting your gums during recovery.

Disadvantages of Immediate Dentures

1. Require adjustments once the gums heal, as the fit may change.
2. It may feel bulky or uncomfortable during the adjustment period.
3. Not a long-term solution; they are typically replaced with permanent dentures.
4. It can shift or slip if not appropriately fitted after the extraction.
5. Require more frequent maintenance and relining than permanent dentures.

What Materials Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are crafted from various materials, each selected for durability, aesthetics, and comfort. The most common materials include:

1. Acrylic Resin: Lightweight and durable, acrylic is often used for both the base and teeth in dentures. It can be easily color-matched to your gums and natural teeth.
2. Porcelain: Used for the teeth, porcelain offers a more natural look and is highly resistant to stains. However, it is more fragile compared to acrylic.
3. Metal: Often used in partial dentures for added strength, metal frameworks provide stability and ensure the dentures stay in place.
4. Nylon: Flexible dentures are made from nylon, a soft and durable material that adjusts well to the mouth’s shape and offers comfort over traditional acrylic.

How to Choose the Right Denture for You?

Choosing the right denture depends on various factors. Keep these important considerations in mind when you make the choice:

1. Oral Health: Consider your remaining teeth and the health of your gums. If you have sufficient bone density, implant-supported dentures may be a good option.
2. Cost: Full and partial dentures are generally more affordable than implant-supported options. Consider your budget when choosing.
3. Comfort: Flexible dentures are more comfortable for sensitive gums, while full dentures may take time.
4. Longevity: Implant-supported dentures last longer than traditional dentures, making them a good long-term investment.
5. Aesthetic Preferences: Porcelain and flexible dentures offer a more natural look, which may be important for some individuals.
   

Takeaway

Several different types of dentures are available, each offering unique benefits tailored to your needs. Whether you’re considering full dentures, partial dentures, or a more permanent solution like implant-supported dentures, Ammons Dental by Design can help guide you to the right choice. Our expert team provides customized denture solutions to restore your smile’s function and aesthetics.

Ready to Explore the Different Types of Dentures?

Book your consultation today at Ammons Dental by Design. We have convenient locations in Downtown Charleston, James Island, Camden, Summerville, and West Ashley. Let us help you find the perfect denture solution to restore your smile and function. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

FAQs

What is the best type of dentures to get?

The best type of dentures depends on your individual needs and oral health. Implant-supported dentures offer superior stability and a more permanent solution, while traditional full or partial dentures are ideal for those who need a more affordable or temporary option.

What is the most comfortable denture to wear?

Flexible dentures are generally the most comfortable to wear. Made from soft, pliable materials, they adapt better to the contours of your mouth, offering a more natural feel and less irritation than traditional acrylic dentures.

What is the most expensive type of denture?

Implant-supported dentures are the most expensive type of denture. The cost is higher due to the need for dental implants, which require surgery and a longer treatment time compared to traditional removable dentures.