Types of Dentures
Patients will be outfitted with a specific type of denture depending on their specific need.
Full Dentures
When you hear the word “dentures,” you most likely think of full dentures. Full dentures are a complete set of teeth, mounted in pink plastic, designed to look like gums. In most cases, full dentures are held in place with suction, which can take some getting used to.
Typically, full dentures are used for patients who no longer have any teeth. In some cases, a patient may have a few teeth left. In cases like these, your dentist may recommend overdentures, which will fit over the remaining natural teeth. If a patient has difficulty keeping their full dentures in with suction alone, a dentist may install an implant under the gums, then give them overdentures that fit over the implant. Overdentures are still removeable, even with the implant.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are also called a removable partial denture prosthesis or partials. Partials are sometimes used when a patient is missing a few teeth in a row, but the remaining teeth aren’t strong enough to support a bridge, or too many are missing in a row. Typically partial dentures are held in place by clasps, which are attached to adjacent teeth. Sometimes partial dentures look similar to a retainer with teeth attached.
