Dentures are removable oral appliances that replace missing teeth. There are many types of dentures, including full, partial and implant-supported dentures. With proper care and maintenance, the average lifespan of a denture is seven to 10 years.
Dental technicians craft dentures from materials like acrylic, resin, nylon, metal and porcelain.
Also called a complete denture, this appliance replaces an entire arch of missing teeth. A full denture rests atop your gums and relies on your palate (the roof of your mouth) or lower jawbone ridge for support. You may need to use denture adhesive (a special type of glue) to keep your appliance firmly in place.
Full dentures are likely what comes to mind when you think about traditional dentures. They consist of artificial teeth and a gum-colored base.
People who wear dentures usually take them out at night to clean them and give their gums a rest.
If you’re missing several or most of your teeth in one or both jaws, partial dentures may be an option. Partial dentures are similar to full dentures, as they also rely on your gums and underlying bone for support. But partial dentures also have special clasps that hook around your remaining natural teeth, providing additional stability.
Sometimes people need tooth extractions before they can wear dentures. An immediate denture is a device you wear right after extractions.
In some cases, immediate dentures are temporary appliances. Once you’ve healed, your dentist will replace them with your final dentures. In other cases, you might be able to wear your final denture immediately after surgery. Your dentist can tell you what to expect in your situation.
Instead of relying on your jawbone ridge and gums for support, implant-retained dentures attach to dental implants. Dental implants are small, threaded posts that surgeons place in your jawbone to replace missing teeth roots.
Like traditional dentures, implant-retained dentures are removable. You take them out at night to clean and soak them.
Implant-retained dentures typically offer more stability than traditional dentures because they “snap on” to implants embedded in your jaw. You won’t need denture glue to secure them in your mouth. For this reason, some people call them “snap-in dentures.”
Unlike other types of dentures, implant-supported dentures (also called permanent dentures or hybrid dentures) are non-removable. They don’t snap in and out, and only your dentist can remove them.
Dentists recommend implant-supported dentures for people who don’t want removable oral appliances. The downside of a nonremovable denture is that it requires more thorough daily cleaning, including flossing underneath your denture.
A dentist will examine your mouth, including your jaws, gums and any remaining teeth. They’ll also take dental X-rays to check the thickness of your jawbone.
If your dentist determines that you’re eligible for dentures, they’ll discuss your denture options with you. The denture that’s right for you depends on several factors, including:
Dentures offer a number of benefits, including: