Understanding the Different Types of Dentures

Contrary to what you may have heard, dentures can provide a natural-looking alternative to missing or damaged teeth and bring a great deal of ease to your life. Thanks to advanced technology, dentures are no longer clumsy “false teeth” that have a ghoulish look. They’re also a lot more common than you may realize. In fact, close to 41 million Americans have used these devices to improve their oral health and the appearance of their smile. 

Michael C. Westcott, DDS, and Sujay Trivedi, DMD, provide dentures at Family Dental Care in West Palm Beach, Florida. They work closely with their patients to make sure their dentures fit properly and look great. Read on to learn more about dentures, including the types we offer. 

Complete dentures 

Complete dentures, also known as full dentures, replace all of your upper or lower teeth. They may be a good choice for you if you’ve lost many teeth or have severely damaged teeth throughout your mouth. 

Made out of acrylic or porcelain, complete dentures rest on your gum tissue and stay in place due to suction. If needed, a denture adhesive can be used to secure them and keep food bits from getting trapped and causing discomfort. If you take good care of your complete dentures, they typically last 5-10 years. 

Partial dentures 

Partial dentures can help fill in the gaps if you’ve lost or have severe damage in several of your teeth. They stay secure with a special clasp that attaches to your natural teeth. 

Our specialists can help you learn ways to keep plaque buildup from accumulating between the dentures and your natural teeth. Partial dentures can last up to 15 years.

Adjusting to your dentures

Once you receive your custom-made dentures, your provider goes over your care instructions. For the first several days, you may need to wear your dentures day and night. This can help your specialist quickly identify any needed adjustments. Once your dentures are confirmed to fit properly, you won’t have to wear them while you sleep.

Other steps that can help you adjust to your dentures include:

• Singing while wearing your dentures to improve your enunciation
• Doing cheek exercises to strengthen your facial muscles and improve chewing ease
• Experiment with adhesives
• See your dentist routinely for checkups

If dentures don’t seem ideal, you may be a good candidate for veneers, a smile makeover, or a crown or bridge, all of which can enhance your smile in different ways.

To learn more about dentures or get the dental care you need, book an appointment online or over the phone with Family Dental Care today.