Complete and Partial Dentures
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Complete Dentures:
Complete dentures, as the name suggests, are removable dental prostheses meant to replace all the teeth of the upper and/or lower jaws. These artificial sets of teeth allow edentulous(without teeth) patients to eat, speak and smile properly again. Fabricated using acrylic, which is a lightweight, plastic-like material, complete dentures are easy to use, easy to clean, and can be removed from the mouth when not in use. They are also relatively inexpensive as compared to dental bridges and implants – however, there may be certain limitations and drawbacks.
The procedure is fairly straightforward, painless and non-invasive. It requires impressions, facial measurements and jaw records that are all used to fabricate sets of ‘plates’ that patients can wear over their gums. In some cases, patients may need denture adhesives to keep the prostheses from moving in the mouth during function.
Partial Dentures:
Partial dentures are also removable dental prostheses which are meant to replace a single missing tooth, or multiple missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Like bridges, they only replace the crown portion of a missing tooth, but effectively restore dental aesthetics and functionality. They do not require resizing of natural tooth, and use small metal clips, or hooks to stay in place in the oral cavity. Dentists take an impression of the empty socket and the surrounding soft tissues and send it to the laboratory where technicians fabricate and acrylic tooth, or segment of teeth for the jaw. Partial dentures are an inexpensive way of replacing missing teeth in the arches, but if you are looking for a more permanent solution with no complications in the long run, you should consider dental implants.
There are a number of complications associated with leaving dental sockets empty; the most prominent of which include resorption or thinning of the underlying jawbone, mobility of the adjacent teeth, compromised function and aesthetics and mesial drifting of the teeth.
If you’ve recently lost a natural tooth and are looking to replace it for smile aesthetics and masticatory function, give us a call today. Our dental team led by Dr. Tom Trinh is here to help you get the treatment you need, for a flawless, flaunt-worthy smile!