Your Smile Guide to Types of Dentures and How to Choose Between Them

Did you know that by the age of 17, around 7% of people have lost a tooth to decay? If you’re missing one or more teeth, you might find it difficult to speak or eat. As a result, you might experience a decrease in self-confidence. If you’re missing any amount of teeth, you deserve to receive quality dental care. One option is dentures. There are different types of dentures that you can choose from that will address your unique needs. 

This guide will go over what you need to know about dentures and where you can find a qualified dental care specialist. 

Full or Complete Dentures

Full or complete dentures are traditional, full-coverage dentures. This type of denture will replace your entire lower or upper arch of missing or damaged teeth. 

Your oral surgeon will start by extracting any remaining teeth. Then, your dental specialist will start with a plastic base to prepare complete dentures for you. This supports a full set of porcelain or plastic teeth. 

The dentist will then use bone grafting or a sealant to hold the dentures in your mouth. Full dentures can also be held in place by dental implants. 

Complete dentures are entirely customizable. They help restore the look and shape of your natural teeth. This type of denture also helps you chew and grind teeth as you would with natural teeth. 

The average candidate for full dentures are those who are elderly or people who have lost all of their teeth. With full dentures, you’ll achieve a more youthful appearance and a healthier smile. 

Partial Dentures

Partial, or removable dentures work to restore the functionality of your jaw by replacing missing teeth. 

Your dental specialist will create a metal framework or plastic base for your partial dentures. This is then held in place by multiple clasps. The dentures rest around your remaining teeth. 

Partial dentures are typically recommended for patients that can’t receive an implant-supported bridge. They’re easy to remove when it comes time to clean them.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

Another name for All-On-Four dental is “full arch dental implant bridges.” Four screws are placed into the jawbone and gums and left to heal sufficiently before the implant bridge can be secured in place. Once implanted, the bridge will never need to be removed and will resemble the appearance of your natural teeth.

As with all dental implants, All-On-Four dental implants are placed during an outpatient surgical procedure with an oral surgeon. Most patients will want to take advantage of some sort of sedation for this procedure, in addition to the local anesthetic that will be used.

Before leaving Santa Monica Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, patients are typically fitted with a comfortable set of “fixed” temporary teeth. After the implants have fully healed with the bone (which can take up to 4 months), the patient will receive a permanent new set of teeth from their general dentist.

Traditional approaches to restoring a full arch of teeth (upper jaw or lower jaw, or both) usually involve six or more dental implants and as many as 18 months of treatment. This approach typically requires a patient to often be without any teeth or with ill-fitting temporary dentures for more than a year.

All-On-Four implants are more stable and secure and function just like natural teeth.

What Are the Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants?

The technology behind dentures and All-on-4 implants has evolved over the years. They’re designed to be comfortable while helping you smile, chew, and look confident. 

After surgery, your dentist might give you a list of certain foods to eat in moderation to increase the longevity of your dentures. Once your dental implants are fully integrated,  you won’t have any restrictions on the food you eat. You can eat all the food you love with a restored smile.

All-on-4 implants also work to increase the support in your facial muscles. The bone structure in your mouth can deteriorate if you have missing teeth. Dentures will improve the rate of disintegration of the bones in your mouth and alleviate some of the wear and tear on your remaining teeth. Chewing with dentures on will equally distribute the pressure throughout your entire mouth. 

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a screw-like device that gets inserted into your jawbone. The screws function like artificial tooth roots and are typically made from titanium.

Once the implant is secured into the jawbone, a crown is placed on top. 

Implant Supported Dental Bridges

Implant supported dental bridges are permanent and replace one or more missing teeth. It’s comprised a dental implant, to replace both the lost natural tooth and its root, and a crown that is formed to fit into the open spaces in your mouth where your teeth used to be. 

Am I a Good Candidate for Dentures?

Patients who have significant tooth loss are good candidates for dentures. Receiving false teeth isn’t dependent on your age. The quality and condition of your teeth are the primary consideration point. 

Another thing to keep in mind is if you have healthy gum tissue and a good amount of jawbone. Dentures need support from your mouth’s natural teeth so they can stay in place for a long period of time. 

How Do I Choose the Right Dentist for Me?

There are many options for dentures and other tooth restoration procedures. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what’s best for you. That’s why making an appointment at a dentist and oral surgery office is important. 

At Santa Monica Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, we’re committed to helping you achieve a healthy and flawless smile. We’ll welcome you into our calm and relaxing office space. Our innovative treatments help our patients reach their goals, no matter the health of their smile. 

Our services are unique because we incorporate the innovation of cutting-edge surgical technology with classic patient-centered care. Make an appointment with us today to learn more about our services. 

Learn About Different Types of Dentures

Our dental care staff is ready to help you discuss the various types of dentures. We’ll create a customized treatment plan that has your needs and goals in mind. We can’t wait to give you high-quality and professional dental care services.