Centre Dental

Preventive Dentistry  |  Root Canals  |  Crowns and Bridges
Gum Diseases  |  Tooth Extractions (including Wisdom Tooth)
Sleep Dentistry  |  Cavities/Fillings  |  Dentures

What is Denture?

      A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available -- complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

Complete Dentures
   
      Complete dentures can be either "conventional" or "immediate."  Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.  If patient cannot be without teeth right after teeth removal, an immediate denture can be made prior to teeth removal, and inserted right after teeth removal. Bear in mind this type of denture can only be used as a temporary solution and used mainly for cosmetic considerations.  Patient who chooses this treatment shoulld expect some initial discomfort and multiple adjustments afterwards.

Partial Dentures

      A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink -colored plastic base, which is connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth.  One or more metal clasps clips on natural teeth for retention. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.


Pros and Cons of Dentures
(when compared to other treatment modalities, such as fixed bridges or implants)

• Pros: economical, relatively short treatment time, no surgeries needed after teeth removal, easy to clean and easy to repair.
• Cons: adaptation difficulty (especially full dentures) affecting speech, eating, salivation and unnatural mobility, multiple adjustments needed, continued jawbone resorption and gum thrinkage.