Dentures
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues.
Types of dentures
- Complete Dentures
- Partial Dentures
Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing.
Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
What are Complete Dentures?
Complete dentures can be either
- Conventional
- Immediate
Conventional Dentures are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal.
Immediate Dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed.
What are Partial Dentures?
A removable partial denture or bridge usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is sometimes connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.
A fixed bridge replaces one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. This "bridge" is then cemented into place. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position.