4 Types of Dentures: Which Is Best for You?

Everyone knows what dentures are, but until you’ve been told you need them, you may not realize that about one in five people are wearing them.

Once you know you need them, you can begin to learn more: how dentures are installed, how to eat with dentures, and maybe most importantly, which type of dentures are best for you.

To help you with that last part, our team at EZ Dental Clinic located in Bellevue, Washington, offers four types of dentures. Here’s information to help you determine which type will work best for you.

Partial dentures

If you’re missing just a few teeth, partial dentures may be your best bet. Porcelain prosthetic teeth designed to fill in the space are attached to a metal or acrylic frame. This frame then clips to your existing teeth to provide stability. The clips can be undone if you need to remove your dentures.

Full dentures

Full, or complete, dentures are probably what you think of when you hear the word “dentures.” They replace an entire arch of missing teeth in the upper or lower half of your mouth. The teeth are made of porcelain or acrylic and rest on an acrylic base. 

A full denture set rests on your gum (adhesive helps hold the set in place), and is supported by your palate or the ridge of your lower jawbone. Most people who have full dentures take them out at night to clean them and give their gums a rest.

Same-day dentures

Same-day, or immediate, dentures are produced in the office when you need to wear them immediately after a tooth extraction. In some cases, they’re a temporary set until you can get the final version. 

In other cases, they’ll be all you need. If this is your situation, you may need to return to our office in a few months to have your dentures refitted; sometimes the shape of your gum can change slightly as it heals from the loss of a tooth.

Implant-supported dentures

This type of denture is held in place by implants, or small metal posts implanted in your jawbone to replace missing teeth roots. The implants can anchor crowns, bridges, and dentures. Some types of implant-supported dentures are made to be removed and some aren’t. Ask your dentist which is best for your situation.

Now that you have an idea of the various types of dentures, our team at EZ Dental Clinic looks forward to helping install the dentures that are best for you. To make an appointment, just call our office or use our online scheduler today.