Complete dentures are called "conventional" or "immediate" according to when they are made and when they are inserted into the mouth. Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, the dentist takes measurements and makes the models of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit.

Dentures are false teeth made to replace teeth you have lost. Dentures can be complete or partial. Complete dentures cover your entire upper or lower jaw. Partials replace one or a few teeth. Advances in dentistry have made many improvements in dentures. They are more natural looking and comfortable than they used to be. But they still may feel strange at first. In the beginning, your dentist may want to see you often to make sure the dentures fit.

An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining to fit properly. A conventional denture can then be made once the tissues have healed. Healing may take at least 6-8 weeks.

Lower dentures can be very hard to wear. Many people with upper and lower dentures often wear only the upper on a routine basis, since uppers are retained with at least a degree of suction. Lower dentures are the real challenge, since they are retained mostly by the muscles of the lips and cheeks, and the tongue. Fortunately, now there is a new, relatively inexpensive way to stabilize the lower denture. Indeed, this technology can make the denture act almost like real teeth.

Types of Dentures

Standard Denture: The standard denture is designed for individuals who have already lost all of their original teeth. TRhese are the types of dentures that have been used for the past few decades, although there have been a few modifications in order to help them fit better and be more comfortable to wear. These standard dentures can be sized by removing some of the back portion of the denture. The only drawback to doing this is that the more that is removed, the less of a seal you'll have in your mouth to hold them in place.

Full dentures are for those who have lost most of their teeth in one or both jaws. Usually a full denture requires the removal of teeth that are diseased, dead, or dying. Full dentures can't be placed until the gums have healed. If there are any teeth remaining, they are usually kept to give the full denture more stability. Another option for full dentures in the event of total tooth loss is a denture implant. Denture implants are prosthetic rods inserted into the jawbone that act like roots for the full denture to anchor into.

Partial Dentures: Designed to correct the gaps in your smile when only some of your teeth are missing. Metal attachments anchor the dentures to your natural teeth. Partial Dentures maintain tooth alignment by preventing your remaining teeth from shifting. Partial Dentures can also help prevent your loss of more teeth due to decay or gum disease.

Overdentures fit over your few remaining teeth or dental implants. Your teeth or implants give the denture stability, so it's less likely to shift in your mouth. To fit an overdenture, your natural teeth usually need to be reshaped to fit in the denture.