Dentures

A denture is a removable dental appliance used as a replacement for missing teeth. Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and can even enhance your smile. The replacement of missing teeth can restore a natural facial appearance and corrects the collapsed appearance that often occurs after losing teeth.

Dentures can be "complete" or "partial". Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.

Complete dentures may be either “conventional” or “immediate”. Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed - preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the gums shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made to the dentures.

Removable Partial Dentures are appliances that replace only a few missing teeth and they usually require clasps or attachments to anchor the device to existing teeth.