Dentures

Remember even though the outside world might be raining, if you keep on smiling the sun will soon show its face and smile back at you.

Anna Lee

Dentures are replacements for missing teeth. You can get either partial dentures for when some of your natural teeth are healthy and present in your mouth, or, full dentures for when there are no natural teeth left. Dentures are not implants as they are removable.

There are two types of full dentures. There are conventional dentures and immediate dentures. A conventional denture is a dental appliance that can be placed in the mouth about 2-3 months after the teeth have been pulled. This time is needed for gum healing. Immediate dentures are made ahead of time, and can be put in as soon as the teeth have been removed. The advantage is not having to wait 2-3 month to have teeth to use. The disadvantage is that they will require more adjustments because as they heal, your gums will shrink over time, causing the dentures to slip and not fit snugly. Talk with the dentist to determine which path is best for you.

Partial dentures (also referred to as a "bridge") are replacement teeth that are connected together and can be either permanently affixed to your jaw, or, can be removable. When natural teeth are available to help anchor the bridge, it's preferred over removing the teeth for a full denture. Talk with the dentist to determine whether a permanent or removable partial denture is best for you.