Upper False Teeth Options
People lose teeth for a number of reasons including age, genetics, trauma, underlying medical conditions, or even certain medications. Advances in dental technology have provided a number of options for patients to replace missing teeth and restore their smile. If a patient needs to replace all of their teeth, there are different types of dentures available to bring back their health, smile, and confidence. It is important to replace missing teeth not only for your oral health but also for your overall health. A few missing teeth in one area of your mouth can quickly lead to the deterioration of your job down in that area which can result in the loss of additional teeth. This domino effect can eventually lead you to losing all of your teeth. Your dentist can help you decide what type of denture it will best suit your individual needs and your lifestyle. Let's take a look at the types of dentures available to patients today.
Types of Dentures
The denture that comes to mind for most people is a traditional full or partial denture; there are actually quite a few types of dentures available. All dentures are made using an acrylic base that is color matched to the patient's gum tissue with porcelain teeth that are color matched to any remaining teeth.
Traditional Dentures
A traditional denture can be a partial denture or a full denture. A partial denture replaces a few teeth missing in one area of the mouth and uses healthy neighboring teeth to stay in place using hooks or clasps.
A full denture replaces an entire arch of teeth on one or both arches and is held in place using suction and retention, adding denture adhesive when necessary. A full upper denture covers the entire upper arch including the roof of the mouth and a lower denture is horse-shoe shaped to allow room for the tongue.
Both a full and partial denture are easily removed by the patient for cleaning and sleeping. This type of denture is placed 6 to 8 weeks after teeth are extracted.
Immediate Denture
An immediate denture is the same as a traditional denture, full or partial, but it is able to be placed immediately after extractions. Not everyone is a candidate for an immediate denture so speak with your dentist to see if this is an option for you.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is essentially a partial denture but it is permanently fixed in place and cannot be removed by the patient. Patients who are missing only a few teeth between healthy teeth may be able to have this type of fixed denture. Instead of hooks or clasps, a dental bridge is held in place using dental crowns on either side of the fake teeth which are cemented onto the neighboring healthy teeth. The downside of a dental bridge is that healthy tooth structure must be removed to allow for the crowns to fit properly. If you do not feel a removable partial denture is right for you, speak with your Dentist about a dental bridge.
Custom and Economy Denture
A custom denture is exactly what it sounds like, a denture fabricated specifically for you to give your smile and natural looking appearance. A custom denture is usually fabricated using more expensive materials but the patient has an added benefit of being able to see their denture before it is placed.
An economy denture is a generic denture and may not fit properly and they can often look fake. Most of the time, the patient will need to use a denture adhesive to keep the denture secure. An economy denture is more cost-effective for some patients.
Alternatives to Traditional Dentures
For patients who would like a more permanent solution, dental implants can be utilized to stabilize a denture for a much more natural looking and comfortable way to replace a significant number of teeth. An implant supported denture cannot be removed by the patient, only by a Dentist.
A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone by either an oral surgeon or a periodontist. A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root and helps support not only the implant restoration but also bone structure. Your doctor will begin your implant placement by administering a local anesthetic to the site. Then they will make a small incision in the gum tissue and drill a small hole into the jawbone. The titanium post is then inserted into the hole and the gum tissue is sutured up around the post. A small portion of the implant is left protruding through the gum tissue but is covered using a temporary abutment to protect it while you heal. The extending part is what the restoration will be anchored to.
While you heal for up to six months, the implant will fuse with your jawbone to provide a secure and stable base for your implant restoration. Dental implants not only help stabilize the restoration but have the added benefit of supporting bone structure. Dental implants stimulate bone regeneration just like our tooth roots and can be a great way to prevent deterioration that might happen with other dentures that sit above the gum surface.
When patients wear a traditional denture for a number of years, their bone structure can actually begin to deteriorate. This deterioration causes changes in facial structure and can cause the denture to become ill-fitting and uncomfortable.
Implant-supported Denture
An implant-supported denture uses dental implants to be held in place. Implants can support a partial or full denture, using up to six or even eight implants for a full denture. Also called an all-on-four, an implant-supported denture is a great option for patients who are willing and able to endure the extensive treatment time.
Implant-supported dentures are one of the most natural-looking options and have a longer lifespan than traditional dentures which need to be replaced every ten years or so. Implant-supported dentures can easily last up to 25 years, only needing to be replaced due to normal wear and tear. This is a permanent denture that cannot be removed by the patient, only by a Dentist.
Snap-in Denture
A snap-in denture is more cost effective than an all-on-four but is just as stable and secure. This type of denture is still held in place using dental implants but can be removed by the patient for oral care and sleeping.