Today, we’re going to focus on dentures. You must always consult your dentist before you decide to opt for any such method. Once your doctor gives you the green light, you then need to learn about all the various types of dentures you can go for before choosing one method.

Different types of dentures are made from very different materials and you need to choose the best one for you based on your requirements.

Here are some of the most commonly available dentures and their key features.

Traditional/Full Dentures

Full or traditional dentures comprise of two sets of teeth – upper and lower. They are removable and can be used as a replacement for missing teeth.  Because traditional dentures consist of two whole sets of teeth, they are suitable for people who lose their teeth in old age.

The sets are made up of acrylic or porcelain and are usually gelled together by a metallic or acrylic base.

Both the sets of teeth lie on top of your gum tissue and the suction is what keeps them in place. You can even use easily available denture glue to help keep the dentures in place and to prevent any food particles from getting trapped inside your dentures.

If you properly take care of your dentures, they can last you somewhere between 5 and 10 years.

The unique quality of full dentures is that they will replace all of your missing teeth and lie at the top of your gums, as opposed to dental bridges that lie amongst existing teeth, binding them together.

After your existing teeth are extracted, you must wait an average of 10 weeks before getting your dentures fitted.

Partial Dentures

These dentures are an appropriate option for those who still have some of their natural teeth left, for example if you are left with one or more teeth in your upper or lower jaw.

Partial dentures comprise of a base that is pinkish in color attached to a piece of metal. Both of these pieces together are what hold the dentures securely inside your mouth.

The best thing about partial dentures is that they are easily removable. As a result, you can conveniently remove them whenever you please. Partial dentures also help to keep your other teeth in place.

These dentures are typically made from acrylic and are designed to fill the space in between your teeth as well.

Temporary Dentures

Temporary dentures or immediate dentures are ones that can be placed in your mouth on the same day as your natural teeth extractions.

Once you realize that these types of dentures are suitable for you, you can opt for these types of dentures. The best part is that you can carry on with your day as usual with these dentures.

So between getting your natural teeth removed and getting your permanent dentures fitted, you can still be able to live normally and eat all the foods you love with the help of partial dentures. In fact, some dentists may even recommend partial dentures as a preliminary step into permanent ones.

Snap-In Dentures

These dentures are the most useful choice if you are looking for stability. Snap-in dentures are held in place permanently with dental implants built into the existing teeth.

These dentures are unique in that they have attachments that are embedded into the tissue part of the denture. This means that similar to partial dentures, snap-in dentures are easily detachable and adjustable.

These dentures are a suitable option for you if you don’t have any teeth left but you do have bone left to support an implant.

Flexible Dentures

These are similar to partial dentures, but are made from slightly different materials from partial dentures.

In general, flexible dentures are made up of a thin material such as nylon as compared to the thicker acrylic used in other dentures.

Flexible dentures tend to be more comfortable as compared to other dentures because of the thinner material used to make them. If you are slowly easing into the world of dentures, these may be for you because they will help you get used to the concept of replacement teeth.

These dentures do not use any metallic elements and as a result also look more natural inside your mouth. You never have to worry about people finding out you’re wearing dentures!

Upper Dentures

Upper dentures are simply dentures meant for your upper jaw. These are suitable for you if you are only missing teeth from your upper jaw due to some sort of accident.