Exploring The Differences Between Full Dentures and Partial Dentures
While many oral problems could impact your self-confidence, tooth loss seems to top the list. Many people who have one or more teeth missing are not as confident when they smile. The stakes are always higher when it involves multiple tooth loss, more so for the front teeth. Being that millions of people in the world suffer from premature tooth loss, dentistry provides solutions for tooth replacement in restorative dentistry. One of the ways you could have your missing teeth replaced is by getting dentures.
What Are Dentures?
They are tooth replacement oral appliances used to restore multiple missing teeth. Unlike other tooth replacement alternatives in dentistry, dentures in Cupertino, CA, dictate that you have more than three teeth missing in a row. Otherwise, you would only benefit from dental bridges or dental implants.
Dentures typically feature a set of artificial replacement teeth attached to a gum-like base. When place in the mouth, they mimic natural teeth. When you get the right type of dentures, people will hardly notice the difference between your natural teeth and the artificial ones.
What Are the Differences Between Full and Partial Dentures?
Both partial and full dentures serve the same role in dentistry, which is that of replacing lost teeth. However, the two are different in how much coverage they offer. Full dentures are used to replace all teeth in the mouth. It is why they are also called complete dentures. Essentially, you would have to be missing all your natural teeth to qualify for full dentures. If not so, your dentist will have to extract the remaining natural teeth in your mouth before placing complete dentures.
On the other hand, partial dentures allow you to maintain your natural teeth. They can be customized to partially replace your teeth so that the remaining natural teeth remain intact. Partial dentures can be used for any teeth, regardless of the location.
Variants in Restorative Dentistry for Dentures
Even though the main categories of dentures are either full or partial dentures, there are other variants. When you consult a dentist near you, you will learn that dentures can be acquired in different other forms, that is:
- Immediate dentures – they are any types of dentures that are readily available. Regardless of whether you prefer full or partial dentures, for them to be immediate, they need to be pre-made. You can easily get these types of dentures over the counter. They may serve the intended purpose but will most likely be ill-fitting.
- Customized dentures – these are the types that dental experts recommend. They are any types of dentures that are custom-made by dental experts. Ideally, a dentist will take impressions of your mouth, create a mold, and use it as the measurement for manufacturing your dentures. These too, can either be partial or complete dentures. While you may have to stay for a while without teeth, customized dentures will offer a much better fit compared to immediate dentures. You can also pick and choose the materials you prefer for the creation of your dentures.
- Implant-supported dentures – they are the types of dentures that rely on dental implants for support. They are sometimes referred to as permanent dentures since they are held in place by dental implants, which are permanently installed in your jawbone. Implant-supported dentures can cover your entire mouth or partially. Either way, they are more stable than other types of dentures because of the support of dental implants.
Which Dentures Should You Get?
Both full and partial dentures are very effective for replacing lost teeth. Ideally, you only need full dentures when you have lost all your teeth or have very few of them remaining. In that case, removing them would not be too much trouble for your dental health. Otherwise, partial dentures would be best suited for you. In many cases, the dentist will recommend partial dentures to patients who need to have multiple teeth replaced but still want to retain their natural teeth. Either way, both partial and full dentures can help meet your oral needs. Be sure you get relevant information from your dentist regarding which type of denture best befits your oral needs.