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There are a range of different types of dentures. They include complete dentures, snap-on dentures, partial dentures, and partial permanent dentures. Your dentist can help you decide which option is the best for you, but to help you figure out the options, here is a look at the different types of dentures and the situations where they work the best.
Complete Dentures
Complete or full dentures are top and bottom dentures that replace every tooth in your mouth. If you are currently missing all your teeth, this may be the best option for you. Similarly, if you are missing most of your teeth and the remaining teeth are relatively decayed, the dentist may advise that you get those teeth extracted and get dentures.
Generally, complete dentures rest on the bony ridges of your gums, and you need to use a denture fixodent to hold them in place. If you want a more secure fit that doesn’t require any fixodent, you may want to talk with your dentist about snap-on dentures.
Snap-On Dentures
Snap-on dentures snap onto small metal ridges or posts that are implanted in your jaw bone. These innovative dentures are great for anyone who wants to avoid the feeling of loose dentures. However, in order for the implants to work, your jaw bone needs to be healthy. If your jaw bone has partially deteriorated, your oral surgeon may be able to do a bone graft for you.
The implant process takes several weeks so you need to account for that extra time while making your decision. You can get both complete and partial snap-on dentures.
Partial Dentures
As suggested by the name, partial dentures only replace some of the teeth in your mouth. If you are missing several teeth on the top of bottom of your mouth, you may want to consider partial dentures. These dentures usually feature a small metal wire that connects to other teeth in your mouth.
With partial removable dentures, you have to take out the dentures and clean them at the end of every day. If you don’t want to do that or if you are worried about losing the dentures, you may want to consider partial permanent dentures.
Partial Permanent Dentures
Also called bridges, partial permanent dentures are permanently affixed in your mouth. Generally, they consist of a bridge (a series of fake teeth) which runs between two implants or crowns. If you opt for implants, the oral surgeon has to put two small metal posts into your jaw bone. Then, caps go onto each of those posts, and the caps are attached to the bridge.
Alternatively, if the area with missing teeth is surrounded by two healthy intact teeth, the oral surgeon can put a crown or cap on those teeth. Then, the bridge can connect to those caps.
If you want to learn more about dentures and what type of dentures are best for you, contact us at Greater Atlanta Oral Facial Surgery today. We are an oral and maxillofacial dental office with two locations. We are located about 30 miles north of Atlanta in Cumming, GA as well as our new location in Buckhead.