Dentures are artificial replacements for your natural teeth and gums. There are two kinds of dentures; full and partial. Full dentures are needed when all of the existing teeth are replaced. Partial dentures are used when there are still enough healthy teeth to not require a complete replacement.
Full dentures are a complete replacement for your existing teeth. After the teeth have been removed, your jaw will need an eight to twelve week healing period before dentures can be fitted as the bones and gums will need time to shrink and heal after extraction. During this period you may opt for temporary “immediate” dentures. These dentures are a temporary fitting so you will have teeth during the healing period but may require frequent adjustments as the bone and gums shrink.
Partial dentures are removable replacement teeth attached to an artificial gum. Unlike full dentures they are not a complete set of replacement teeth but a partial set of teeth which is anchored to existing teeth.
Caring for Partial Dentures
The clasp of the partial dentures, usually made of metal, holds onto the remaining intact teeth. This can lead to an increased chance of tooth decay of the remaining teeth as food particles tend to stick to the metal clasp. You must be diligent in cleaning your teeth by brushing and flossing, ideally after each meal. You must also remove and clean your partial denture, placing it in a container to keep dry. Remember to clean your teeth thoroughly before you go to bed every night.