A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available – complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
Types of Dentures
Dentures can either be rigid (fixed dentures) or flexible. Dentures can be further categorized into Complete Dentures and Partial Dentures.
1. Rigid Dentures
Rigid dentures are usually made from acrylic resin and metal. Rigid dentures can be complete or partial. Complete dentures cover your entire upper or lower jaw. Partials replace one or a few teeth.
- Complete Dentures: Complete dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate”. A conventional denture is made and placed in the mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed. Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the patient does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.
- Partial Dentures: A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A fixed (permanent) bridge replaces one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. This “bridge” is then cemented into place. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position. A precision partial denture is removable and has internal attachments rather than clasps that attach to the adjacent crowns.
2. Flexible Dentures
With the introduction of Flexible Dentures, now nobody has to know that you are missing teeth. Flexible dentures are undoubtedly the most comfortable, affordable and the perfect choice. It was long thought that removable partial dentures had to be rigid to be effective. The innovation of the Flexible Partial dentures allows the restoration to adapt to the constant movement and flexibility in your mouth. This is the underlying thinking behind this innovative flexible, removable partial denture. The preparation is relatively simple because your natural teeth don’t need to be altered in any way. However, the cost of flexible dentures is a lot more than the fixed ones.
Alternatives to Dentures
The best alternative to dentures is Dental Implants. They can be used to support permanently cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost is usually greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures but not everyone is a candidate for implants. Consult your dentist for advice.
Dental Implants versus Dentures
- Dental Implants are the modern day solution to missing teeth. Dentures have progressed a long way since ivory prosthetics, but many people with missing teeth are still looking for a better solution.
- The most traditional way to solve the problem of missing teeth is to use dentures. In the distant past, dentures have been made from ivory, bone, and porcelain. Although modern plastics allow us to provide dentures that are a little more comfortable, many patients still complain from denture pain, especially those patients with a full set of lower dentures.
- Other considerations make dentures a poor solution to missing teeth. Modern technology allows for an accurate fitting of dentures for each individual’s mouth. Even with such advances, there is still a problem of denture slippage and discomfort.
- If you are missing teeth, you want a solution that is as close to your natural teeth as possible. That is why dental implants are the best alternative to dentures.
- Dental implants are very strong because of the method of placement. There is no problem with slippage, which means that you can eat and speak with comfort and confidence.
Cost of Dentures in India
Medical tourists from foreign destinations often get dentures in India during their medical travels as they know that here they can get the best quality at a pocket friendly budget. One having missing teeth due to advancing old age or other health factors can get affordable cost dentures in India. Dentists at Cosmozone provide affordable cost dentures. When teeth are missing, dentures prove a good for teeth replacement.
