The best option in every way in the case of loss of several or all teeth is implants that retain or hold prosthetic restorations. However, dentures remain a possible solution, and some types of
dentures are now offering better results than before. You will, naturally, need some time and practice adjusting to them, and will lose the natural teeth sensation, but existing dentures offer
more natural appearance and relatively greater comfort than before.
Dentures consist of an acrylic base that acts and has the same color as gums, while it retains
artificial teeth of acrylic or porcelain material. Dentures are removable restorations; the
patients can, therefore, remove them on their own accord.
Complete dentures are the preferred option when all the teeth of the dental arch are or going to be lost. The acrylic base on the lower jaw fits over the gums, while the base of the upper denture covers the palate for better retention. In many cases, the patient may have not yet
lost all of his or her teeth, but if the prognosis for the remaining teeth is not good, we may not be able to avoid extraction. In extraction cases, we will have to wait for a few months for the gums and other tissues to heal.
But in order to avoid having the patient left without teeth during the healing process, we can use immediate complete dentures, which can be used immediately after extraction. Their advantage is immediate placement, but they should be replaced soon, because after
extraction the bone starts to shrink and affects the support. This is why immediate dentures are only a temporary solution.
Upper jaw complete dentures have relatively good retention due to the material that covers the palate. The lower jaw dentures on the other hand present significant stability and retention challenges. Therefore, a great solution is to combine a conventional upper denture and to
place two implants on the lower jaw for the attachment of an onlay denture. We can thus benefit from each option, and reduce the cost we would face if we chose a complete implant restoration.
Partial dentures are the preferred option when we have lost several but not all of our teeth and the remaining teeth are healthy. They are basically an alternative to the placement of one or more bridges. Partial dentures consist of an acrylic base which, in combination with metal framework and special hooks, connects to the remaining teeth and is retained in place. Some partial dentures do not have metal framework, but their use is not indicated for every case. To
preserve the remaining teeth that support the partial denture, we usually cover them by crowns.
An aesthetically superior option to the typical dentures with metal hooks is the partial dentures with precision attachments. Their use requires crown placement. This type of partial denture is not attached on the crown via visible metal hooks, but with precision attachments that are invisible.
These dentures offer greater stability and aesthetic result.
Partial dentures are the preferred option when we have lost several but not all of our teeth and the remaining teeth are healthy. They are basically an alternative to the placement of one or more bridges. Partial dentures consist of an acrylic base which, in combination with metal framework and special hooks, connects to the remaining teeth and is retained in place. Some partial dentures do not have metal framework, but their use is not indicated for every case. To
preserve the remaining teeth that support the partial denture, we usually cover them by crowns.
An aesthetically superior option to the typical dentures with metal hooks is the partial dentures with precision attachments. Their use requires crown placement. This type of partial denture is not attached on the crown via visible metal hooks, but with precision attachments that are invisible.
These dentures offer greater stability and aesthetic result.
If we have some remaining healthy teeth or tooth roots, then onlay dentures is the option with
the best functioning results. They present great advantage, because they are not directly
supported by the gums, but by the roots of the natural teeth. For their placement, we must
remove the visible part of the remaining natural teeth to attach the denture. Onlay dentures
are connected by special attachments and provide many advantages in relation to
conventional complete dentures: