What Is the Difference Between Full and Partial Dentures?

Having an incomplete smile can make a mess of your day. Whether you are struggling to eat your favorite foods or are embarrassed to open your mouth, missing teeth can cause a hassle in your day-to-day life. However, knowing which type of tooth replacement would work better for you is another chore entirely.

What is the difference between full dentures and partial dentures, and how can you choose between them?

If you are looking for a natural-looking tooth replacement, you’re in luck. Here are the differences between partial and full dentures and how to know which works best for you.

Full Dentures

Full dentures are designed to complete your smile, filled with natural-looking false teeth. Also referred to as complete or traditional dentures, full dentures replace all of your natural teeth; this may require your dentist to extract any teeth you still have to make room for the dentures.

There are two types of full dentures available: immediate dentures and conventional dentures. Conventional dentures are designed to match the shape of your mouth and require some healing time for your gums if you had to have teeth removed. It may take 8 to 12 weeks before you can begin wearing conventional dentures.

Meanwhile, immediate dentures can be used immediately following tooth removal without the need for recovery time. Many people choose immediate dentures, as going without teeth for an extended period of time is an inconvenience. However, immediate dentures are generally considered a temporary solution while waiting for conventional dentures.

Full dentures are removable and should be taken out each night. It’s important to clean the dentures regularly to avoid bacteria buildup underneath the device. There are special cleaning agents you can use to clean the dentures; once they have been cleaned, leave them to soak overnight.

Partial Dentures

Unlike full dentures, partial dentures are used to replace one or more missing teeth. Your dentist will design partial dentures based on your missing teeth to create a natural-looking smile. They can be removable or permanently implanted in the mouth.

Partial dentures clasp onto the surrounding teeth and are attached to a colored plastic base. This base is designed to match the color of your gums. That way, the teeth still have a natural appearance all the way from the tip to the base.

Fixed dentures, also known as dental bridges, are kept stable by placing crowns on each of the surrounding teeth; these are used as anchors for the prosthetic teeth, helping them stay in place. These are a popular option for those who need partial dentures, as they help maintain the shape and structure of the mouth.

Removable partial dentures are removed and cleaned each night, just like with complete dentures. Once you become accustomed to wearing full or partial dentures, they will feel perfectly natural!

Implant-Supported Dentures

There is a final type of dentures called implant-supported dentures. These types of dentures are ideal for those who have lost all of the teeth on their upper or lower jaw, as they replace the entire row. It is necessary that the patient has high-quality jawbones before undergoing a procedure to get implant-supported dentures.

With this option, a series of implants are placed directly into the lower or upper jawbone. Your dentist will insert four to eight implants into the jawbone itself, where the denture will be placed onto.

These dentures allow the patient to eat foods and perform tasks that those with traditional dentures may not be able to. However, they do require intensive surgery and recovery time, so think hard if you are considering this option.

How to Tell Which are Right for You

When choosing between partial and complete dentures, your main consideration should be how many teeth you are missing. If you only have a few remaining teeth, then you may want to bite the bullet and have them removed so that you can get a set of complete dentures. However, if you are only missing a few of your teeth, then partial dentures are a better fit for you.

Whether you want removable dentures or fixed dentures is entirely up to you. Some people enjoy the freedom of not needing to remove their dentures each night. For some, they may even have a tendency to forget that they have to remove their teeth.

If you are concerned about maintaining your dentures, then you should consider fixed dentures; you can care for them as you do your normal teeth, brushing and flossing them as usual. However, if you aren’t worried about removing and cleaning your teeth, then you can stick with removable dentures.

Removable dentures are also less expensive than fixed dentures. If you are looking for a cost-effective option for tooth replacement, then removable options would be better for you.

If you still aren’t sure what type of dentures would work best for you, reach out to your dentist for a full examination and consultation. They will know what type of tooth replacement will best fit your needs and your budget. For great deals on dentures, view dentures at Lockhart Dental!

Talk to Your Dentist About Dentures Today

Now that you know the difference between full dentures and partial dentures, you can start speaking confidently with your dentist about what options you want. Remember, if you are ever in doubt, communicate with your dentist directly about your options. After all, dentures aren’t the only natural-looking tooth replacement you can consider!

Do you know someone who feels insecure about their incomplete smile?

Be sure to share this article with your friends and family to help keep them informed and continue reading our blog for more information today!