Full And Partial Dentures

What are full and partial dentures?

Full and partial dentures are oral prosthetics that replace some or all of your missing teeth. They’re usually made of acrylic, nylon, or metal and fit snugly over your gums to prevent slipping and sliding.

Full and partial dentures present a variety of benefits. They prevent your cheeks and lips from sagging, they preserve your healthy, remaining teeth, and they make daily tasks like biting, chewing, and speaking much easier.

How are full and partial dentures different?

Full and partial dentures are similar, but they serve different purposes.

Full dentures

A set of full dentures contains acrylic gum tissue color base, with a row of prosthetic teeth.  This sits on top of your gums and sometimes relies on a denture adhesive to stay in place.  If you want a firmer fit, dental implants are an option.

Partial dentures

If you’re only missing some of your permanent teeth, you might benefit from partial dentures. Partial dentures contain several artificial teeth attached to a metal framework. The metal framework snaps into place around your existing teeth, restoring your smile to a healthy, attractive condition.

Are there any other types of dentures?

The team at Emery & Scuro DMD, PC, also offers implant-supported dentures. Implant-supported dentures snap onto dental implants, small metal posts that are surgically placed into small incisions in your gum line. 

Because they’re attached to metal posts, implant-supported dentures don’t require the use of sticky or messy denture adhesives.

How do I care for my dentures?

Your mouth is full of bacteria, so it’s important you care for your dentures regularly to keep them in great shape. This means removing them after meals and gently brushing them with a soft-bristle toothbrush if you have full or partial dentures. You’ll also need to soak them in a denture cleaning solution overnight.

Implant-supported dentures are a little different in that you treat them like your natural, permanent teeth. To keep them in great shape, it’s important to brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit the team at Emery & Scuro DMD, PC, every six months for a professional exam and cleaning.

You might also need to avoid eating or drinking certain foods and beverages. Hot drinks can warp your dentures while biting down on hard candies or popcorn kernels may result in chipping or damage.

To learn more about the benefits of full and partial dentures, schedule an appointment at Emery & Scuro DMD, PC. Call the office or book online today.