Understanding the Different Types of Dentures

In 2020, nearly 41 million Americans used dentures. Despite being so common, dentures have a bad reputation. However, thanks to new types of dentures that have a more personalized fit and better appearance, they no longer deserve that reputation.

In this blog, our specialists at Bucktown Wicker Park Dental in Chicago discuss what you need to know about the most common types of dentures.

Conventional full dentures

If you’ve lost all of your teeth on one or both of your arches, you may be a good candidate for conventional full dentures. These dentures are customized to fit on your gums, and they’re applied 12-18 weeks after your last extraction.

Conventional full dentures may slip if they aren’t periodically replaced. This is because gum tissue can shrink over time. If this happens, your dentures will need to be customized to fit your gums.

Immediate full dentures

Immediate full dentures are an appealing option for patients who don’t want to go weeks in public without teeth. These dentures are placed right after your teeth are extracted.

The downside of immediate full dentures is that they may have trouble fitting after your gums have healed and are no longer swollen and inflamed. In this case, you’ll need to be refitted for dentures.

Partial dentures

If you haven’t lost all of your teeth on one or both of your arches, you can opt for partial dentures. Partial dentures stay in place by a clasp that attaches to your natural teeth.

Wearers of partial dentures may be prone to plaque buildup between their dental prosthetics and natural teeth. Furthermore, the pressure applied on your natural teeth by the clasp from the dentures may lead to dental damage and gum soreness.

More tooth-replacement options

Aside from dentures, our staff also offers All-on-4® implants. These are full-arch, fixed dental bridges that can replace missing teeth on either arch.

With All-on-4 implants, you can chew on your favorite foods just like you would with your natural teeth, because the implants won’t shift in your mouth. We also offer dental implants, which are individual prosthetics that replace individual teeth.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, we can help give you a great smile again. Whether you're considering dentures or another solution, we can give you a thorough evaluation and go over all your treatment options. To learn more, book an appointment over the phone with Bucktown Wicker Park Dental today.