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.

Partial Dentures

Partial Dentures, shortly called as Partials, are a removable kind of dentures. Partials are a good choice for people who still have quite a lot of remaining healthy teeth just because it would be a waste to dispose the healthy ones that can still be used. Partials are sometimes called as “fixed bridges”, but the two actually differ from each other in a way that partials are removable while fixed bridges, as their name suggests, aren’t. Fixed bridges are permanently attached to adjacent teeth, making them listed as a less desirable choice. Partials, on the other hand, use an acrylic, metal frame that has clasps that snap onto the remaining teeth, filling in the spaces with the artificial denture teeth.

Complete Dentures

Complete Dentures, also called as Full Dentures, are highly recommended for people who have most or all of their teeth removed. Traditional full dentures will be given to patients who have missing upper and lower teeth. If there are still remaining teeth and the patient plans to have them removed, the dentist shall perform the necessary tooth extraction operations, followed by the immediate placement of complete dentures.