Dentures and Partial Dentures

A denture is a custom made removable or fixed dental appliance for missing teeth.  Generally, it is considered a dental prosthesis, the same as a dental crown or bridge, and is a very important appliance to restore function, looks, and comfort.  It has many different varieties, from very basic acrylic and plastic teeth, with reinforced metal framework, to high grade porcelain teeth on precision milled titanium framework, fixed (or screwed in) and supported by dental implants.  

A removal partial denture for missing
front teeth and back tooth

A denture is designed specifically for you, and only you can wear it.  A denture is not neccesarily a replacement for your missing teeth, but a solution to your missing teeth.  Dr. Vuong takes the proper steps and time to make your dentures so that they would fit the best and most comfortably for you.   Together with the dental technician, we will work closely with you to select the color of your teeth and design the dentures, so that we can enhance your smile.  We will also keep in mind to restore your bite to its youthful appearance.

There are two types of dentures, called complete or partial dentures. A complete denture is made when all of your teeth are missing or need to be removed, while a partial denture is made when we can keep some of your teeth. The proper term for a dental bridge is Fixed Partial Denture, since it replaces one or more missing teeth, and is cemented onto remaining teeth.  A removable partial denture, however, requires that you take it in and out to clean.  As mentioned above, a complete denture can also be fixed or cemented.  We want to maintain your remaining teeth for as long as possible. Natural teeth are always better than denture teeth. Your natural teeth not only help keep your dentures stable, but also preserve your bone level.

A removable partial denture replaces many missing back teeth.

Temporary partial dentures can be made when a patient needs a quick turn around time and fast inexpensive solution to a cosmetic concern.  Or when a few teeth need to be removed, a temporary partial denture is needed during healing time.  While there are existing conditions such as cavities, gum disease, or other more pressing situations that can not be met, or when on-going extensive treatment is needed and planned, temporary partial dentures play an important role.  

For example, in the case on the left, gum treatment is needed.  Perhaps this patient will want to have braces to correct his overbite and crowding, or he may want implants to replace these missing teeth.  A bridge could be another option.  We made a temporary partial denture to replace the missing teeth until definitive treatment can be done.  Temporary partial dentures do not fit as well as or as comfortable as the final definitive partial denture that you see above.

When you and Dr. Vuong have determined that all of your teeth need to be removed due to extensive decay or bone loss from gum disease, a special type of denture called an immediate complete denture is made.  Most of the back teeth will be removed first, except the front teeth, and then a denture is made.  Once we have the denture ready, we set up an appointment especially reserved for you to remove the remaining teeth and your denture is delivered.  With this approach, you will never walk out of the office without teeth!

Immediate denture replaces all bad teeth at time of taking them out

Immediate denture is sometimes called a healing, temporary, or transitional denture, as that is its role.  Most of the time, after removal of teeth and delivery of the immediate dentures, your gum tissues will continue to heal and shrink, making your dentures loose, and become uncomfortable.  The teeth may have to be ground down to correct your bite, and you will have to learn to adapt with your new denture.  It is a normal process of immediate dentures.  Sometimes, you will prefer to have a new one made, usually within 6 months to a year, to improve the setup position or color of the teeth.  We will offer to reline your dentures to make them fit more comfortably for you during that time period of healing.

Sometimes a few front teeth need to be removed, an immediate partial denture can be made before removing bad teeth.  It is still considered a temporary partial denture.  That way, the patient walks out of the office with teeth and a new beautiful smile on the day of surgery. 

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but over time may have to be remade, repaired, or re-adjusted due to normal wear.  Even though you don't have any teeth remaining, you should see a dentist periodically to check for other problems with your bite, rocking dentures, and also for cancer screening.

There is another type of complete denture called implant supported overdenture. This type of denture uses implants and attachments as anchors to make your denture fit more tightly into your jawbone.  The denture will snap into place.  If you have found that you need to use adhesive or glue to hold your dentures in place, implant overdentures would be a solution for you!  Not only will they boost your self confidence, knowing that your dentures will be not fall out in public, overdentures can greatly improve the way you speak and chew.

Don't hesitate to ask Dr. Vuong for more options, depending on your needs and circumstances.