When you think of dentures, some of you may be imagining Walter Matthau’s delicate dentures in Dennis the Menace and the DIY “chiclet” gum pieces that his young ward uses to replace the missing teeth. As funny of a scene as this is, these images definitely don’t do any favours winning over those who may require dentures. Luckily, denture-wearers of today have a wide range of choice when it comes to their oral prosthetics!
Full Dentures
Complete or full dentures are the most commonly known type of denture. These are specifically for patients who have had all of their teeth removed. A full set of teeth is built in the lab and custom fit to the patient’s mouth. They are removable and it is recommended that they are taken out each night.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are used when a patient still has some remaining teeth. They work by bridging the prosthetic teeth with your natural ones. Crowns are used as connectors, enabling a whole new set of working teeth. Not only does this fill the empty spaces in a patient’s mouth, but also serves to prevent natural teeth from shifting.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Denture implants connect to an implant in the jaw. Many patients find these to be a more natural-looking and comfortable alternative to traditional dentures. Not all denturists will offer this type of prosthetic. If you are in the Calgary area, check out one of our clinics for dentures with implants.
Within each of these categories there are some elements of variance including material, custom-fit, and cost. While you don’t want to be paying out the nose for dentures, it’s important to realize that you do get what you pay for. The cost and financing options should be affordable, but too inexpensive is a huge red flag for poor quality. For high quality dentures, call the experts at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic for a consultation at 403-254-5000.
