Full Dentures vs. Partial Dentures - Which Is Right for You?
When a person is missing a tooth or multiple teeth, it can have a major effect on their overall appearance as well as their dental health. For major tooth loss, one of the best options for restoring the aesthetics of the smile as well as its functionality is a set of dentures. Dentures are artificial sets of teeth that allow patients to bite, chew, and smile with confidence.
There are different kinds of dentures to consider based on your needs. Right now, we would like to consider the differences between full dentures and partial dentures and which one might be best for you and your needs.
About Full Dentures
Full dentures are sets of dentures that are designed to replace all of your on the entire dental arch. Whether it's the upper dental arch or the lower dental arch, the full denture is held in place by bracing onto the existing gum tissue and jawbone structure that remains. The stability/hold of the full denture can be improved through the use of dental adhesive creams.
Ideal Candidates for Full Dentures
The best candidates for full dentures are people who have lost all or nearly all of their teeth. The full dentures will be able to restore functionality in such cases. The patient should have realistic expectations about the treatment process overall.
About Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are dentures that are meant to replace multiple missing teeth if a patient is missing many teeth in a row. They work in a manner just like a full denture: they brace around the jawbone and gum tissue that remains along the patient's dental arch.
Ideal Candidates for Partial Dentures
The best candidates for partial dentures are people who are missing many teeth in a row and are not good candidates for a dental bridge. (Dental bridges work by attaching around existing teeth that are adjacent to a tooth gap; with major tooth loss, a dental bridge is not an option.) As with full dentures, the stability of a partial denture can be improved through the use of dental adhesives.
A Word on Implant-Supported Dentures
Both full dentures and partial dentures can be held in place with dental implants. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into the patient's jawbone and gum tissue. After a months-long healing process, the dental implants will provide a level of stability and strength that is comparable to natural tooth roots, far superior to denture creams.
Candidates for implant-supported dentures will be determined based on their overall health and wellness as well as the amount of gum tissue and bone tissue that is in place along the dental arch. Grafting procedures for bone and gum tissue can be performed, though this can all be discussed during the consultation process.
Making the Best Choices for You and Your Needs
When you stop by our practice, we will be sure to go over all of your options for advanced care. This includes determining if partial dentures or full dentures are more ideal for you, as well as considering special dental appliances such as Fountain Of Youth Dentures, which replace missing teeth and also address issues with facial aesthetics. We want to make sure that you have all the information that you need to make wise, well-informed decisions about your dental health and wellness.
Learn More About Full and Partial Dentures
Dentures may be the right option for you and your needs. To learn more about dentures and many other options out there for the treatment of missing teeth, be sure to contact our San Antonio cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice today. The entire team at our practice looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve the best possible dental health and aesthetics.
