COMPLETE DENTURES
If you have lost, or will be losing, all of your natural teeth in one or both arches, complete dentures might be what's best for you. A complete denture is a removable dental prosthesis that replaces missing teeth while focusing on aesthetics, fit, and function.
There are three types of complete dentures depending on your needs: conventional dentures, immediate dentures, and implant-retained dentures.
Complete conventional dentures (Marine Denture Clinic)
Conventional dentures
Conventional dentures are made after all the teeth in one or both arches have been extracted and the mouth has had time to heal. They are fabricated over a series of approximately 5 appointments, including taking impressions and other measurements, which the denturist will go over with you at the consultation.
Immediate dentures
Immediate dentures are fabricated before your natural teeth are removed and are inserted at the time of extractions. Immediate dentures are a great option for someone who does not want to go through a healing period without teeth, however because there is no try in appointment it is more unpredictable than conventional dentures. Immediate dentures require many post insertion appointments while your mouth is healing and a reline roughly one year after extractions. There are many benefits and disadvantages of choosing immediate dentures vs conventional dentures so make sure to ask lots of questions if this is something you are considering!
Implant-retained dentures
Implant-retained dentures are becoming more and more popular in recent years. Two or more implants are placed in the mouth by a dentist and once the implants have osseointegrated (once your bone has formed a strong bond with the implant) an attachment is either added to your old denture or a new denture is made with attachments in them. This allows the denture to "click" into place and stay there without moving while also remaining removable by the patient for easy cleaning. Implants can be quite expensive but are a great investment in your oral health care, especially for those who have a hard time wearing a lower denture.