For many decades, dentures had been the only suitable option for replacement of all or multiple missing teeth. Nowadays, dental implants and bridges provide us with other fixed solutions for teeth replacement.

Dentures are still commonly used for replacing missing teeth and their benefits include:

• Low cost
• Easy to clean
• Can usually be modified and added to easily
• Easily repaired

Full Dentures

     Full upper and lower dentures

• Quick replacement of a full arch of teeth
• Can be a permanent or temporary solution
• Made of acrylic
• Upper denture relies on suction for stability
• Lower denture relies on your cheeks, tongue and lips for support

Partial Dentures

     Partial cobalt chrome denture

     Partial acrylic dentures

• Used to replace multiple missing teeth in the arch
• Rely on the support of remaining teeth for stability
• Teeth are acrylic and supported by either an acrylic base or cobalt chrome metal framework
  • Acrylic base is thicker than cobalt chrome but costs less
  • Cobalt chrome base has a more accurate fit and better quality clasps but costs more
• Your dentist is the best person to advise which type of partial denture is best for you

Drawbacks of full and partial dentures

• Not as stable as fixed replacement options
• Can be bulky
• Less chewing ability compared to natural teeth and fixed replacement options
• Sometimes clasps that hold the denture in are visible
• Can lead to deterioration of supporting teeth