Dentures replace multiple missing teeth, while traditional dentures are held in place by natural forces, implant retained dentures, held by several implants placed in the jaw bone add comfort and stability.
Types of Dentures
There are three types of dentures:
Complete Dentures
Complete or full dentures are only required for people who have lost all or most of the teeth on either of the two arches of the mouth.
Fixed Partial Dentures
Most patients missing only a few teeth opt for fixed partial dentures, also known as “crown and bridge.” These must be precisely installed, especially when in between healthy teeth.
Removable Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures are different from fixed partial dentures in that they are normally only used by people who have lost too many teeth for fixed dentures, but too few for full dentures.
Stability of Dentures
A frequent issue with dentures is their ability to remain in place during usage. This is based on the following factors:
Support
The denture may have a tendency to clasp tighter and tighter to the gums as the mouth chews food. The better the support, the less likely the denture is to move vertically closer to the arch upon which it is situated.
Stability
Movement in the horizontal plane, sometimes described as “slipping” front to back or side to side, can be hazardous to the patient. The quality of a denture base is responsible for preventing movement and maintaining continuous contact with the gums. However, this is heavily dependent on the patient‘s oral anatomy.
Retention
Retention describes the tendency of the denture to move vertically away from the gums, into the lumen of the mouth. The craftsmanship of the denture is tested here, as the better the intaglio or the inside of denture, copies the oral topography, the more effective the seal is.
Maxillary dentures, used for the top teeth, achieve better unification with toothless gums due to the improvement in suction from the smooth surface. However, mandibular dentures, used for the bottom teeth, are much more effective if the patient still retains some teeth.
