Complete Dentures

As the word “complete” suggests, a complete set of dentures refers to a full array of false teeth that are designed to function as your missing teeth on the upper or lower jaw. They are designed to take the place of your real teeth, functioning in much the same manner. They enable you to bite, chew, and talk normally.

Two types of complete dentures are available – immediate and conventional. For proper fitting, both styles require that all of the teeth in the jaw are missing. Therefore, if you still have one or two teeth left, you will need to have them extracted prior to your fitting.

Immediate dentures are less expensive, but they are also more difficult for some patients to get used to wearing. Many dentists consider this style of denture to be a temporary fix. However, due to the financial savings over the conventional style, this type is more affordable for many patients. They are called “immediate” dentures simply because they can be worn right away by the patient so he does not need to go without teeth. Immediate dentures are prefabricated, so they are not designed to fit the patient’s mouth perfectly. Therefore, adjustments are typically made several times to create a good fit. This is partly due to the fact that the gums and supporting bone structure of the jaw are still healing and reshaping themselves. Once the healing process has ended, the need for adjustments goes away unless other problematic issues arise such as periodontal disease.

Styled to fit the patient’s mouth perfectly, conventional dentures are created from an impression that is taken of the patient’s mouth/jaw. The impression isn’t taken until after the gums have healed properly from any tooth extractions that were necessary. Conventional (traditional) dentures are crafted from acrylic. They can be removed from the mouth each night, and so, a special bonding material must be used to keep them in place securely. It takes approximately two to four (2-4) weeks for a dental patient to go through the process to receive their complete set of dentures. It is important to realize that some patients might experience the need to have their complete set of dentures adjusted slightly for a better fit.

Many of today’s patients prefer a fixed style of complete dentures, so that they can avoid the need to use a bonding material to secure them. This style of dentures is referred to as implant dentures or implant-supported dentures. It involves the use of titanium posts that have been secured in the jaw to hold the dentures in place.