Removable Dentures (Complete Dentures or Partial Dentures)

No more missing teeth!

Dentures are commonly called false teeth or artificial teeth. Dentures are prosthetic replacements for any amount of missing teeth. Dentures can be made to replace one tooth or many teeth.

(See What Happens If I Lose A Tooth? for details)

Dentures can be made for either the maxillary (upper) or mandibular (lower) arches. Dentures rely on the hard and soft tissues of the mouth for stability. Any remaining teeth can be used for additional support and retention.

Here are some reasons to consider dentures:

• Chewing ability, or mastication, is improved by replacing missing teeth by providing more chewing surfaces.
• Esthetics of a smile is improved as the denture can fill unwanted dark spaces. Dentures also provide support for the lips and cheeks maintain a youthful appearance.
• Pronunciation of words and general speech ability improves when the tongue has more teeth to contact.
• Self-esteem and confidence improve as smiling cosmetics is restored.
• Prevent unwanted tooth movements (tooth drifting, tooth supraeruption) by maintaining a balanced plane of teeth
• Temporary replacement of missing teeth while a dental implant heals.

Due to individual differences in jaw physiology, it is important to have routine evaluation of the tissue and bone under dentures. Denture adjustments and maintenance greatly improve denture fit and help maintain a healthy mouth. Adjusting a denture base, adjusting denture teeth, repairing broken denture teeth, and denture relines (to improve denture fitting) are common denture maintenance procedures.

Dental implants are used in pairs to improve denture retention, stability, and support (2, 4, 6, or 8 implants beneath the overdenture).

Incorrect denture use leads to increased complexity and cost of dental care and potentially life-threatening infection.

If you have one missing tooth or many missing teeth, speak to your dentist about how dentures can improve your life!