Dr Michael B Lewis

  

Dentures are removable plates that replace missing teeth.

 

They can replace anything from one missing tooth to a whole arch. Dentures can be used as temporary tooth-replacement during the healing phases of implant restoration, or the final restoration itself. Dentures are removable – this means they can be removed for cleaning.

 

Partial dentures replace one or a few teeth. They can be made entirely out of plastic, or plastic with a metal framework.  They use rests and clasps that wrap around adjacent teeth to hold them in place.

 

Complete dentures replace an entire arch of teeth. They rest solely on your gums and oral tissues:

• An upper complete denture is retained by creating a suction-seal around the periphery of the denture and rests on your hard palate.

• A lower complete denture rests solely on your residual gums. 

 

Lower complete dentures have a much smaller “footprint” than an upper complete denture, and presence of the tongue means we cannot create suction inside the denture. 

 

Clinical studies suggest that a traditional lower complete denture is generally not a satisfactory solution to replace missing lower teeth. Improvements in nutrition and general health are noted when two or more implants are used to retain a lower denture.

 

The quality of dentures variesgreatly between clinics. A well-made denture is based on a good understanding of anatomy, good lab support and appropriate use of dental materials.