There are several differences between complete and partial dentures. This complete dental guide shows what you need to know.

Over 30% of adult Americans have untreated dental caries.

What's surprising is that millions of adult Americans live with missing teeth, too. Over 36 million Americans have missing teeth, and more than 120 million people are missing at least one of their teeth.

The problem is that missing teeth can contribute to obesity, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and cancer types. If you're missing even one tooth, you shouldn't hesitate to get partial dentures so that you don't run into more significant problems down the road.

Are you wondering what types exist? Keep reading to learn all about partial and complete dentures and the differences between them.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are replacements for lost or missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They can be taken out and put back into one's mouth because they're removable replacements.

While they can take some getting used to, dentures today are more comfortable and naturally appealing than ever before. They won't necessarily feel the same as a person's natural teeth, but they're built to fit into one's mouth with comfort and ease.

There are 2 types of dentures: complete and partial.

What Are Complete Dentures?

There are 2 different types of complete dentures, too. Conventional complete dentures are ready for placement around 8 to 12 weeks following removing a tooth or teeth. Once the gum tissues have begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready to be placed.

However, immediate complete dentures get made in advance and can be placed immediately after the tooth or teeth get removed. The plus side of these is that the individual doesn't have to live without teeth during their healing period.

It's important to note, though, that gums and bones shrink as time progresses, especially following tooth removal and during that initial healing period. Thus, immediate dentures' downfall is that they often require additional adjustments to ensure proper fitting during the healing process.

They're best left as a temporary solution so that the patient doesn't have to live without teeth while they wait for their conventional dentures.

What Are Partial Dentures?

Typically, partial dentures consist of replacement teeth that are attached to a gum-colored plastic base.

Sometimes it's connected by a metal framework to hold the denture in place in one's mouth.

Partial dentures are an excellent option when patients have one or more missing teeth in their lower or upper jaw. A fixed bridge replaces teeth by putting crowns on the teeth on either side of a space. Then, artificial teeth are attached to them.

The bridge gets cemented in place. Partial dentures fill spaces where missing teeth once were, and they also prevent existing teeth from moving around.

Precision partial dentures are removable and have internal attachments instead of clasps that attach to the crowns. It's considered a more natural-looking appliance.

What's the Process?

The goal of dentures is to build a perfect, comfortable fit that benefits your life and keeps your smile happy and healthy. Thus, the process requires several appointments and a few weeks.

First, your dentist will help you determine what type will suit you best. Then, they'll make a series of impressions of your jaw. They'll take measurements and record how much space is between your jaws and how they fit together.

Once impressions are made, the following steps complete the dentures:

Create models, plastic pattern, or wax forms in the exact position and shape of denture(s)
The patient tries models several times while the dentist assesses for shape, fit, and color
The final denture is cast
Any necessary adjustments are made after fitting

For the first few weeks, it's normal for your new teeth to feel loose or strange. The muscles of the tongue and cheeks must learn to keep them in place as the patient becomes comfortable taking dentures in and out.

It's not uncommon to experience minor soreness or irritation, or to experience increased saliva flow. However, any issues quickly diminish as the patient and jaw adjust.

Who Should Get Dentures?

Anyone can get dentures, regardless of age. Once severe tooth pain and decay progress to the point of nerve damage, teeth may need to be removed.

Here are some circumstances which may warrant the need for partial or complete dentures:

You have chronic toothaches
You have swollen, red, and tender gums
You struggle to eat certain foods
You are missing one or more tooth
You have frequent indigestion because you can't chew food properly
You're embarrassed by your smile because of missing or lost teeth
You haven't been going to the dentists every 6 months, and your oral health is suffering

How Much Do Dentures Cost?

The cost of dentures varies depending on the type. For a traditional, full set of dentures, the cost lingers around $1800. For lower cost dentures, patients can expect to pay between $300 and $500 per plate.

For mid-priced dentures, the range is somewhere between $500 and $1,500 per plate. For premium dentures, a complete set can cost up to $8,000.

Luckily, there are plenty of options. Talk to your dentist about what you can afford, what insurance covers, and you should be able to work something out that's cost-effective and gives you the healthy smile you've been waiting for.

Remember to care for your dentures, as doing so will significantly prolong their life.

Talk to Your Dentist About Partial Dentures

If you have any healthy teeth left in your mouth, your dentist will likely steer you in the direction of partial dentures. They can help create a more natural look, and they can be more cost-effective.

Either way, don't wait to see your dentist so that you can give yourself a healthy, comfortable smile you can be proud of. The Tabas Center for Advanced Dentistry in Philadelphia, PA, offers complete and partial denture services.

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