Finding the Right Dentures for You

At Herald Square Dental & The Denture Center  in New York, we fabricate many different types of dentures to replace missing teeth.

Message from Dr. Ian Pasch

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Denture Choices

• What are dentures?
• What are partial dentures?
• What is a Flexi Partial denture?
• What is an over-denture?
• What is the difference between Conventional dentures and immediate dentures?

What are dentures?

A complete denture is an appliance, or removable prosthetic device, that is inserted in the mouth to replace the natural teeth and provide support for the cheeks and lips. It completely replaces a set of teeth.

Dentures are beneficial in multiple ways:

• Mastication – chewing ability is improved by replacing missing teeth with dentures.
• Aesthetics – dentures not only restore a natural and attractive appearance to the teeth, but can also correct the collapsed exterior of lips and cheeks that occurs after losing teeth.
• Phonetics – by replacing missing teeth, you will be able to better pronounce certain words that require the use of teeth to speak.

Most dentures are made from acrylic and can be fabricated at different times. A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed. An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately following a teeth extraction and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.

An upper denture is acrylic & usually flesh colored that covers the palate (roof of the mouth) & a lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue (i.e., the maxillary [upper] or mandibular [lower] arch). The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain, or a combination of both.

What are partial dentures?

Partial dentures are dentures that replace only a few missing teeth.

What is a Flexi Partial denture?

A flexi partial denture is more fracture resistant, flexible acrylic without using metal clips for improved aesthetics.

What is an over-denture?

Over-dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically-treated teeth or over dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance or prosthetic device.

A quality upper denture is often stable without slippage because the palate often provides suction. The lower full denture is typically more complex because there is no “suction” holding it in place like the upper denture. For this reason, there is a general consensus that a lower full denture should be supported by two to four implants placed in the lower jaw. A lower denture supported by implants is a far more secure placement than without implants. Without implants, the denture is only held in place with weak lower mouth muscles. With a lower denture secured with implants, the patients should be able to bite into an apple. Without implants, it will be difficult or impossible to do so.

Over a normal course of time, dentures will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to extraction of the teeth. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.

What is the difference between Conventional dentures and immediate dentures?

Conventional dentures are dentures that are made and placed after the remaining teeth are removed and the tissues have healed.

Immediate Dentures are dentures that are placed immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. Anywhere between 9 and 15 months after placement of immediate dentures, shrinkage and changes in shape of the underlying bone and gum will necessitate additional dental treatment. If one to two teeth were extracted prior to the immediate denture insertion, generally a reline will reestablish proper fit and retention. Ideally, if more than two teeth were extracted, a new denture should be fabricated 9-15 months after those extractions and immediate denture placement. During the 15 months of healing, denture relines temporarily compensate for the ongoing shrinkage and add stability to the denture. Once again, when shrinkage is complete, a new denture is advisable.

For more information, contact the top providers of dental implants and dentures in NYC at Herald Square Dental today. Call, Herald Square Dental Phone Number (212) 689-0024 or 877-Den-ture, and we will be happy to talk with you.