People who lose all of their upper or lower teeth may want to consider full dentures for replacing them.   Implants are the better tooth replacement option, but for people on a budget, they may not be possible in the beginning.  Either dentures or dentures supported by implants will be necessary to provide some type of solution to the problem of missing teeth.

Full dentures allow a person to eat three meals a day, speak clearly while talking, and be able to confidently smile in a way that is presentable to others. 

Before getting dentures, a patient needs to go see a cosmetic dentist to make sure that dentures will work for him or her.  A full dental examination will be needed in order to make this determination.  This examination typically includes taking a set of X-rays to check the condition of the mouth.  The dentist also takes impressions in order to make a full working model of the patients mouth. 

Before concluding the examination, the dentist will then record the positions of the center line and lip line in order to know exactly where to place the new set of dentures.  When all this is finished, the dentist discusses the various types of dentures with the patient and recommends a specific type that will provide the maximum benefit to that person.  Cosmetic dentists even go so far as to help find the very best possible shape and color for full dentures.   

Standard dentures

Standard dentures are intended to use as much surface area in the mouth as possible.  This gives them maximum stability and retention.  Standard dentures extend all the way behind the hard bone in the back of the mouth.  In the majority of cases, they are they are prescribed for people who have already lost all of their teeth. 

Immediate dentures

Immediate dentures are made before natural teeth are extracted.  A person walks in with natural teeth and walks out of the dental office with false teeth.  As cosmetic dentists, we prefer to save existing natural teeth rather than to extract them like this. 

Implant retained dentures

Full dentures that are held in place by implants are the most expensive dentures a person can get.  However, they are also the very best option next to porcelain-crowned dental implants.  This is because the titanium implant acts as an artificial tooth root that prevents the jawbone from receding.   

Overdentures

Overdentures look much like regular dentures, but they work very differently.  They are actually held in place by some of the patients natural teeth.  As a result, overdentures are more stable and feel more natural within your mouth.  Due to the fact that we are able to leave some of the natural teeth in place, the person will lose less jawbone mass as a result.

Dentures offer many benefits to patients who have lost teeth.  The shape of the mouth depends upon a full set of teeth or teeth replacements.  Without them, the lips and cheek cave in and your face starts to prematurely wrinkle.  Full dentures retain the shape of the mouth and maintain the proper function of your jaw muscles.  Dentures with implants will also halt jawbone recession.