Complete and Partial Dentures

A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.

There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it helps prevent other teeth from shifting.

A Complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after teeth have been removed.  These teeth may have been missing for years or may have been recently extracted. When a patient has teeth extracted the gum tissue must heal, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks, prior to beginning the process of making a conventional denture. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and are immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. During the tissues healing process, adjustments will have to be made and once the tissue has healed Dr. Gandhi recommends having a conventional denture made.

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.