Breaking down the types, benefits, and care tips for dentures.
If you’re missing teeth—whether one, a few, or all—dentures are one of the most affordable and accessible solutions. But when you visit your dentist, you might hear various terms thrown around: full dentures, immediate dentures, snap-on dentures, partial dentures…
It can be confusing!
That’s why I created this guide—to break it all down and help you understand exactly what your options are. By the end of this post, you’ll be able to communicate confidently with your dentist and choose the right denture for your needs.
TYPES OF DENTURES AND WHO NEEDS THEM
1. Full Dentures (Complete Dentures)
If you’ve lost all your teeth on the top, bottom, or both, full dentures (also called complete dentures) are the go-to option. These dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth, replacing an entire arch of missing teeth and rest on your gums.
Upper denture covers the roof of your mouth for added suction, and lower denture rests on your lower jaw and are generally less stable. Most patients adapt well to dentures, but in case they don’t, denture adhesive is used to provide additional support.
Since lower dentures often move more, some patients opt for snap-on dentures (which we’ll discuss later) to improve stability.
Dentures provide 30–50% of the chewing power of natural teeth.
Now, what if you still have some teeth left? That’s where partial dentures come in.
2. Partial Dentures (For When You Still Have Some Teeth)
Not missing all your teeth? Then, partial dentures might be the best fit! These dentures replace multiple missing teeth while keeping your natural ones intact.
Types of Partial Dentures
Now, let’s break it down further. There are three main types of partial dentures:
- Acrylic Partial Denture (Flipper Denture) – A temporary option for short-term use for patients planning on getting implants or waiting for healing after extractions. They work as a great placeholder for a few months to a year, since they have metal clips but are not very strong.
- Flexible Partial Denture – Made from a bendable material with flexible clips, making them more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Also, they are a more durable, long-term option than acrylic dentures.
- Cast Metal Partial Denture – This is the strongest and most stable type of partial denture, featuring a metal base that grips your teeth and gums. However, getting this type of denture is not highly recommended due to its material, which consists of a cobalt chromium alloy metal framework and acrylic resin teeth that might contain BPA or monomer.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution that can help maintain your bite alignment and prevent remaining teeth from shifting, go for either flexible dentures or cast metal partial dentures. To find out more about which partial denture to get, click here.
3. Transitional Dentures(For People Not Ready for Full Dentures Yet)
If you’re planning to get dental implants in the future but need a temporary solution, transitional dentures may be ideal, as they are used while your mouth heals after tooth extractions.
This is a lesser-known option, but it can be a great choice in specific cases.
Let’s say you only have one to four weak teeth left. You’re not quite ready for a full denture yet, but you also don’t want to spend money on a partial denture only to need a full denture later.
What’s the Solution?
A transitional denture or temporary full denture that keeps your last few natural teeth for as long as possible. Once those teeth become loose or need removal, your dentist can simply convert the transitional denture into a full denture by adding artificial teeth.
This option saves you from having to pay for both a partial denture and a full denture later.
Why Not Just Modify a Partial Denture? Because flexible partial dentures CANNOT be converted into full dentures.
Who Should Consider a Transitional Denture?
- If you have a few weak teeth left but want to keep them for a few more years.
- If you’re not mentally or physically ready for full dentures.
- If you want an affordable and flexible way to transition into full dentures over time.
4. Immediate Dentures
What if you need teeth removed but don’t want to be toothless?
Immediate dentures provide an instant solution! These dentures are placed right after extractions, so you leave the dental office with teeth the same day.
Things to Know About Immediate Dentures:
- They act as a bandage for your gums during the healing process, and over time, they may become loose as your gums shrink, so they require adjustments or a replacement with a permanent denture later.
- They are made before tooth/teeth extraction just to ensures the patient isn’t toothless while waiting for healing or permanent dentures/implants, So individuals needing a full mouth extraction give their impressions before extraction process and the lab removes the teeth from the model and creates the denture and after extraction, the denture is placed immediately.
- Limitations:
- Fit is often inaccurate due to gum swelling and healing.
- May require relining or adjustments.
- Not a permanent solution—used for 1-2 months until permanent dentures/implants are ready.
Key Considerations
- Immediate dentures are a temporary solution, but help maintain appearance during healing.
- Denture fit may change as gums heal, requiring adjustments.
- Snap-on dentures offer better stability at a lower cost than full implants.
- Choosing the right denture depends on individual needs, budget, and long-term dental plans
Alright, guys, I know this is getting a little complex, so let’s simplify things.
The bottom line is that if you’re getting immediate dentures, they’re usually temporary, and you will need to replace them with a permanent option down the line. So make sure to factor that into your cost calculations.
If you’re undergoing a big case, like extracting all or most of your teeth, immediate dentures are not a permanent solution. You have two choices:
- Go without teeth for a month while your gums heal before making your permanent dentures.
- Pay for two sets of dentures—one immediate and one permanent—but try negotiating a better deal with your dentist for both.
How Long Until Permanent Teeth?
It depends:
- For full-mouth extractions: At least 1-2 months for healing, plus another 1-2 months to craft your permanent dentures. So, expect a 3-5 month process.
- For dental implants: You’re looking at 3-9 months, or even up to a year if you need bone grafting. Healing time is a major factor.
5. Over-Dentures or Snap-On Dentures
If you want a denture that feels more secure but isn’t as expensive as full dental implants, snap-on dentures (also called overdentures) are a fantastic option. These attach to dental implants placed in your jaw, providing extra stability. Patients without any natural teeth, those struggling with loose, uncomfortable full dentures.
They are of two types
Snap-On Dentures (Implant-Retained Dentures) – Also called removable implant dentures, these attach to implants using special snap-on attachments providing improved stability over traditional dentures but still rest on the gums.
Snap-On (Implant-Supported) Dentures – These are more securely attached to at least 4 to 6 implants, providing a stronger hold. Overdentures distribute bite force more evenly, reducing gum irritation and can be fixed (permanent) or removable, depending on the system used.
Benefits of Snap-On Dentures:
- No need for messy denture adhesives
- Improved chewing and speaking ability
- More comfortable and secure fit
- Can be removed for cleaning
- Secured onto 2, 3, or 4+ implants for improved stability.
- More comfortable than traditional dentures.
- Still removable but less bulky than standard dentures.
No matter which denture you get one utmost necessity is taking good care of your dentures and oral hygiene to prevent any infections at Ola Fresh our goal is to provide for a holistic solution for deep cleaning of dental appliance that doesnt erode your appliance over time, so our cleaning solution is effective on dentures yet gentle.
I hope you’re now thorough with the types and you know which one’s the best for you, so what are you waiting for? If you really need dentures, book an appointment with your dentist and get them as soon as possible rather than struggling every day.
