False teeth that replace missing or lost teeth naturally
Dentures are false teeth, made mostly of plastic, that replace missing or lost teeth. Tooth loss is not a normal part of aging — saving even a few natural teeth is often better than losing them all. When dentures are needed, today’s modern materials deliver significantly improved fit, appearance, and comfort.
Natural teeth play an important role even when some are missing:
- They help retain bone in the jaw, preventing shrinkage
- They serve as stable supports for bridges, overdentures, or partial dentures
- They distribute chewing forces evenly across the jaw
- They provide nerve feedback for controlled, natural biting
Complete, partial, and overdentures — tailored to your needs
Complete dentures are made for patients who have lost all teeth in an arch. They rest directly on the gum tissue and are custom-made through multiple appointments — typically around five. Learning to chew with complete dentures takes practice and patience.
Partial dentures replace missing teeth while preserving healthy natural teeth. Removable partials use a metal framework with clasps; fixed partial dentures (bridges) are cemented in place and look more natural.
Overdentures retain one or more natural teeth or implants beneath the denture. This preserves bone, improves stability, and gives a better sense of jaw pressure — making them especially beneficial for the lower jaw.
Dentures — your questions answered
Everything about denture types, the process, and what to expect.
Complete dentures — also called “plates” — replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. They rest directly on the gum tissue covering the bone and are custom-made through about five appointments: exam, impressions, bite registration, a “try-in” fitting, and final insertion. Simple actions like speaking and eating may feel different at first; an adjustment period of up to several months is normal.
An overdenture fits over one or more retained natural teeth or dental implants. Selected teeth are shortened after root canal treatment and covered with thin metal copings; the denture snaps over them. Benefits include preserved bone, better denture stability, improved sense of jaw pressure, and easier psychological acceptance. Canines and premolars are most commonly selected. Overdentures can also fit over implants instead of natural roots.
Removable partial dentures use a metal framework with plastic teeth and gum areas, held in place by metal clasps (C-shaped, I-shaped, or Y-shaped) or precision attachments around neighboring teeth. Fixed partial dentures (bridges) are cemented in place, look more natural, and are more expensive — made entirely of porcelain or porcelain over a gold framework. A temporary flipper denture can be placed immediately after extraction until a permanent solution is ready.
Conventional dentures are made and inserted after the teeth are extracted and the gums have fully healed — a process that typically spans four or more appointments over one to two months. Steps include exam and consultation, mouth impressions, bite registration, teeth selection (size influenced by jaw dimensions), a try-in fitting to assess appearance and fit, final insertion, and follow-up visits over the following weeks.
Immediate dentures are made in advance and inserted at the time of tooth extraction, so you are never without teeth while healing. Because gums and bones shrink during healing, immediate dentures require relining (a minimum of four weeks after extraction) to maintain a proper fit. They serve as an interim solution until your conventional permanent denture is completed.
Ready to restore your smile?
Book a dentures consultation with Dr. Bhargav Patel today.
