Dentures

What are dentures?

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available – complete and partial. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

Complete dentures

Complete dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.

Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period. To fit properly, immediate dentures will need more adjustments compared with conventional dentures. Immediate dentures should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.

Partial dentures

A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base. This base is usually connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. There are also materials available that allow the partial denture to be made without a metal framework. This option should be discussed with your dentist. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A fixed (permanent) partial denture replaces one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. This “bridge” is then cemented into place. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position.

What are inlays/inlays or indirect fillings?

Indirect fillings are similar to composite or tooth-colored fillings except that they are made in a dental laboratory and require two visits before being placed. Indirect fillings are considered when you don’t have enough tooth structure remains to support a filling, but your tooth is not so severely damaged that it needs a crown.

During the first visit, decay or an old filling is removed. An impression is taken to record the shape of the tooth being repaired and the teeth around it. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory that makes the indirect filling. A temporary filling (described below) is placed to protect the tooth while your restoration is being made. During the second visit, the temporary filling is removed, and the dentist checks the fit of the indirect restoration. If the fit is acceptable, it will be permanently cemented into place.

There are two types of indirect fillings – inlays and onlays. 

• Inlays are similar to fillings but the entire work lies within the cusps (bumps) on the chewing surface of the tooth. 
• Onlays are more extensive than inlays, covering one or more cusps. Onlays are sometimes called partial crowns. 

Inlays and onlays are more durable and last much longer than traditional fillings – up to 30 years. They can be made of tooth-colored composite resin, porcelain or gold. Inlays and onlays weaken the tooth structure, but do so to a much lower extent than traditional fillings.

Another type of inlay and onlay – direct inlays and onlays – follow the same processes and procedures as the indirect, the difference is that direct inlays and onlays are made in the dental office and can be placed in one visit. The type of inlay or onlay used depends on how much sound tooth structure remains and cosmetic concerns.