Although no one welcomes a partial or full set of replacement teeth, they help you chew, eat and speak normally and without pain. They also keep any existing teeth you have from drifting out of position, which prevents a range of dental problems. Most important, affordable dentures restore your smile and give you the confidence to show off your pearly whites without feeling self-conscious about missing teeth.

What Types Of Dentures Are There?

There are two types dentures used today, complete and partial. The cost of dentures will in part be determined by which type you choose:

• Complete: These are either “conventional” or “immediate.” Conventional dentures are made after any remaining teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed (usually two to three months).

Immediate dentures are ready for wear the same day any remaining teeth are removed so you don’t have to spend the healing period toothless. The drawback is that you’ll need more adjustments, since your gums and bones shrink during this period.

• Partial: There are two types of partials, removable and fixed. A removable partial (or dental bridge) consists of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base. Removable partials are connected by a metal framework that helps keep them in place.

Fixed partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth by placing a dental crown on each tooth surrounding the space and attaching replacement teeth to the crowns. This bridge is then cemented into place.