Serving both Nassau and Suffolk County, Dr. Elliot and Dr. Nick at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry believe there’s no reason to live with missing teeth when dentures are a fast, affordable option.
Types of dentures
Dentures are removable false teeth designed to replace a single tooth all the way up to a complete set of teeth. Over the years, dentures have been made from solid gold, brass, ivory from hippos and elephants, porcelain, metal rivets and even wood. Dentures have evolved tremendously over the years, and it’s now possible to have a complete set of perfectly aligned replacement teeth that are as strong, functional and as natural-looking as your original teeth.
The three types of dentures:
- Conventional dentures are either full or partial. Complete dentures are removable and replace a full set of teeth on either the upper arch (the maxillary arch) or the lower arch (the mandibular arch) or both. They have an acrylic mouthpiece which adheres to the gums and roof of your mouth and must be precisely fitted to create proper suction to keep the mouthpiece in place. Removable partial dentures are for patient’s existing teeth.
Partial dentures attach to a patient’s existing teeth with clips and have a gum-colored plastic base which blends with the existing gums. Fixed partial dentures or bridges are made from crowns that are fitted on the remaining teeth. Constructed of materials closely matching the existing teeth, they “bridge” the gap between teeth to create a smooth attractive appearance. Fixed bridges are more stable than removable dentures but are more costly.The flexible partial denture is a popular solution which doesn’t use metal clips to stay in place. It’s more costly than a standard denture but its nylon mouthpiece is comfortable and virtually undetectable in public.
- Immediate or temporary dentures are sometimes called same day dentures because a patient can have a damaged or diseased tooth removed and have its pre-fitted replacement cemented into place that day. At a later visit, the temporary tooth can be replaced with a more stable, longer lasting partial denture.
- Overdentures are replacement teeth anchored in place by titanium implants. They combine strength and stability giving you confidence that your dentures will stay firmly in place in all situations. For someone who has suffered the embarrassment of missing most or all of their teeth, overdentures promise a new found quality of life.
During your in-office consultation and examination, Dr. Elliot or Dr. Nick will discuss which denture options make the most sense for you.