Types of Dentures Explained | Walnut Creek Dental

Whether you’re missing one tooth, a couple of teeth, or most of your teeth, a set of dentures from Dr. Michael Pappas and the dentists at Walnut Creek Dental may be right for you. At our office, we use the latest digital design techniques, 3D scans, and decades of combined expertise to create natural, comfortable, and realistic dentures.

Still, you may have questions about getting dentures at our Groveport, OH office. After all, we offer a variety of different options including partials, complete dentures, implant-supported dentures, and even temporaries to keep you smiling after tooth extraction. So in this guide, we’ll break down what you need to know about all of your different options for tooth replacement with dentures.

What Are Dentures? Explaining The Basics

Dentures are the oldest and most well-known option for replacing missing teeth. In fact, dentures made of gold and animal teeth were used as early as 700 B.C by the Etruscan people of Italy.

Dentures consist of one or more false teeth, which are usually made out of either acrylic resin or porcelain. These teeth attach to a base that fits over your gums, your remaining teeth, or even attaches to a set of dental implants.

In turn, this base holds the false teeth in place, filling the gap in your smile and restoring your appearance. More than that, though, dentures also restore the natural function of your teeth. You’ll be able to chew and eat all of your favorite foods, speak clearly without worrying about slurring your words, and prevent further complications like teeth shifting after tooth loss.

And though their history may go back centuries, today’s dentures are far from old-fashioned. Thanks to advances in digital smile design, 3D oral scanning, and material science, today’s dentures are more flexible, comfortable, and lifelike than ever. This is especially true when you see an expert like Dr. Pappas or one of the other dentists at Walnut Creek Dental.

Understanding The Importance of Dentures

Wondering why you should restore your smile with a set of dentures in Groveport, OH from our team? Here are a few of the reasons why replacing missing teeth with partial or full dentures is so important.

• Love your smile again – Firstly and perhaps most importantly, dentures help you restore your smile after you’ve lost your teeth. Tooth loss is associated with much lower overall self-confidence and can negatively affect other people’s impression of you, too. With a set of custom-crafted cosmetic dentures from Walnut Creek Dental, you can smile, laugh, and show off your smile with confidence once again.
• Eat all of your favorite foods – Along with cosmetic benefits, dentures have important functional benefits, too. With custom-fitted dentures, it’s easy to bite, chew, and eat all of your favorite foods. Forget applesauce, smoothies, and other soft foods. From fresh vegetables to crusty bread and even steak, nothing will be off the menu once you get your new smile from our team.
• Speak clearly and confidently – Depending on how many teeth you’ve lost and their location, you may have trouble speaking clearly due to tooth loss. This is especially true if you’ve lost some of your front teeth. But with dentures, you’ll be able to speak confidently without worrying about sounding “slushy,” slurring your words, or having difficulties forming certain sounds.
• Support your jaw and facial structure – Another cosmetic benefit of dentures is that they help add more structure to your jaw and face. When you lose teeth and don’t replace them, your cheeks and lips will start to sag and shrink, leading to changes in your facial structure. With a set of dentures, you can reverse this and feel better about your overall appearance.

Types of Dentures – Your Options For Tooth Replacement

Now that you know a little bit about dentures and their benefits, it’s time to discuss your options for restoring your smile at Walnut Creek Dental. From patients with just a few missing teeth to full-mouth restorations, we offer a wide variety of dentures that can fit into your lifestyle, schedule, and budget.

Partial Dentures

As the name suggests, partial dentures are used to replace one or more missing teeth. They are the preferred option when you still have some healthy natural teeth remaining. This is because partial dentures use a metal and/or plastic framework that clips onto your natural teeth.

This framework holds one or more false teeth in place, restoring the overall shape, function, and appearance of your smile. Partial dentures are sometimes used temporarily, but high-quality models are a viable long-term alternative to dental bridges and dental implants, especially for patients who may be on a tight budget.

Complete (Full) Dentures

Complete dentures, also sometimes called “full” dentures, are used to replace the upper, lower, or both rows (arches) of teeth. They are only recommended for patients who have extensive tooth loss or lots of damaged teeth. This is because complete dentures replace all of your teeth and require any remaining teeth to be extracted before they can be fitted and placed.

This type of denture uses a gum-colored acrylic base that fits tightly over your gums, and supports a full set of upper, lower, or both arches of teeth. If you have extensive oral health issues and need a fast, cost-effective way to restore your smile, complete dentures are usually the best choice.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures blend the stability of dental implants with the whole-mouth restoration of complete dentures. Similar to complete dentures, this treatment replaces the entire upper, lower, or both arches of teeth.

But unlike traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures don’t just fit over your gums. They attach to a set of 4-6 dental implants. These implants are surgically inserted into your jawbone, where they heal and bond permanently with the bone structure. Dentures supported by implants provide unbeatable stability and a more natural, lifelike look and feel.

Depending on the treatment technique that’s used, a set of implant-supported dentures may be removable by patients at home, or may be permanently fixed in place and only removable by a dentist. Each type has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to discuss your options with your dentist at Walnut Creek Dental. 

Immediate/Temporary Dentures

Immediate and temporary dentures are usually used to replace a set of teeth immediately after tooth extraction, or an implant-supported denture treatment like All-On-4. They are pre-fitted so that they can be placed immediately and restore your smile right away.

These teeth let you smile and chew while your mouth heals from tooth extraction or dental implants. However, temporary dentures are not usually as comfortable, long-lasting, or as durable as permanent dentures.

This means you’ll need to follow some special care steps to keep them in good shape as you heal and recover. And once your mouth has healed from your surgery, you’ll be able to come back to Walnut Creek Dental to be fitted for your permanent set of teeth.

Denture Adhesives – Strengthening The Bond To Your Gums

Complete dentures are meant to stay in place by fitting tightly over your gums, and partial dentures fit over your gums and attach to healthy teeth with a metal framework. With a properly-fitted, high-quality set of dentures from Walnut Creek Dental, your teeth will typically be held tightly in place by friction, and there will be no need for any other products.

However, denture adhesive can still be useful in some cases. For example, if you know you’ll be eating lots of hard-to-chew foods or you want to make sure your teeth don’t shift at all during a big meeting or public speaking event, adhesives give you a little bit more peace of mind.

Denture adhesives are specially designed, non-toxic products that are meant to help your dentures hold onto your gums and teeth more strongly. This enhances overall denture stability and comfort.

The biggest drawback of using denture adhesives is that they require a bit more effort to clean off of your dentures and your gums at the end of the day. Still, they are definitely worth using if you need a little bit more support and want to make sure your dentures stay tightly fixed in place.

Types of denture adhesives explained

There are hundreds of denture adhesive products available from dozens of different brands. Not sure which one is right for you? There are minor differences between each product, of course, but denture adhesives usually fall into one of the following three categories.

• Adhesive paste – This is probably the type of adhesive you’re the most familiar with. It comes in a tube, similar to toothpaste, and is applied by squeezing it right into your dentures. It’s a bit messy and can ooze out of your dentures if you use too much, but adhesive paste typically has the strongest hold and lasts the longest, too.
• Adhesive strips – Denture adhesive strips are mess-free and super easy to apply. However, they're more expensive than other types of adhesive, and may require you to cut or tear them into shape if your dentures are larger (or smaller) than average.

• Adhesive powder – Sprinkled into dentures before applying them to your gums, adhesive powder provides a tight hold without too much mess. However, it can be tricky to apply properly and doesn’t usually last quite as long as adhesive paste, usually only working for about 12 hours.

Comparing Dentures Vs. Implants – The Pros & Cons

If you’re exploring multiple options for tooth replacement in Groveport, OH, you may be wondering if you should choose dentures or dental implants. After all, both procedures can restore the natural beauty of your smile and the natural function of your teeth.

While it’s best to consult with a dentist to choose the right option for your unique needs, it can still be helpful to know the differences between each treatment. So in this section of our guide, we’ll take a quick look at the pros and cons of dentures vs. implants.

Denture pros

• Most affordable option for replacing one or more missing teeth
• Usually covered by insurance up to applicable plan limits
• Less invasive, especially if you don’t need additional tooth extractions
• Beautiful, lifelike results with modern materials and treatment techniques
• You can typically get a new smile within 1-2 months

Denture cons

• Requires some adjustment to get used to chewing and speaking
• Not as stable or strong as dental implants
• Does not protect the underlying jaw from bone loss (resorption)
• Much shorter lifespan compared to implants, which means more frequent replacements
• High maintenance requirements compared to dental implants

Dental implant pros

• Extremely natural appearance that’s nearly indistinguishable from real teeth
• Lasts 30+ years and up to a lifetime with proper care
• Implant crowns, bridges, or dentures are firmly anchored and will never slip or move
• Stimulates and supports the jawbone to prevent bone resorption
• Requires minimal special care, especially for single-tooth implants

Dental implant cons

• Much more expensive than dentures on a per-tooth basis
• Not covered by most dental insurance plans
• Requires surgery to place the implant, plus a 3-6 month healing period
• Patients must have a strong jawbone or undergo bone grafting to qualify for implants

Choosing Between Dentures And Implants – What’s Right For You?

Still not sure if you should choose to restore your smile with a set of dentures, or if a treatment like single-tooth implants, implant-supported bridges, or implant dentures may be a better option? Here’s a quick overview of what treatment might be right for you.

• Dentures for a fast, budget-friendly solution – Whether you’re opting for complete dentures or partials, a set of affordable dentures may be a better option for you if you’re on a tight budget. Dentures also let you skip the long healing and waiting period that’s required for dental implants, which some patients prefer.
• Dental implants for the best long-term results – If you have a bigger budget for restorative care and you want the most natural, long-lasting, and functional results, dental implants are typically a better option. At our office, we offer financing options to ensure that treatment costs don’t stop you from getting the dental care you need.

Deciding between dentures and dental implants is a big decision, which is why it’s best to consult with an experienced dentist at Walnut Creek Dental. During your visit to our office, your dentist can break down the pros and cons of each option, discuss costs and financing, and help you make the right choice for your lifestyle and oral health.

Explore Dentures And Other Tooth Replacements At Our Office

At Walnut Creek Dental, Dr. Pappas and our team of dentists specialize in restorative dentistry. Whether you’re interested in dentures in Groveport, OH or you’d like to explore other options like dental bridges or dental implants, our team is here to help. We offer expert advice, transparent pricing, and honest input on the best option for both your short-term and long-term oral health.

So don’t wait. If you’re ready to replace your missing teeth and start smiling proudly again, we’re just a click or a call away. Get in touch now at (614) 864-2466 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at Walnut Creek Dental and take the first steps toward a brighter, healthier, and more functional smile.