Dentures ‐ Complete, Partials
 At our offices, we provide both complete and partial dentures, which are effective solutions for patients with missing teeth. When you visit Harper Dental for consultation, our dentists will give you an option of either having partial or complete dentures. Although you will have two choices to choose from, we have seen most of our patients having a challenge in making the final decision.
Therefore, it is important to understand the key difference between these two options since it will greatly assist you in making the best decision.
Complete Dentures
Also known as full dentures, complete dentures are recommended for patients who have lost all their teeth or a good percentage of their teeth. We usually give traditional dentures to patients with missing lover and upper teeth. If a patient has some teeth remaining, and they have plans to get them extracted, our dentists will perform the tooth extraction procedure before the patient receives the complete dentures.
Partial Dentures
When you visit our offices for a consultation, you will hear our dentists referring to the partial dentures as partials. These dentures can be a good option for patients who have a good number of healthy teeth remaining in their jaws, and they don't want to get them extracted. Partial dentures are also referred to as fixed bridges. However, they do differ from dental bridges since partials can be removed while bridges cannot.
Fixed dental bridges are attached permanently to the adjacent teeth, which makes them a less preferable choice when compared with partial dentures. On the other hand, partial dentures require an acrylic metal frame, with clasps that hold onto your remaining teeth. As a result, the partial dentures will fill the gaps left after your teeth are extracted.
Can You Wear Dentures Throughout the Entire Day?
Yes, you can wear your dentures during the day - and this applies to both complete and partial dentures. However, you will have to remove them as you sleep to allow your gums to relax. Our experts advise the patients who get partial dentures fixed to sleep with the dentures within the first few days after they get them fixed. This allows the patients to identify the areas that need adjustments.
This is very important after getting same-day dentures since the gum tissues normally swell once the teeth are extracted, and you might not be able to reinsert your dentures once you take them out.
Getting Used to Your New Dentures
Before getting your dentures, it's important to note that you will feel a bit uncomfortable or awkward during the first few months. You might need some practice to speak and eat perfectly when the dentures are in place. A loose or bulky feeling shouldn't worry you since it's common, and it might take a while until your cheek and tongue muscles learn how to hold the dentures in place
Also, it's not uncommon to have an excessive flow of saliva, minor soreness or irritation, and a feeling as if your tongue doesn't have enough space. However, you should visit our dentists the moment you start experiencing irritation.
In addition to this, make sure that you visit one of our dentists here at Harper Dental at (479) 431-0280 for an annual dental checkup. |
