Partial or Complete? Pick the Best Denture for You

Since 700 BC, dentures have allowed people with missing teeth to regain their ability to eat and speak properly, as if they've never lost their teeth in the first place. Advances in medical technology have given way to two types of dentures, partial and complete, that provide the same benefits in varying degrees. Picking the appropriate denture largely depends on individual preferences and circumstances.

Partial dentures are removable dental implants that consist of a bridge lined with a gum-colored plastic base which contains the replacement teeth. These dentures are typically recommended for individuals who still have some of their original teeth in their upper or lower jaw, although some adjustments need to be made if a person has lost too many teeth. In such a case, partial dentures may employ a fixed bridge which replaces one or more teeth with artificial ones that resemble the teeth found in the dentures in order to create a more natural appearance.

Complete dentures, meanwhile, are more labor-intensive since they typically involve removing all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. These dentures can be made in advance (known as immediate dentures) just as soon as the teeth are removed, although they should be considered as quick fixes before a more permanent set of dentures (known as conventional dentures) can be installed.