Types of Upper Dentures

Dentures are false teeth people use after losing one or more natural teeth. There are several types of dentures like complete, partial, upper and crowns. Dentures that are made to replace teeth in the upper jaw are called upper dentures. Your dentist should be able to advise you, which type of denture is best suited to your needs. Types of upper dentures are complete, partial, immediate, over dentures and implant-retained.

Complete or Conventional Upper Dentures

• Complete upper dentures are meant to replace all of the teeth in your upper jaw, and they are supported directly by the upper jaw bone. In cases that involve tooth extraction, complete dentures can be worn only after the gum has completely healed. The comfort of such dentures is dependent on saliva, muscle, tongue and bones, says the Consumer's Research Council of America.

Partial Upper Dentures

• Partial dentures are used in cases where only a few teeth are missing, and the remaining healthy teeth can be saved. Partials sometimes use a metal clasp that holds the natural teeth for support. The major benefits of partial dentures are that they prevent the remaining natural teeth from shifting, helping maintain tooth alignment and rectifying gaps.

Over Dentures

• Over dentures are basically a temporary appliance that use one or more natural teeth or their remnant for support, and therefore not all natural teeth are extracted. Over dentures are usually more stable because the natural root of the teeth gives vertical support to the false teeth, but they can be more expensive. One of the most common types of over denture is a crown that is placed over teeth that have undergone root canal, says medhelp.org.

Immediate Upper Dentures

• Upper dentures that are placed right after extractions and other surgical procedures are called immediate dentures. Immediate dentures are useful because they protect the exposed tissue and aid in chewing without hindering the healing process. During the healing process, bones and tissues take about six months to shrink and stabilize. Therefore immediate dentures need adjustments a few times before a perfect fit is achieved, according to Star Teeth Whitening.

Implant-Retained Upper Dentures

• Implant-retained dentures act like over dentures, but they use an implant as a support instead of the natural bone. Generally more than two implants are required to support these dentures, and tend to be expensive. Implant-retained dentures can be shaped as an arch instead of covering the entire palate, which is sometimes useful for people who cannot wear full dentures.