Dentures & Partials

If you’re living with missing teeth, you’ve probably noticed some lifestyle changes. You may lack confidence when you speak or smile. Your chewing ability has likely diminished. Additionally, your facial appearance may have changed, sagging in the areas where teeth are not present. A denture or partial can restore your self-confidence and renew oral function. At Cannon Family Dental, we create natural-looking dentures and partials for patients.

Dentures are generally classified as partial or full. Partials are designed to replace a small section of teeth, and help prevent existing healthy natural teeth from shifting position; full dentures generally replace an entire set of teeth, both upper and lower.

A complete set can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.

Unlike conventional sets, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until a conventional set can be made.