A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble natural teeth and many times enhance a person’s smile. There are two types of dentures: complete dentures and partial dentures. Complete dentures are utilized when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. Partial dentures fill the spaces created by missing teeth and help to prevent teeth from shifting.

A complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 6 to 8 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, a final laboratory reline will be performed.