For many patients a partial or full denture is the treatment recommended by their doctor. The following is a brief description of each of the main types of these appliances.

Partial Dentures

Temporary Acrylic Partials - Made entirely from acrylic plastic, these partials are useful for patients who have either lost or will lose teeth to gum disease. They can be made before loose or severely decayed teeth are removed and placed in the mouth immediately after the extractions, so the patient will not have to go toothless during the healing process. It is also possible to add teeth to this type of partial should the need for more extractions arise after it has been made. They can be made with or without clasps to attach them to the remaining healthy teeth and are usually used until a more long-term solution for the dental problems can be found.

Cast Partials - Made with a cast metal framework for strength, these partials are made for patients who are missing several teeth, but whose remaining teeth are healthy and solid in the bone. They are designed to be useful to the patient who cannot use permanent fixed bridges and may last many years with proper care and good hygiene. They can be made with clasps to attach them to the remaining healthy teeth or with precision attachments which attach to specially-designed crowns made for the remaining teeth. This results in a "cosmetic partial" with no clasps showing.

Flexible Partials - Made from a flexible nylon-type material, these partials are useful as an alternative to the cast partial described above. They are cosmetic because no metal is used and can be more comfortable due to their flexibility.

Full Dentures

Standard Dentures - These appliances can be separated into two types:

Edentulous - Made for patients who are missing all natural teeth and who have healed completely from the extractions.

Immediate - Made for patients before the last of the remaining natural teeth are extracted, so the patient will not have to go toothless during the healing process. They are placed in the mouth at the same appointment as the extractions and the fee includes six months of follow-up care, which includes all necessary adjustments for proper fit and comfort.

Premium Dentures - These are made with a premium grade of denture teeth and denture base for the patient missing all natural teeth and a desire for the highest quality and appearance. An added feature is the second back-up denture which is included in the fee.

Implant-supported Dentures - These dentures are made for the patient who desires a denture which can be attached to implanted titanium tooth roots, which provides a much higher level of retention in the mouth and gives the feel of more natural chewing. The multi-step process may include extractions of remaining natural teeth, placement of several implants into the bony ridges of the jaw, and the fabrication of a precision attachment denture. In some cases, it may be possible to utilize existing implants. This can be determined by your doctor.