What Are Your Options for False Teeth?

If you are missing several or all of your natural teeth, you may be wondering what type of false teeth will work best for you. There is no single option that is right for everyone. The number of teeth you need to replace, your remaining natural teeth, your comfort preferences, and your budget can all play a role in choosing a denture solution.

At Smile Again Dentures, our denturists provide full dentures and partial dentures for patients from Lewiston, Auburn, Brunswick, ME, and surrounding communities. Understanding the differences between your options can help you feel more prepared when it is time to discuss your needs with a denture care provider.

Full Dentures

Full dentures, sometimes called complete dentures, replace an entire upper or lower set of missing teeth. They are custom-made to fit your mouth and can help restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile with greater confidence.

Pros of full dentures:

●  Replace an entire row of missing teeth

●  Can improve the appearance of your smile

●  Help restore everyday functions such as chewing and speaking

●  Can be adjusted as your mouth changes over time

Things to consider:

●  New false teeth require an adjustment period

●  The fit can change over time as your mouth naturally changes

●  Periodic denture adjustments or relines may be needed to maintain comfort and function

For someone who needs to replace all of the teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, full dentures may provide a practical solution.

Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures are designed to be placed immediately at the same appointment as the teeth are extracted. They provide patients with false teeth during the healing process instead of requiring them to go without teeth while waiting for a conventional denture.

Pros of immediate dentures:

●  Provide replacement teeth during the healing period

●  Allow you to begin adapting to dentures sooner

●  Help maintain the appearance of your smile while your mouth heals

Things to consider:

●  Your mouth can change considerably during healing

●  Temporary relines and additional adjustments may be necessary

●  A final reline will be needed after healing is complete, which is about a year after extractions or bone spur removal

Because every person heals differently, your denturist can explain what to expect and how your immediate dentures may need to be adjusted along the way.

Acrylic Partial Dentures

If you still have healthy natural teeth, you may not need a full denture. Partial dentures are designed to replace only the teeth that are missing while working alongside your remaining teeth.

An acrylic partial uses an acrylic base to support the replacement teeth. This can be a practical choice for people looking to fill gaps in their smile without replacing teeth that are failing slowly but steadily.

Pros of acrylic partial dentures:

●  Replace one or several missing teeth

●  Allow you to keep your remaining natural teeth

●  Removable for cleaning

●  Can help improve chewing, speaking, and the appearance of your smile

●  Typically have a lower starting cost than metal framework partials

Things to consider:

●  Acrylic can feel bulkier than a metal framework

●  The partial may require adjustments as your mouth changes

●  Like other false teeth, it takes time to become comfortable wearing and using a new partial

For many patients in Lewiston, Auburn, and Brunswick, ME, acrylic partial dentures offer a straightforward way to replace missing teeth while preserving the natural teeth they still have.

Metal Framework Partial Dentures

Metal framework partial dentures also replace some, rather than all, missing teeth. Instead of relying primarily on an acrylic base, these partials use a metal framework for additional structure.

Pros of metal framework partial dentures:

●     Provide a strong, durable framework

●     May feel less bulky than some acrylic partials

●     Replace missing teeth while allowing you to retain healthy natural teeth

●     Removable for routine cleaning and denture care

Things to consider:



●     Metal framework partials generally cost more than acrylic partials

●     They still require an adjustment period

●     The fit may need to be modified over time as your mouth changes

The right partial denture depends on your individual needs, so it is helpful to discuss the advantages and limitations of each material with an experienced denturist.

Which Type of False Teeth Is Right for You?

Choosing between full dentures, immediate dentures, acrylic partial dentures, and metal framework partials depends on your individual situation. Someone missing all of their teeth has very different needs from someone who only needs to replace a few.

It is also important to remember that getting new false teeth is a process. Dentures and partial dentures are prosthetics, and becoming comfortable eating, speaking, and going about your daily routine with them can take time. Adjustments are a normal part of achieving a comfortable, functional fit.

At Smile Again Dentures, we focus exclusively on denture care. Our providers can talk with you about your existing teeth, your denture needs, and the false teeth options available to you.

Learn More About Partial Dentures and False Teeth in Lewiston, ME

Smile Again Dentures provides full dentures, acrylic partial dentures, metal framework partials, denture adjustments, repairs, relines, and other denture care services from our Lewiston, ME location. We also serve patients coming from Auburn, Brunswick, ME, and nearby communities.

If you have questions about false teeth or partial dentures, contact our office to learn more about your options and current appointment availability.