Whether you’ve lost teeth with age or as a result of an accident, dentures may provide an excellent solution. Like dental implants, dentures take the place of your natural teeth regarding form and function. According to the team at Ronald L. Rasmussen DDS in Sacramento, CA, modern-day dentures come in a broad range of types and styles, suitable for various needs and conditions. They explain five common models so you can decide which is best for you. 

5 Types of Dentures 

1. Complete 

Complete dentures replace all of the teeth on the top and bottom of the mouth. They’re fabricated from a plastic base and placed on top of the gums, unlike dental bridges which are anchored to natural teeth. Dentists typically recommend these when no natural, healthy teeth remain.

2. Partial 

Partial dentures replace some teeth — not all. These are an excellent option for people who have at least one or more teeth in their upper and lower jaw. They’re usually made of acrylic material, with a pink-colored base and metal band to hold them in place. One benefit of partials is they’re removable.

3. Overdentures 

Dentures are typically used to replace lost teeth. A dentist may have to extract some surrounding teeth to fit partial or complete dentures. However, in some cases, a dentist may want to avoid or delay an extraction. In this case, the dentist files the surrounding teeth down to nearly the gums. Then, they fit the dentures over them. 

4. Snap-in

Snap-ins have embedded locator attachments which snap onto dental implants or anchors on existing teeth. The most stable option, they’re also removable like partials. Snap-in dentures are ideal if you have no existing teeth, but have enough bone to support an implant.

5. Immediate 

The dentist places immediate dentures on the same day as an extraction. They’re designed as a temporary placeholder for long-term dentures. While your mouth heals, immediate dentures allow you to chew, speak, and smile as you did with natural teeth. 

To learn more about dentures and how they could benefit you, contact the caring and experienced team at Ronald L. Rasmussen DDS. In addition to dental prosthetics, they also provide general dentistry services, including fillings, root canals, and bridges. Call (916) 689-1100 or visit their website today.