People find themselves needing dentures for all kinds of reasons—you may have experienced severe tooth decay, lost some teeth in an accident, or had an infection. Whatever the reason, the two variants to choose from are removable or fixed. Both have their merits, but the following guide will help you find which one is more suitable for your lifestyle.

Removable

You may have seen these in advertisements and on television. They’re the stereotypical impression of dentures, often seen placed in a glass of water on a bed stand. You wear them in the day and take them out at night. They are set in a plastic mold resembling gums and then secured in place over your natural gums with denture glue. At the end of each day, you remove the dentures, thoroughly clean them, and then keep them in water to prevent them from drying out and cracking.

While you can easily put them in and take them out yourself without needing any professional help, there are some challenges with this method. For example, many find the glue unreliable—their dentures slipping or getting stuck in chewy food. The mold can also rub against your mouth uncomfortably, sometimes creating sores.

Fixed 

As with the first option, fixed dentures are set in a mouth-mold designed to look like gums, which is then placed over your natural ones. However, the way they are attached to your mouth differs: implants are inserted into the jaw bone, and the bone grows around the implant, creating a permanent anchor onto which your dentures attach.

Advancements in implant technology have seen fixed dentures grow in popularity over the years. While they can only be fitted by a trained professional, once in place, they are strong, secure, and comfortable. They’re also extremely durable, lasting an average of 20 years or more.

The team at Tri-Cities Dental in Colleyville, TX, has over 25 years’ combined experience in family dentistry. They provide a wide range of services including dentures, teeth whitening, tooth extractions, and cosmetic dentistry—as well as same-day emergency appointments. If you’re looking for a dental practice that can support your whole family’s needs, visit their website. Call (817) 283-3427 to schedule an appointment. You can also check out their Facebook page for more oral care tips.