Dental Glossary

Please view our glossary covering a growing number of categories. If you have any further questions you would like to ask, please submit them via our contact form. Click here to contact us

Traditionally, dentures were the only means available to replace missing teeth and are still an alternative if a bridge or implant is not suitable.

Depending on whether a few or all the teeth are missing, replacement is possible with either a partial or a full denture. Partial dentures may be made from a plastic base or a metal base, usually cobalt-chrome and are kept in place by small wire clips called retention clasps and reciprocators. Full dentures however, are fabricated from acrylic and remain in place by precisely fitting the gum and ridges of bone upper and lower jaws.

In the case of the upper jaw the denture is retained by strong suction against the roof of the mouth while the lower denture stays in place due to gravity.

If the gum has receded too far, it may not be possible for the full denture to stay in place. In such cases, implants are able to stabilize the dentures very effectively.

It usually takes several visits for the dentist to properly fabricate and fit a denture as after each visit, the models and trial dentures must be sent to a dental lab until such time as a satisfactory result is achieved.


10 Top Links to Dental Sites About This Topic
If you are a DENTIST and would like your website linked from this page, please use the DENTISTS LOGIN to view information about how to obtain FAQ WEBSITE LINKS.