There are several types of dentures.

Complete dentures replace all the teeth on the top or bottom jaw.  The top denture relies on surface tension (suction) to keep it in place.  The bottom denture usually does not achieve suction due to its shape, reduced surface area, and the motion of the tissues of the bottom jaw.   With the emphasis on preventive care it is becoming far less common for people to need complete dentures.

Partial Dentures replace some of the teeth on the top or bottom jaw.  They usually have a surgical stainless steel framework which holds on to the remaining teeth and plastic in the area where the teeth are missing. The clasps which hold on to the teeth are silver in color and are usually visible when used on front teeth.  It is possible to make "invisible clasps" or precision attachments which make the partial dentures more esthetic.

Overdentures use endodontically treated retained roots to help support either Complete or Partial dentures.  They can have precision attachments inserted which hold on the the denture or partial to improve retention and stability.

Implant supported dentures are similar to overdentures but instead of using a retained root an implant is used to attach to the denture.

Precision Attachments come in various types and size for various purposes.  A simple precision attachment for use in an overdenture would be a small ball attached to a retained root or implant.  The denture would contain a rubber O ring which seats over and holds on to the ball when the denture is in place.

Last modified: 05/03/04