Removable Partial or Full Denture
pop-up of different dentures

A partial or fully removable denture is a set of artificial teeth that are not fixed permanently to one's own natural teeth. This constuction usually consists of plastic teeth set in an artifical plastic - or plastic and metal - framework that rests on the gum tissue.

A partial denture is used by people who have multiple spaces on one or both sides or whose teeth are not strong enough to support a fixed bridge. If the back tooth is lost on a fixed bridge, the only way to replace that tooth would be to use a partial denture or an implant-supported denture or bridge. A partial denture usually has clasps or arms that fit around the existing natural teeth and use them for support. The plastic base just sits on top of the gum tissue.

A complete denture replaces all the teeth on either the top or bottom jaw. The full denture can be the most difficult restoration to get accustomed to. The lower jaw offers little resistence to displacement, thus the lower denture tends to move around quite a bit. This movement only causes further atrophy of the jawbone itself, making the denture less and less easy to hold in place.