Dentures are one of the most traditional forms of tooth replacement, and they've been used for centuries for a reason. They get the job done! However, these days, you have a few more options when it comes to choosing your dentures. If you've heard about different types of dentures and don't know which is right for you, then here is what you need to know.

Standard Dentures

Standard dentures are the classic version. They're made of resin, plastic, and in some cases, a bit of metal to support the overall structure. They look fairly realistic, are comfortable, and can be applied with adhesive gel, paste, or adhesive strips.

Dentures are well-liked for their simplicity and ease of use. When you start your day, you put them in, and when you finish them, you take them out to clean them.

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures are a bit different from standard dentures. The shape and structure of the dentures themselves are nearly identical to standard dentures. But they feature the same type of implants that are utilized with dental implants.

Dental implants are thin titanium posts that are set into the gums and go down (or up, if it's the upper jaw) to the jaw bone. These posts are extremely strong and biocompatible, meaning that the body doesn't have allergic reactions or rejection problems with titanium.

Dental implant dentures use the implants to keep the dentures in place. As a result, you don't take out this type of dentures the same way that you do with standard ones. You can brush them like you would normal teeth, and you don't have to worry about using an adhesive. This is useful for people who like very hard or sticky foods, as those can sometimes dislodge standard dentures but won't with implant dentures.

Process

Getting either kind of dentures is a similar process, up until a point.

With both, your mouth will be fitted for the new dentures. This is usually done with a mold to ensure that your dentures are a custom, perfect fit. While the mold is being sent off to a manufacturer, if you're getting implant dentures, you'll move on to the next step.

The next step for implant dentures is to put the implants in place. This is an oral surgery, so you'll be put under general anesthesia. Titanium posts will be inserted in a few parts of your gums, usually with just a few per set of dentures. Once the posts are in place, you'll be sent home to let your mouth heal and for the bone to start building up around the posts, holding them in place.

Once your dentures are ready, you'll be able to come and pick them up. If you got implant dentures, they'll be mounted for you; if they're standard dentures, your dentist will show you how to put them in and take them out.