Dentures are prosthetics that resemble teeth and are constructed to replace missing ones. Most dentures are removable. That said, depending on their design and construction, there are some  dentures that attach to the oral cavity by bonding or with the help of dental implants, too. 

Although the elderly usually opt for dentures when they start losing teeth due to their advanced years, people of any age can opt for dentures if they have missing teeth due to any illness or injury. A dental expert is the best person to guide the patient regarding what kind of dentures would be best suited for them. 

Knowing the difference between partial and full dentures can help you decide which kind of dentures you want. Here are some of their differences and respective benefits. 

Coverage 

Full dentures give you complete coverage. These dentures are recommended when the patient has lost most teeth, and the rest cannot be salvaged. However, full dentures cannot go on if there are remaining teeth in the oral cavity. Hence, the patient has to undergo an extraction of the remaining teeth before they can be installed. 

Partial dentures are used when there are some missing teeth. They are used when there are a few teeth missing teeth, and the remaining ones might be in good shape. While the full dentures stick to the gums and both sides of the mouth due to suction, partial dentures are attached to the remaining teeth beside the gap that the denture aims to fill. If the remaining teeth are in good shape, the dentist will ask the patient to opt for dental implants or partial dentures. 

Fitting 

Both full and partial dentures are customized according to the size of the patient’s oral cavity. The full dentures replace your entire set of teeth, and no one can make out you are wearing them. Modern dentures are very natural to look at and can also be customized like your original teeth. They fit in snugly, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of food items. You must take them off at night and clean them with special cleaning agents for optimum oral hygiene. 

Partial dentures also have all the benefits of full dentures. However, they must be made with greater precision as they should ideally match the original teeth that you retain. This is why it would be best for you to opt for certified and professional dental experts to create partial dentures for you to resemble your remaining teeth. Depending on the nature of the clasp used to fix them to the adjacent teeth, you need to dislodge your partial dentures from time to time to clean them. Modern partial dentures can be removed daily. 

With both full and partial dentures, you will regain your youthful look as the hollows of your cheek fill in, and you will have a better smile. The dentists will conduct a thorough dental examination to help you find your best fit of dentures.

Cost 

The cost of full and partial dentures depends on a lot of factors. Usually, full dentures cost more because they replace your entire set of teeth. Moreover, there are also charges for extracting any remaining teeth. Since partial dentures replace only a small number of teeth, the cost of making them is lower. 

However, a lot depends on the customization needed for building the two types of dentures. Some partial dentures cost more because of the customization required to match the remaining teeth. Your dental expert will give you an estimate based on your oral condition.

Initial Application

Both full and partial dentures are easy to put on and take off. However, if you opt for full dentures and you have to extract any remaining teeth because they are unsalvageable, then you have to wait till the gums heal entirely before you can start using your full dentures. This could take a while, depending on how many teeth you had to extract, but modern medicine has expedited the healing process remarkably. 

On the other hand, if your remaining teeth are in good shape, you can start using your partial dentures as soon as you get them. However, you must learn how to put them on and take them off depending on how they clasp to the adjacent teeth.

At Gateway Family Dentistry, we offer our clients a wide range of dental services. Apart from general dentistry, we have also provide sedation dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services like teeth whitening treatments. We can also help you with dental implants, crowns, dentures, veneers, bridges, fillings, root canals, and more. We also specialize in children's dentistry. Our expert dentists can provide comprehensive dental care for your entire family. Call us today to book an appointment, and you can leave your dental care to us.