What Are Dentures and Who Needs Them
Dentures are prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth. They rest on the gums and are held in place by suction, adhesive, clasps on remaining teeth, or dental implants. Modern dentures look more natural and fit better than older designs, though they still require adjustment and maintenance.
You may need dentures if you have lost most or all of your teeth due to decay, gum disease, or injury. Even if you still have some natural teeth, a partial denture can fill in the gaps and restore your ability to chew and speak normally. Your dentist or prosthodontist will evaluate your oral health and recommend the type that fits your situation.
Complete Dentures vs. Partial Dentures
The two broadest categories of dentures are complete and partial. The distinction is simple: how many teeth are missing.
Complete (Full) Dentures
Complete dentures replace all of the teeth in one or both jaws. The denture base is made of acrylic resin that is colored to match your gum tissue. The teeth are made of acrylic or porcelain. An upper complete denture covers the roof of the mouth (palate), which helps create suction to hold it in place. A lower complete denture is horseshoe-shaped to leave room for the tongue.
Upper dentures generally stay in place better than lower dentures because the palate provides a larger surface area for suction. Lower dentures sit on a narrow ridge of bone and can shift during eating or speaking. This is one reason many patients eventually consider implant support for their lower denture.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures replace some missing teeth when you still have healthy natural teeth remaining. A metal or acrylic framework holds the replacement teeth and connects to your natural teeth with clasps or precision attachments. The clasps grip your existing teeth to keep the partial denture stable.
A well-fitting partial denture restores chewing function and prevents your remaining teeth from shifting into the empty spaces. It also supports your facial structure in areas where teeth are missing. Your dentist will evaluate whether your remaining teeth are strong enough to support a partial denture or whether they need treatment first.
Conventional Dentures vs. Immediate Dentures
The timing of when your dentures are placed after tooth extraction determines whether they are conventional or immediate.
Conventional Dentures
Conventional dentures are made and placed after all teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has fully healed. This healing period typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. During this time, you will be without teeth unless you use a temporary set.
The advantage of waiting is a better fit. Your gums and bone change shape significantly in the weeks after extractions. By waiting for healing to complete, your dentist can create dentures that fit your final gum shape more accurately, which usually means fewer adjustments.
Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures are made in advance using measurements and impressions taken before your teeth are removed. They are placed on the same day as your extractions, so you are never without teeth. This is a significant quality-of-life advantage for many patients.
The tradeoff is fit. As your gums heal and shrink over the following weeks and months, immediate dentures will become loose. They typically need to be relined (refitted to your new gum shape) within 3 to 6 months. Some patients use immediate dentures as a transitional set while waiting for conventional dentures or implant-supported options.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures attach to dental implants that are surgically placed in the jawbone. The implants act as anchors, holding the denture firmly in place. This eliminates the slipping and shifting that many patients experience with conventional dentures.
There are two main types of implant-supported dentures. An overdenture snaps onto 2 to 4 implants with special attachments and can be removed by the patient for cleaning. A fixed implant denture (sometimes called a hybrid or fixed bridge) is secured to 4 to 6 implants and can only be removed by a dentist. Fixed options feel more like natural teeth but cost more.
Implant-supported dentures are especially beneficial for the lower jaw, where conventional dentures often perform poorly. The added stability improves chewing ability, speech, and confidence. However, they require surgery, adequate jawbone, and a higher investment. A prosthodontist and oral surgeon or periodontist typically work together on these cases.
Flexible Partial Dentures
Flexible partial dentures are made from a soft, thermoplastic material (such as nylon-based resin) instead of the rigid acrylic or metal used in traditional partials. The flexible material bends slightly to fit around your teeth and gums, and the clasps are made from the same tooth-colored material, making them nearly invisible.
Many patients find flexible partials more comfortable than traditional metal-clasp partials, especially during the adjustment period. They are also lighter and less likely to break if dropped. However, flexible partials may not be as durable over the long term and can be harder to reline or repair. They work best as a replacement for a few missing teeth rather than many.
Your dentist may recommend a flexible partial if you have allergies to acrylic, if comfort is a top priority, or as an interim solution while you plan for implants or a different long-term option.
Denture Materials Compared
The materials used in your denture affect its appearance, durability, weight, and cost.
Acrylic Resin
Acrylic is the most common denture base material. It is affordable, easy to adjust and repair, and can be color-matched to your gum tissue. Acrylic teeth are also less likely to chip than porcelain. Most complete dentures and many partial dentures use acrylic for both the base and the teeth.
Porcelain Teeth
Porcelain denture teeth look more like natural teeth and resist staining better than acrylic. However, they are heavier, more brittle, and can wear down natural opposing teeth. Porcelain teeth are sometimes used in premium complete dentures but are less common today because modern acrylic teeth have improved significantly in appearance.
Metal Framework (Cast Partials)
Traditional partial dentures often use a cobalt-chromium metal framework for strength. The metal is thinner and stronger than acrylic, which means the denture can be less bulky in the mouth. Metal-framework partials tend to last longer and fit more precisely, but they cost more and the metal clasps may be visible on front teeth.
Denture Costs by Type
Denture costs vary based on the type, the materials used, and your location. The following ranges are general estimates. Costs vary by provider and case complexity.
A basic complete denture (one arch) typically costs $600 to $1,500. Mid-range and premium complete dentures with better materials and more detailed craftsmanship range from $1,500 to $3,000 per arch. Partial dentures cost $700 to $2,500 depending on whether they use a metal framework, acrylic, or flexible material.
Immediate dentures cost roughly the same as conventional dentures, but you should budget for the cost of a reline within the first year. Implant-supported overdentures typically cost $5,000 to $15,000 per arch, including the implants. Fixed implant dentures range from $15,000 to $30,000 per arch.
Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of denture costs, though they may limit the type or frequency of replacement. Ask your dental office about your specific coverage and any available payment plans.
Prosthodontist vs. General Dentist for Dentures
General dentists make and fit dentures regularly, and for straightforward cases, a general dentist is often a good option. A prosthodontist is a dentist who completed 3 additional years of residency training focused on replacing and restoring teeth, including denture design, implant-supported restorations, and complex bite reconstruction.
Consider seeing a prosthodontist if you have had difficulty getting a good fit with previous dentures, if you need implant-supported dentures, if you have significant bone loss or jaw changes, or if you have complex bite issues that affect how your dentures function. Prosthodontists also manage full-mouth rehabilitation cases where dentures are part of a larger treatment plan.
Learn more about prosthodontic specialty training on our [prosthodontics specialty page](/specialties/prosthodontics). If implant placement is needed, you may be referred to an [oral surgeon](/specialties/oral-surgery) or [periodontist](/specialties/periodontics).
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