One option is a bridge - replacement teeth that are connected to the natural teeth on either side. Another option is a removable partial denture that clips onto your healthy teeth. Bridges require healthy teeth to be cut down and capped to support new teeth, which puts healthy teeth at higher risk for decay, gum disease and sensitivity. Partial or complete dentures may be awkward, making it difficult to chew and speak. Poor fitting dentures can cause pain and embarrassment.
Complete dentures rely on suction to maintain their position in the mouth.
Denture stability is related to the amount of healthy, firm soft tissue available and the height of the bone ridges in the jaw. Research has shown that the lower jawbone resorbs five times as fast as the upper jaw bone. With bone atrophy, the ridge s height decreases and the denture s stability is reduced. Complete denture wearers need to be oral gymnasts to stabilize the dentures with their facial muscles and tongue. Dentures including partial dentures need to be relined every 18 to 24 months and replaced every five to eight years.