A denture is a prosthesis which (like any other prosthesis) is designed to replace a missing body part. Because the jaws deteriorate and the face collapses when all teeth are missing, dentures are designed to replace missing teeth as well as the facial structures that have deteriorated. To achieve this, they must be fairly thick to compensate for the bone that has deteriorated away. As facial structures continue to collapse over time, dentures must be replaced or relined to be thicker in order to compensate for additional bone loss. Dentures accelerate bone loss because they press down on the gums and the underlying bone when one eats. This compresses the gums and bone; and, unfortunately, if you wear a denture, your bone will deteriorate faster. Additionally, your facial structure will collapse more quickly than if you do not wear a denture. A partial denture is also a prosthesis; but, it is designed to replace facial structures when just some of a person’s teeth are missing. A partial is held in place by metal clasps that hook onto adjacent teeth. A partial also accelerates bone loss as it presses down on the gums and the underlying bone as it functions. The hooks place pressure on adjacent teeth as the partial rocks back and forth; and, this causes the adjacent teeth to eventually loosen and come out. Then, more false teeth must be added to the partial and the pressure from the hooks shifts to other teeth causing them to become compromised. This process continues as long as the partial is used.