A denture, or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips. Most dentures are made of acrylic.
A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
An immediate denture is fabricated prior to extracting the teeth and is inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted. An immediate denture requires relining after the tissues heal.
An upper denture is acrylic and usually flesh colored that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.
The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination of the two. Dentures can be fabricated to attach over root canal teeth or over dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.
Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease, change or oral cancer.