Removable dentures may be a full upper or lower set of teeth, or a partial upper or lower denture. Removable dentures are made of a pink acrylic base with plastic teeth. Sometimes a fixed bridge is not possible because there is not a tooth available on each side where teeth are missing. In these cases a removable denture is the treatment option.
A partial denture has metal arms that fit around existing teeth to hold the denture in place. A full removable is used to replace a full arch of teeth where none exist and are held in by suction. Full upper dentures typically suction well using the roof of the mouth (palate). Lower dentures generally don’t fit as well because the tongue pushes the denture around. Another factor contributing to stability of the denture is the amount of remaining bone for the denture to suction to. Denture implants may be needed to provide ideal stability.