No one can say they look forward to wearing dentures someday. Still, many people suffer the loss of teeth as they age. Heredity, diet, and poor dental hygiene may be to blame, but navigating through life with missing teeth has more drawbacks than missing out on corn on the cob. Tooth loss can impair speech, effect self-esteem, and lead to infections of the gum and/or loss of jawbone.

Whatever the reason for tooth loss, it may eventually become necessary to wear dentures. While some people elect to have all of their remaining teeth removed in favor of wearing a full set of dentures, this is not the best answer. In fact, if you can at all help it, you should try to retain as many of your natural teeth as possible. To that end, there have been many advances made in dental cosmetics to permit integration of natural teeth. However, none of them are a one-size-fits-all solution.

While appearance and comfort are certainly major factors behind choosing the best type of dentures, there’s more to consider. Function, for example, is of primary importance. There’s a lot to be said for a secure fit too -- dropping your teeth into the palm of your hand is a parlor trick better left to the privacy of your bathroom. With that said, you should know that there are four basic different types of dentures available.

Standard dentures are the obvious choice for someone who has already lost all of their teeth. The fitting process begins with impressions being taken of the upper and lower gums to make a form-fitting denture plate for each. A series of follow-up appointments are necessary to make any needed adjustments. This is important to ensure a proper fit when speaking and eating, as well as when at rest.

For those who are only missing a few teeth, it may be possible to wear a type of removable partial dentures (RPD) called CuSil dentures. These dentures are made with deliberately placed holes in them to allow stable natural teeth to push through. In fact, the surrounding natural teeth provide support and security for this type of denture fitting. CuSil dentures work best as upper dentures.

Immediate, or temporary dentures, are another type of removable partial dentures. However, these often become permanent dentures for some people. Basically, the dentures are made before the natural teeth have been extracted. Once the loose or decaying teeth in question are removed, the partial is placed over the recovering gums. Often, wire is used to connect the partial to nearby natural teeth, providing additional support. This type of partial denture is sometimes referred to as a flipper.

Implant retained dentures are the most durable and permanent type of dentures. They’re also the most expensive. Implants involve placing a titanium screw into the pre-drilled gum where it will bond to the underlying bone over the course of a few months. At this point, a post is attached to the implant to which a porcelain tooth may be affixed. Implant retained dentures are a feasible option for people who have difficulty wearing lower dentures.