This appliance is created after all the natural teeth are removed from a patient and the mouth and gum tissue are given time to heal before the dentures are placed. This process can take months, and the patient is likely to be without teeth during the entire period.

Prior to the removal of the natural teeth, measurements are taken and the dentures are fabricated in advance. During the same procedure, the natural teeth are removed and the dentures are immediately placed in the mouth. The benefit is the patient is not without teeth for an extended period. Follow-up visits will need to be scheduled by the patient so the dentist can refit the denture if the jawbone has slightly changed shape as the mouth healed. Dentures usually need to be tightened as the jaw heals.

Partial dentures are an option when some natural teeth remain. A partial denture is similar to a bridge, but a partial denture is not a permanent fixture in your mouth.