Dentures and partial dentures, traditionally associated with seniors, are also commonly used by younger adults. Despite a decrease in adult tooth loss since the 1960s, many Americans still rely on dentures to improve their smiles, speech, and ability to comfortably chew food. At Keys Dental Specialists, serving Key West and the surrounding areas, we offer both types of dentures to meet our patients' needs.
A denture is a removable dental appliance that replaces missing teeth and surrounding tissue, closely resembling natural teeth to enhance your smile. There are two main types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures replace all teeth, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain, preventing other teeth from shifting and filling in gaps.
Complete dentures can be "conventional," made after teeth removal and gum tissue healing (usually after about 5 weeks), or "immediate," made in advance and placed immediately after teeth removal to avoid a toothless period during healing. Immediate dentures require adjustments as tissues shrink and heal.
Dentures are durable and can last many years with proper care, though they may require occasional adjustments due to normal wear. At Keys Dental Specialists, we are committed to providing high-quality dentures that restore both function and aesthetics, ensuring our patients enjoy comfortable and confident smiles.