If you're missing some or all of your natural teeth, there are four main types of dentures to consider: complete (full) dentures, partial dentures, immediate dentures, and implant-retained dentures. Each replaces missing teeth in a different way, and each tends to suit a different starting point – how many natural teeth you have left, how your gums and jawbone are doing, and what you need day to day. This guide walks through what each type is, who it tends to suit, and how the visit flow and care routine differ, so you have a clearer starting point for a conversation with our denturists. It isn't a substitute for an in-person assessment – just a plain-language map of the options.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures – sometimes called full dentures – replace an entire arch of upper or lower teeth. They're the option most people picture when they think of a denture: a pink acrylic base shaped to your gums, holding a full row of replacement teeth, that rests on the ridge of your jaw. Our denturists design and fit each one, and our own Ottawa lab crafts it to match. Complete dentures tend to suit patients who have no remaining natural teeth in that arch, whether that's from years of tooth loss, decay, or previous extractions.
Getting a complete denture usually takes a few visits: impressions and measurements first, then a try-in where our denturists check the bite, fit, and appearance before the final denture is finished. Because it rests on soft tissue that can change shape over time, most patients come back for a follow-up adjustment once they've been wearing it for a while. Day to day, a complete denture is removed at night to let your gums rest, brushed with a denture-specific cleaner rather than regular toothpaste, and soaked as recommended – small habits that help it stay comfortable and fitting well.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture fills in one or more gaps while your remaining natural teeth stay in place. Instead of replacing a full arch, it's built around your existing teeth – typically an acrylic or metal framework with clasps that rest against your teeth to hold the replacement teeth securely. Partial dentures tend to suit patients who still have healthy teeth worth keeping, since preserving those teeth also helps keep your jawbone active and your bite stable.
The visit flow is similar to a complete denture – impressions, a try-in to check the fit around your existing teeth, then the finished piece – though our denturists also have to account for the shape and position of the teeth you're keeping. Care is a little more detailed too: partials are removed nightly like any denture, but the clasp areas need gentle, careful brushing to keep both the appliance and your natural teeth clean, since food can collect where they meet.
Immediate Dentures
An immediate denture is fitted right after your natural teeth are removed, so you're not without teeth while your gums heal. It's designed as a transitional step: your gums and jawbone reshape quite a bit in the weeks and months afterward, so an immediate denture is expected to need adjusting, and is often followed by a new, more precisely fitted immediate denture or complete denture once healing has settled.
Because the fit is planned before your extractions even happen, this route usually means an extra planning visit up front, plus more follow-up appointments than a standard complete denture – our denturists will want to check the fit as swelling goes down and your gums heal. Immediate dentures tend to suit patients who want to avoid time without teeth, and who understand the appliance will likely need relining or replacing as healing finishes.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Implant-retained dentures attach to a small number of dental implants placed in the jawbone, rather than resting on the gum tissue alone. The extra stability can mean less movement when eating or speaking, compared with a denture that rests on the gums alone. There are a couple of ways implant-retained dentures attach – some clip onto a bar that connects the implants, others attach directly to individual implants – and our denturists can walk you through which implant-retained approach fits your mouth.
Whether implant-retained dentures are a suitable option depends on things like the amount and density of the bone in your jaw, your gum health, and your overall health – all of which our denturists assess in person, often alongside a specialist for the implant placement itself. The visit flow is longer than a conventional denture: an assessment and planning stage, the implant placement and healing period, then fitting the denture to the implants. Day-to-day care includes cleaning around the attachments in addition to the denture itself, plus regular check-ins so our denturists can keep an eye on the implants and the surrounding gum tissue.
Which Type Is Right for Me?
| Type | Suits | Path | Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete | All teeth missing on an arch | Impressions, try-in, fitting, then adjustments | Daily brush and soak; periodic relines |
| Partial | Some natural teeth remain | Designed around your natural teeth | Clean alongside natural teeth |
| Immediate | Extractions planned; no gap without teeth | Made before extractions, worn the same day; adjusted as you heal | Expect relines during healing |
| Implant-retained | Wanting extra stability; assessed case by case | Implants placed with dental partners, then the denture is fitted | Clean denture and attachments daily |
There isn't one answer that fits everyone – the right type of denture depends on how many teeth you have left, the condition of your gums and jawbone, your health history, and what matters most to you day to day. As a quick-glance comparison:
- Complete dentures – for a full arch with no remaining natural teeth; a few visits for impressions, fitting, and adjustments; removed nightly for cleaning and rest.
- Partial dentures – for one or more gaps alongside healthy natural teeth; a similar visit flow, fitted around your existing teeth; removed nightly, with extra care around the clasps.
- Immediate dentures – for patients who want teeth in place right after extractions; planned ahead of extraction day, with more follow-up visits while your gums heal; often a step toward a complete denture.
- Implant-retained dentures – for patients seeking extra stability, once an assessment confirms it's a suitable option; a longer visit flow that includes implant placement; daily cleaning around the attachments plus regular check-ins.
Cost is often part of the decision, too – the factors that affect denture cost vary by type and by what your mouth needs. If you're eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, we direct-bill CDCP for eligible treatment, so it's worth checking what applies to you on our CDCP coverage page.
The most reliable way to know which type suits you is a hands-on assessment – an exam, a conversation about your goals, and a look at your gums, bite, and jawbone. Our denturists are happy to walk through the options with you and answer questions about comfort, care, or timelines. Book a free consultation to talk through what makes sense for your mouth and your day-to-day life.
Reviewed by our licensed denturists · Updated July 2026