If you are caring for someone with dentures, it can be useful to know how to identify the different types and how you can care for them. All dentures must be handled very carefully to avoid being dropped and damaged.

Dentures described by How many teeth they replace, where in the mouth they sit, and what they are made of.

Full or Partial – Are all the teeth missing or are some of the teeth retained? Partial dentures often have wires, known as clasps to help them grip onto remaining natural teeth. This can improve stability and comfort, but also makes them harder to remove and introduces some very specific cleaning requirements. Also it is important to be careful when handling partial dentures ( wearing gloves is encouraged) , as the clasps can pose a risk of sharps injury.

Upper (top jaw / maxillary) Lower ( bottom jaw / mandibular) Full upper and lower dentures are easy to identify. The upper denture covers all of the roof of the mouth, while the lower is horseshoe shaped to allow space for the tongue. Partial dentures can often appear similar for the top or bottom, however the individual who owns them will typically know what denture goes where.

Plastic ( acrylic) or Metal (Chrome) dentures will appear differently. Partial dentures can be more challenging to remove, and they are also more time consuming to clean, as the clasps and all surfaces that will contact natural teeth must be free from plaque. Failure to to remove plaque from the denture will increase the risk of decay to the supporting teeth.