How Do Palateless Dentures Differ From Canal Ones?

If you need full upper dentures, you may wonder what the differences are between standard conventional full dentures and palateless dentures. At Julian Center for Comprehensive Dentistry in Ellicott City, MD, we create premium quality custom partial and full dentures for our patients using both options. Read on to learn how horseshoe upper dentures without implants vary from traditional styles.

What Are Palateless Dentures?

First, let's explain what palateless dentures are. They are an alternative option to conventional full-upper dentures. Like traditional full dentures, palateless versions replace all missing upper teeth.

Dentures without a palate mean the denture base that replaces the upper gums has no acrylic covering over the palate area. The only acrylic portions are smaller connectors between where the upper back teeth used to be and distal extensions that enhance stability. There is an open "U" shaped space where the old palate would be.

It makes palateless dentures different from standard upper dentures that fully cover the entire hard palate area of the upper jaw with acrylic resin.

Benefits of Open Palate Dentures

Why would someone choose open palate dentures rather than regular full upper dentures? There are several advantages that patients enjoy:

  • Improved Speech and Swallowing – Leaving palate tissue exposed often improves speaking ability and makes eating more natural. Food and liquids make more direct contact with mouth tissues during chewing and swallowing.
  • Enhanced Taste Sensations – Taste buds interact more directly with consumables passing over them for increased taste intensity. Many report food and drinks taste better.
  • Decreased Gag Reflex – Those prone to gagging when an upper denture covers their full palate often find open palate versions eliminate this reflex.
  • More Comfort – The open design avoids the sensation of fullness some feel from upper dentures overlaying their entire palate region with resin.
  • Better Stability – Well-designed palateless dentures utilize contours and cobalt samarium magnets for added stability, compared to full dentures relying only on suction.
  • Less Altering of Speech – Removing palate coverage avoids overcompressing the tongue. It helps speech sound more natural.

Of course, palateless dentures also provide all the same benefits as conventional dentures, such as restoring full chewing ability. Our premium quality materials and precision crafting also lead to exceptional fit and lifelike aesthetics.

Good Candidates for Horseshoe Dentures

Patients needing full upper arch replacement with minimal bone loss in the upper jaw are often suitable for palateless dentures. We will determine if your unique oral anatomy can support this type of restoration. Gum ridge depth, shape, and healthy palate tissue affect denture stability.

Visit Julian Center for Your Custom Upper Dentures

Do you want to explore if open palate upper dentures are right for you? The prosthodontic experts at Julian Center for Comprehensive Dentistry create premium implant dentures, partials, and full dentures for Ellicott City, MD patients. Call us at (410) 834-0796 or use our convenient online form to book your consultation with a dentist in Ellicott City.


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