What are partial dentures?

A partial denture is a removable dental appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. A partial denture consists of a metal framework that holds the denture in place. The framework attaches to the remaining natural teeth with clasps or attachments.

Benefits

Partial dentures, unlike full dentures, are removable. With partial dentures, patients enjoy the benefit of being able to remove their dentures for a thorough cleaning. However, that also means that partial dentures aren’t quite as sturdy as full dentures. They can slip out more often, and patients may struggle with keeping them in place.

The procedure for fitting partial dentures

Once your partial denture has been fabricated, your individual restoration will be checked one last time for fit and comfort.

Care and hygiene for partial dentures

To keep your partial dentures in the best condition possible, you should soak them in denture cleaner every day. You should also brush and rinse your partial denture with cool water after meals.

You should clean your partial dentures over a sink or basin filled with warm water. This will prevent them from breaking if you drop them. You should also keep your partial denture away from pets, as they like to chew on dental appliances.

Alternatives to partial dentures

Implant-supported partials can be a good option for patients who want a fixed option, but might not want to commit to implants. Like removable partials, partials supported by implants are removable.

When might partial dentures not be suitable?

If several of your teeth are missing, a full set of dentures may be the best option. However, if only a few teeth are missing, a partial denture may be an option.

Partial dentures are used to fill in gaps, but they may not be able to restore full functionality. If some of your teeth are missing, they may weaken your remaining teeth. This can cause discomfort. Your remaining teeth may shift, which can lead to speech issues.

Partial dentures vs dental implants

Partial dentures can be a good solution for people with some missing teeth but are unable to replace all of the teeth. However, there are several disadvantages to using partial dentures.

First, partial dentures are not permanently fixed into the mouth. Instead, they rely on a dental adhesive to hold them in place. This adhesive will not last forever, and needs to be reapplied at least twice a day.

In addition, partial dentures do nothing to address the underlying problem of missing teeth, which can put additional strain on the surrounding teeth. This can lead to further tooth loss.

Partial dentures

A partial denture is used when a patient still has some healthy teeth left. The denture fills in the space where the missing teeth once were, and restores your smile. It can also prevent further oral health issues by filling the space, which may have been a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque.