Partials

Partial dentures, also called partials, are false replacement teeth that re-establish the form and functionality of your jaw by substituting one or several missing teeth. Partials replace a few missing teeth either in the upper or lower jaw. Complete dentures, on the other hand, replace an entire set of teeth. Partial dentures are fabricated from a combination of metal and acrylic, both of which give them the strength to meet your requirements for chewing and speaking while at the same time also looking natural. Though some partial dentures are wholly made from acrylic, however, these dentures tend to be less strong and structurally sound but may be a solution for you depending on your situation. 

Why would you need Partial Dentures?

The bite pressures shift in your mouth when you are missing one or more teeth. The other teeth may begin to move to help fill the gap in your bite, and as a result, you may experience shrinking of both the soft tissues and the supporting bone near your missing teeth. This can change your physical appearance and can lead to significant problems with your other teeth. A partial denture helps keep your mouth's underlying structures like your gums, jawbone, facial muscles, etc., active and engaged. It helps stop the further movement of the other teeth in your mouth while giving you the confidence of having a stunning, complete smile.

What are the other benefits of Partial Dentures?

• Partial dentures are a less-invasive alternative that is also less expensive than other options for replacing the missing teeth.
• They do require a little bit of looking after but are quite easy to get used to and, for most patients, do an excellent job of restoring beauty and functionality to that part of their mouth.
• Daily cleaning of your partial denture is essential but is a pretty simple process that will help keep your gums healthy and partial denture looking great.
• Partial dentures are an apt solution when the other teeth in your mouth are healthy. It is always desirable to keep your natural teeth; however, a full denture may be the right solution for you if this is not an option.

What are the steps involved in Partial Dentures?

To construct a partial denture that fits perfectly and is stable, the patient's natural teeth have to be repaired to a healthy state. After that, the dentist takes impressions that are sent over to a lab where the denture is prepared. Once the patient gets the final product, the dentist can make adjustments as required.

It is not recommended to fit partial dentures to teeth that are in danger of being lost due to dental infection or decay. Therefore, it must be ensured that the patient's remaining teeth that will act as anchor teeth for the partial denture must be as healthy as possible. The dentist may recommend that all decayed teeth be extracted. After making sure the patient's anchor teeth are stable, impressions can be made for the partial denture. The lab then makes a custom-fit denture with teeth in the patient's selected shade and gums that match the patient's natural teeth. Once the dentures are ready, the patient can let the dentist know if any spots feel rough or need to be adjusted.

It may take a couple of weeks for the patient to feel normal wearing the partial denture, and a few adjustments may be made in the weeks following initial delivery. During this time, the patient should be instructed on caring for the partial denture at home. It should be removed before going to bed.

Call us at Eldridge Dental or schedule an online appointment to know more about Partials