The Different Types of Partial Dentures: Which Variety Suits Your Needs?

The Different Types of Partial Dentures: Which Variety Suits Your Needs?
March 1, 2023

Partial dentures help replace several missing teeth but are not helpful if you need replacements for a complete upper or lower arch of teeth. You must have healthy teeth remaining in the upper or lower jaw to get partial dentures.

This article provides information on partial dentures, including the different types and materials that help make them. If you have experienced tooth loss, discuss your situation with the dentist in Duncanville to ascertain whether partial dentures suit your situation.

What is a partial denture, and when should I get one?

Partial dentures are removable prosthetics that help replace missing teeth in your top or bottom jaw. These prosthetics are not merely aesthetic appliances because they can enhance chewing and speech. Partial dentures also help to hold your remaining teeth in place, which begin drifting when you lose one or more teeth.

Partial dentures are not intended for round-the-clock wear, and most dentists suggest removing them at night for cleaning. The removable feature of partial dentures, besides concerns about their fit and appearance, do not make them a popular option for replacing teeth. However, cleaning the partial dentures by removing them helps prevent and reduce the risk of developing cavities in the neighboring healthy teeth because they are comfortable to clean.

You may benefit from partial dentures if you miss multiple teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Some factors contributing to tooth loss include injury, tooth removal or extraction, and decay. Whatever the reason, you must ensure your remaining teeth stay healthy. The Duncanville dentist will fabricate your partial dentures after considering the health of your remaining teeth. If your remaining natural teeth are unhealthy, the dentist may suggest extracting them utilize complete dentures instead.

What Types of Partial Dentures Can You Consider?

Various manufacturing materials and techniques ensure you can find different versions of partial dentures. Below are some considerations to take into account to know more about partial denture types.

  • Location of Tooth Loss: Partial dentures help replace lost teeth in the anterior or posterior region of your mouth. People with anterior partials expressed the most excellent satisfaction with the prosthetics, according to a study in 2071. Researchers believed dentures made a significant difference in the aesthetic appearance of the patient. However, they also concluded partial dentures helped people bite foods comfortably. In addition, people with posterior dentures benefited from speaking and eating to enhance satisfaction.
  • Number of Teeth on the Partials: When considering replacing missing teeth, partial dentures are not the only option. You can also consider partial & full dentures in Duncanville to replace an entire arch of teeth in the upper or lower jaw. However, if you have natural teeth remaining in your mouth, the dentist must extract them before providing the prosthetics. Dental bridges also available to replace missing teeth are generally present on one side of your mouth, while partial dentures help replace teeth on both sides. In addition, dental bridges are fixed, while partial dentures are removable. Finally, dentists recommend partial dentures if you have three or more missing teeth consecutively neighboring each other.
  • Materials Used: Dentists use resin or metal to create the denture’s base. However, partials created from polymers are less expensive than their metal counterparts. In addition, they have a pleasing aesthetic appearance, are lightweight and flexible, and are comfortable with making and repairing.
  • Flexible Dentures: You can choose flexible dentures fabricated from thin, lightweight thermoplastics without metal clips if you desire. However, flexible dentures are bulky because they are vulnerable to breaking when they are too thin.

Attachments in Your Mouth

The dentist near you generally fits partial dentures in your mouth with clasps or precision attachments. Metal clasps encircle at least 50 percent of the neighboring teeth to the partial. Depending on the location of the missing tooth, the metal clasps might become visible when smiling. Precision attachments are affixed to your natural teeth after your dentist customizes them according to your needs.

How to keep your partial dentures clean?

After getting partial dentures in Duncanville, you must ensure you care for them to keep them free from stains and keep them appearing at their best. Therefore you must remove the partials for rinsing after having meals and also clean your mouth at the same time. Your partials need cleaning daily and soaking in water or denture solution overnight to remove dental plaque and other deposits. In addition, before replacing them in your mouth, they need thorough rinsing, primarily if you use denture soaking solution.

You must refrain from using abrasive agents besides whitening toothpaste to clean dentures, as they can damage your prosthetics. You can see the Duncanville dentist if you think your partials don’t fit correctly and also schedule regular appointments with them to have your partials professionally cleaned.

After losing one or more teeth, getting replacements for them becomes essential to maintain your appearance and mouth functionality. If you confront this situation, kindly do not hesitate to consult Glow Family Dental for a suitable solution to close the gaps between your teeth using partials that help restore your smile besides allowing you to speak and eat without complications.

Blog