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What are Partial Dentures?

Dental Products
May 14, 2020

What are Partial Dentures?

What are Partial Dentures?

Denture is a broad term used for prostheses that are removable and replace missing teeth. These are made of acrylic or cast metal and have a plate holding the fake teeth, which replace the missing teeth. These dentures may be partial or complete.

Complete Dentures

Replace all teeth in an edentulous jaw. Generally, complete dentures come in a set of maxilla and mandible dentures, replacing all the teeth in a mouth. Single complete dentures replace teeth of anyone’s jaw (maxilla or mandible) when teeth may be present on the corresponding jaw.

Partial Dentures

Replace few missing teeth, conserving the healthy natural teeth in the mouth. A removable partial denture has replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored acrylic base connected by a metal framework to hold the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. These dentures fill in the gaps created by missing teeth and thus prevent adjacent teeth from changing position.

What are the different types of partial Dentures?

There are many different kinds of partial dentures based on the material used to fabricate them:

Acrylic Dentures

Conventional dentures made of acrylic dental material. Acrylic partial dentures are the most affordable. However, they tend to be bulkier and are intended as a temporary solution to replace missing teeth, also known as Flippers. Acrylic partial dentures have an acrylic base on which acrylic teeth are set. These dentures get attached to the natural teeth with small metal clasps, or they can have other connectors that are more natural-looking. The acrylic partial may be available with more durable, natural-looking teeth.

Cast partial dentures

Removable partial dentures in which metal is used in the framework. The cast-metal partial dentures are more robust, less bulky being thinner, and offer a great fit than acrylic dentures.

Precision partial denture

Removable with internal attachments instead of clasps to attach with the adjacent crowns. It is a more aesthetic and natural-looking appliance.

Flexible dentures

This newer type of denture is made of superior quality flexible denture material, which provides a great fit and comfort as compared to conventional acrylic dentures

Implant-supported dentures

These are different from the others because they are retained in the mouth with implants’ help. This basically means that implants are surgically placed in the jaw over which these dentures are fitted. This is generally recommended in people whose bone dimensions do not provide a good fit or retention to the conventional dentures.

What are the advantages of Partial Dentures?

Partial dentures are one of the most popular options to replace missing teeth. This is so because they are convenient and affordable. Here are some advantages of partial dentures:

  • Quick and simple treatment: For partial dentures, no teeth are needed to be extracted, no implants to be placed nor any cumbersome tooth preparation is needed. It is a simple procedure and is a quick solution to replace missing teeth without great hassles.
  • Removable: These appliances can be removed to clean and store them. You can carry out your normal oral hygiene routine after removing them.
  • Hassle free: Fit in with your existing teeth without disturbing them and complete your arch. No harm is done to your existing teeth.
  • Easy to maintain: They are easy to take care of since they’re removable. They can be removed and brushed with toothbrush and water, so no worries of food getting stuck or infections.

What are the alternatives to Partial Dentures?

Although partial dentures are a popular choice, many alternatives may be better suited to the patients particular needs. The main alternatives to partial dentures are Bridges and Implants. 

In summary, Bridges are made by putting crowns on teeth adjoining either side of the gap and then joining these two crowns together by placing a fake tooth (pontic) in the space. Implants are titanium-screw retained teeth that are surgically placed in the jaw. Multiple teeth can be replaced by creating bridges supported by implants.

Your Dentist may also recommend other methods, including the use of a combination of crowns and partial dentures to keep the retaining clips out of sight. These are specialized dentures. Get in touch with us to discuss a suitable solution to your dental case. At Deutsche Technik Dental Lab, our skilled dental technicians produce state of the art Dentures with the help of cutting edge tools and technologies. A list of our denture offerings is available here.

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What are Partial Dentures? - Deutsche Technik