Your Guide To Partial Dentures

Dentures have long since been a reliable and affordable solution for missing teeth. However, not everyone requires a full set of dentures. If you have one or more missing teeth and some natural teeth remaining, partial dentures are an alternative that may be perfect for you.

What are partial dentures

When you are missing a full arch of teeth, the obvious choice is to replace missing teeth with a complete or full denture. But what do you do when you have just a few missing teeth in your upper or lower jaw?

That’s where partial dentures come in. As the name implies, partial dentures are designed to fill in the gaps of your smile. Partials will have a plate with one or more artificial teeth attached, and this denture can be made out of metal or a combination of metal and plastic. It is usually held in place by clasps that surround and hold onto the remaining teeth in your mouth. 

If you have just a few missing teeth, you may be debating whether you need a partial denture to replace them. It is very important because missing teeth can cause several problems, such as jawbone deterioration, difficulties with  speech and pronunciation along with difficulty chewing and shifting on surrounding teeth.

Partial dentures can fix many of these issues by replacing your missing teeth, even if they are few in number.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTIAL DENTURES? 

• Restores functionality: With partial dentures in place, you will be able to savour your favourite meals without worry and engage in conversations freely, as they can restore strength to your bite while also making it easier to pronounce words and speak clearly.
• Enhances the appearance of your smile: Improve the appearance of your smile by filling in gaps and boosting your confidence. 
• Prevents shifting of neighbouring teeth: When you have missing teeth, your adjacent teeth can move towards the gap, causing potential issues with the alignment of your teeth. By filling these gaps, partial dentures can prevent such problems from arising while preserving the integrity of the jawbone.
• Customised and comfortable fit:  Partial dentures are custom-made to provide a comfortable fit. Made to match the shape, size and shade of your remaining teeth, these partial dentures can blend in seamlessly with your smile. 

TYPES OF PARTIAL DENTURES

At Purity Dental, we offer different types of partial dentures. Choosing the right type will eventually come down to the individual’s needs, and our dentists will recommend the best-suited solution after assessing your mouth and taking into account factors such as oral health, support of remaining teeth and appearance. 

CAST METAL PARTIAL DENTURES

A metal partial denture is one of the more common types of dentures, known to be an excellent permanent solution that can last many years with the proper care. These provide a more supportive fit as metal dentures often have clasps to keep them in place and can be more accurately contoured to your mouth.  These partial dentures are strong and durable, light and less bulky in the mouth. 

ACRYLIC PARTIAL DENTURES

Acrylic partial dentures are the ideal temporary solution for when your metal dentures are being fabricated. Also known as dental flippers, these partial dentures are supported by metal clasps with the base structure made from a gum-coloured acrylic material and artificial teeth attached to it. While they are less expensive than metal braces, these acrylic flippers can be uncomfortable owing to their bulkiness. 

FLEXIBLE PARTIAL DENTURES

Flexible partial dentures are yet another type of dentures we provide at Purity Dental. These are often the ideal choice for patients allergic or sensitive to metal/acrylic dentures because of the hypoallergenic materials used. Made out of thin plastic, these dentures are more flexible (as the name suggests) and often offer improved comfort since they stick to your gums without using clasps. They are also aesthetically pleasing as they are made from a clear material. These flexible partial dentures can last many years with proper care and cleaning. On the downside, however, denture relines are more difficult, and in most cases, this denture will have to be made anew if any damage occurs.

CARING FOR YOUR PARTIAL DENTURES

Maintaining your partial dentures is as simple as it gets. It’s important to always store your denture overnight to stop it from drying out or becoming brittle. To keep them clean, make sure to rinse your partial denture after eating and use a denture cleaner daily to remove food debris and plaque. Rinse your denture well before placing it back in your mouth. It’s best to come in for regular checkups to ensure your dentures are securely fitted in your mouth.

With proper care, your partial dentures can easily last between 5 and 7 years or longer, depending on the type of dentures and the wearer. 

Want more information on partial dentures? Schedule a consultation with our experienced team at Purity Dental, and we’ll help you decide if this option is the best fit for you! Simply call (03) 9540 8900 today.