Partial dentures are often considered as a course of treatment for those patients looking to replace only a few missing teeth.
Why replace the missing teeth at all? The bones and muscles of our jaw and the entire head region grow according to the shape of our dentition (position and function of the teeth). When we loose teeth, the edentulous (toothless) space changes the way we bite or chew and sometimes affects how our teeth sit against each other when not chewing. This can cause the surrounding bones and muscles to respond, resulting in discomfort or stress in the jaw, head and neck.
Additionally, without a full dentition (set of teeth) we may not be able to chew food properly which can lead to changes in the diet that can further impact health and well being.
The existing healthy teeth are used to anchor the partial denture. Partial dentures can be taken out for cleaning, and are fitted to the real teeth via a metal or plastic anchor to keep them in place.
To make a partial denture, a mold is first made of the exposed gum, neighboring teeth and jaw area where it will be located. Once the dentures are prepared from the material chosen, the dentist will fit them into position so long as the area is free from swelling or tenderness. Temporary dentures may sometimes be recommended for six to twelve weeks, if the area has undergone recent extraction or inflammation to allow the area to heal sufficiently.
Modern dentures are made from a choice of materials, and it is up to the patient to select their material, as it greatly affects cost and appearance. Polymer dentures, for example, resemble natural teeth much more closely and have a greater degree of sturdiness compared to traditional plastic dentures. These are the reasons so many people will opt to pay the higher cost for polymer dentures.
Caring for partial dentures requires the same effort as caring for a full set of dentures, and should be incorporated into any existing oral hygiene plans. People using partial dentures should take them out and brush them when they brush their teeth after a meal. This makes sure that all possible irritants are rinsed away. For further protection and to maintain an overall healthy oral cavity, the denture must be removed at night.
Partial denture wearers will need to visit their Dayton or Centerville dentist regularly to monitor the condition of their gums and perform any required maintenance.