What Are Partial Dentures?
Dentures can be an excellent, long-lasting, and convenient approach to dealing with missing teeth. They’re highly customizable and easily removable, making them ideal for plenty of situations. But many people don’t realize—they don’t have to come in a full arch. Instead, you can get something called “partial dentures.”
Partial dentures are a type of denture customized to the unique layout of your teeth. If you’re only missing a few teeth, partial dentures are designed to fill in the gaps, without replacing any existing teeth. This way, you can enjoy a bright, full smile—all with the help of a simple pair of dentures!
The Basics of Dentures
When you have several missing teeth, dental implants—though possible—may be complicated to install. And for many people, they aren't suitable. Implants require a certain level of bone strength and density, along with many other factors, to be a viable solution. So if you can't get an implant to replace missing teeth, what options are left?
This is when dentures become an ideal solution. They're custom-made dental appliances designed to replace several, or all, missing teeth. This helps to:
Restore the aesthetic of your smile
Give you the ability to chew, speak, and smile
Maintain your facial shape
Prevent remaining teeth from shifting
Enhance your overall oral health and confidence
When thinking about dentures, most people imagine an entirely removable full arch of teeth. However, this isn't always the case. If you only need to replace a few teeth, partial dentures might be the right call.
How do Partial Dentures Work?
Partial dentures are exactly what they sound like—they aren't a full arch of teeth. Rather, your dentist designed them to fill in the gaps where any missing teeth used to be. They're highly customizable and will be designed to match your unique smile in both colour, size, and pattern, to give you back your natural bright and full smile.
Partial dentures are entirely removable. They consist of:
Replacement teeth
A gum-coloured plastic base to hold the teeth
Metal framework to hold these parts together
These parts clip into your existing teeth to stay in place. And partial dentures aren't just about giving you back your smile! Partial dentures prevent the other teeth in your mouth from shifting over time, which helps to maintain your overall dental structure. In some situations, partial dentures can be used in unison with implants to improve the fit and stability while reducing the size of the dentures.
How to Care for Your Dentures
When you have dentures, proper care is essential. Because they clip in and out of your mouth, they can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria without proper care.
So to maintain their longevity, make sure that you're regularly cleaning them by:
Removing the dentures often, rinsing them under lukewarm water to remove any food particles. Do not use hot or boiling water as this can warp the dentures
Using a soft-bristled denture brush and non-abrasive denture cleaner to thoroughly clean the entire surface area of the dentures.
Soaking them overnight in a denture cleaning solution. This helps to keep them free from bacteria and plaque buildup. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the soaking process to ensure the best care.
Brushing your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth with a soft brush and toothpaste every morning before inserting your dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues and helps remove any leftover plaque.
Make sure you're also regularly visiting the dentist to check the fit and condition of your dentures. Even with proper care, you'll need to replace them at some point; it can be difficult to prevent natural wear and tear. Plus, your mouth and dental structure may change over time, so you'll need to regularly get your dentures adjusted to keep them comfortable and secure.
Where to Learn More About Partial Dentures
If you're living with missing teeth, partial dentures might just be the answer you're looking for. So reach out to our team here at Shine Dental! We can examine your teeth and help find the right approach to restoring your smile. Request an appointment with us today, and let's work together to keep you smiling bright and full!