Many patients who have lost only a few teeth are ideally suited for partial dentures in these edentulous (toothless) areas. Why do people actually need to replace lost teeth? 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 affect how our teeth sit against each other when not chewing. As a result of this, the corresponding muscles and the bones react, causing tension and soreness in the head, neck and jaws. Moreover, missing teeth may mean changes to a person’s eating habits, potentially resulting in missed nutrients and vitamins. Patients who have lost teeth need to replace them and should consider the fabrication and placement of a partial denture.

Partial dentures are designed to fit snugly among the rest of the healthy teeth. While they are removable, they are usually fitted around the natural teeth with a metal or plastic anchor that holds the partial denture 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. A denture is crafted and fitted by the dentist only when the target area is not affected by inflammation or pain. 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. Dentures are prepared from a variety of materials and the preferred material is chosen based on the desired outcome. Polymer dentures, for example, resemble natural teeth much more closely and have a greater degree of sturdiness compared to traditional plastic dentures. For these reasons, people do not usually mind the extra cost of a polymer denture. Sometimes, when metals are needed to ensure a better fit, the denture will cost a little more.

Taking care of a partial denture is as easy as caring for a full denture and should be integrated into the usual oral hygiene schedule. 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. Additionally, for safety’s sake and in order to maintain the health of the mouth, partial dentures must be removed at night.In this way saliva can reach the gums and lining of the mouth to help maintain hygiene and the dentures can be immersed in a disinfectant solution.

Partial denture wearers will need to visit their dentists regularly to monitor the condition of their gums and perform any required maintenance.