Partial dentures do a remarkable job of restoring your smile if you have missing teeth along with some remaining healthy, natural teeth.
If you decide to choose partial dentures, you can have them the same day, thanks to the in-office dental lab at Northwest Dental Services & Denture Implant Center and our expert denturists (specialists who design, fabricate, fit, and repair dentures).
Here’s what you need to know about partial dentures, the number of teeth they can replace, and how to care for them.
There’s no set number of teeth that partial dentures can replace. Partial dentures may be a good option if you’re missing one or several teeth, including several teeth in more than one area.
For example, you might be missing several teeth on both sides of the same jaw or in the upper and lower jaws.
When deciding whether you’re a good candidate for partial dentures, there’s another crucial consideration beyond the number of missing teeth: You must also have healthy, natural teeth remaining.
Partial dentures typically attach to your remaining teeth. That means you need enough natural teeth to do the job, and they must be healthy enough to support the denture.
If all the teeth in the top or bottom jaw or both are missing, or if the remaining teeth are so damaged they must be removed, you’ll need full dentures.
In some cases, we may recommend partial dentures supported by dental implants. The dentures are made of prosthetic teeth in a base resembling your gums. The base has clasps or precision attachments that attach to the adjacent teeth.
However, you have another option. We can also provide stable, tooth-root-like support for partial dentures with dental implants. After we insert the implant into your jaw, the bone grows and bonds with the implant, firmly holding it in place.
The implant is below the gumline, but we place a piece on top of it (the abutment) that rises above your gums. Your partial dentures connect to the abutment, creating a secure connection that prevents loose dentures.
Partial dentures can snap on and off the implant, making them similar to dentures that you remove from your mouth to clean. Or, we can permanently affix the partial dentures to the implants.
In addition to the added cost of the dental implants, this procedure also takes longer to complete. The bone needs 2-6 months to fuse with the implant. We can’t use the implant to support dentures until the bone fully heals.
Dentures can last a long time with diligent care. Here are a few tips to follow for removable partial dentures:
Clean partial dentures after every meal, if possible, but always at night. Use a soft-bristled denture brush and non-abrasive denture cleaner (instead of toothpaste).
You should soak your dentures overnight in a denture solution or plain water. (Don’t use hot water.) This prevents them from drying out and warping. Rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.
Be sure to brush your gums, tongue, and remaining teeth twice daily.
Dentures can develop cracks and chips over time, especially if you chew on ice or hard objects. Schedule an appointment to have them repaired in our in-office dental lab as soon as you notice damage.
The shape of your mouth naturally changes over time. As a result, it’s common for removable partial dentures to require refitting or relining to ensure your comfort.
Our Northwest Dental Services & Denture Implant Center team is here to answer your questions, evaluate your teeth and gums, and determine the best option for replacing missing teeth. Schedule an appointment today by calling the Takoma or Lakewood, Washington, office.
