A partial denture is a custom-made, removable prosthetic device, held securely in your mouth by clasping to existing teeth. If you have some remaining natural teeth but wish to fill the gaps left after extractions or tooth loss, then partial dentures are an effective and natural looking alternative. The partial denture design depends on your remaining tooth configuration, but most are made of gum coloured acrylic or metal with artificial teeth attached. Either an upper or lower partial denture can be made for you depending on your needs.
Ongoing advances in dental technology continue to give candidates a plethora of choice. Whether you need to replace just one missing tooth or several, or whether you need partial dentures for the front teeth or back teeth, we can customise a solution for you. After our dental prosthetist assesses your individual situation and number of teeth to be replaced, you will be advised to consider factors like, wearability preference, durability of materials used, appearance and cost before choosing your partial denture.
The types of partial dentures available include acrylic partial dentures, chrome partial dentures, flexible partial dentures like Thermosens and the Ezifit partial denture. The boxes below shows the various types of partial dentures available at our Tweed Heads Denture Clinic.
The most obvious benefit of partial dentures is the way they restore your smile by filling unsightly gaps with replaceable, natural looking teeth. Our appearance and how we present to the world affect our self-perception and self-esteem. Having the confidence to smile and speak clearly without hiding behind your hand, is a huge asset affecting personal relationships and employment prospects.
But the benefits do not stop there. Beyond the aesthetic gains, partial dentures afford stability, stemming bone loss and preserving facial structure integrity which may be compromised when gaps are not filled after teeth are removed or lost. Whether an upper or lower partial denture, your biting and chewing ability is restored so you can enjoy your food again.
Removable partial dentures are not suitable for those who experience seizures because of the risk of choking. A physical or cognitive inability to remove the denture for cleaning and hygiene purposes excludes others.
The cost of partial dentures is highly variable, depending on the complexity of your treatment, the number of teeth extracted, the number of teeth on the partial denture, and the materials it is made of. See our Cost of Dentures page.
If you take good care of your denture by having regular checks with your dental prosthetist, your
acrylic partial denture can last between 5-7 years. Chrome partial dentures should last between 5-10 years. The wear on a partial denture differs with each individual wearer. Dentures should be relined every two years to maintain a good fit which avoids any undue pressure causing cracks and breaks, common in ill-fitting dentures. If you break your denture, Northern Rivers Denture Clinic has your back when it comes to denture repairs.
There is a partial denture to suit everyone’s needs. Your dental prosthetist will advise on the
options most suitable for you and your circumstances. The choice you make will be governed by factors like the number of missing teeth you have, your wearability preference for one type of composition over another, and budget constraints you may have. See our table for a comparison of the different types of partial dentures.
If you take good care of your mouth and abutment teeth (those adjacent to your denture), your partial denture is unlikely to damage natural teeth. Excessive plaque build-up on teeth immediately next to your denture can cause tooth decay or gum disease, but with careful cleaning and flossing you can easily avoid this.
Posted on: 22 November, 2023
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