What Are Partial Dentures?
You may have begun to lose teeth, which is a common occurrence. You may have had a recent accident that knocked out a significant portion of your teeth. Whatever the case may be, if you are missing teeth, you’ll likely need dentures. Whether you need partial or full dentures will depend on how many teeth you have lost, and how healthy your remaining teeth are.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are dental prosthetics that are made to look very similar to your natural teeth. Dentures are often made with acrylic, and are both durable and good looking. These teeth replacements allow patients to bite and chew a lot of the foods that they enjoy. They also allow patients to smile again, without feeling self-conscious.
What Are Partial Dentures?
If your and your dentist have decided that dentures are the right replacement option for your needs, you’ll likely be given one of two options—full or partial dentures. Which option you are given depends on how many healthy teeth you have remaining.
Unlike full dentures, partial dentures are held in place using your natural, healthy teeth. Although they are removable, they are able to stay firmly in place when you are biting and chewing.
Why Partial Dentures?
Some form of tooth replacement is important to ensure your ongoing oral health. This is because, when teeth are missing, the healthy teeth will often begin to shift. This, in turn, can lead to a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Having a gap in the teeth can also lead to shrinkage of the jawbone and the gum tissue. This, in turn, can change your natural appearance.
Partial dentures help to keep your healthy teeth from shifting, while also engaging the gums, facial muscles and jawbone of the patient. This helps to maintain the structure of your face.
Other Benefits of Partial Dentures
Along with the oral health benefits of partial dentures, partial dentures are also an excellent way to restore a significant amount of a patient’s bite, and can greatly improve your ability to chew. Partial dentures also help to complete the smile of a patient—allowing you to smile without feeling self-conscious. This, in turn, boosts your mood and self-confidence.
Speak with Your Dentist
If you have a significant amount of missing teeth, speak with your dentist about what replacement options are right for you. If too many teeth are missing, you may need full dentures. If you still have a significant amount of healthy teeth, but not quite enough for a simple dental bridge, your dentist may consider placing a partial bridge.
Ask your dentist about whether a partial bridge is the right solution for you, and feel free to ask any questions about functionality and cost. Your dentist will be happy to answer those questions, and any others that may arise.
Learn more about dentures : How Do Dentures Work?