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Who Should Get a Removable Partial Denture Prosthesis?

Your smile is important. It is one of the things people often judge you by, and gaping holes are unattractive to say the least. Having missing teeth also causes your existing teeth to shift and leaves gaps between them. That is not only unattractive, but it also causes uneven bites that create other medical conditions such as popping jaws and pain while chewing. You can have those missing teeth replaced with a partial denture. Your dentist will create the perfect match for your teeth and fit them so they are comfortable and look natural.

  1. Are You a Candidate for a Partial Denture Prosthesis?

    • In order to be a good candidate for a partial denture, the teeth surrounding the site need to be in good condition and firmly set in the gums. This is because partial dentures are held in place by thin wires or plastic that wrap around the tooth directly on each side of the area to be covered. Partial dentures can even fill in missing teeth in various areas on your upper or lower gum line.

    Types Of Partial Dentures

    • There are three types of partial. The most commonly recognized one is the "flipper," which is made of hard acrylic plastic. They are quick to make; in some cases, they can even be made the same day if you are having teeth pulled. Your dentist can take a mold of your mouth while the tooth is still in place, send the cast off to the lab and have the denture constructed while he pulls your teeth and place the denture immediately before you leave his office. The second type is a metal-cast partial denture that looks much like the acrylic "flipper" type but is stronger and less prone to breaking. The final type is a partial denture made of a thin rubber that is more comfortable to wear, lasts longer than the other types of partial dentures and looks more natural.

    Partial Denture Prosthesis Costs

    • Partial dentures vary in cost depending on the number of teeth missing. In general, you can look to spend between $800 and $1500 per appliance.

    Partial Creation Procedure

    • Your dentist will take a plaster cast mold of your mouth so that the lab creating your partial denture can make a perfect fit. Then she will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap where the denture prosthetic will set so they are shaped properly to hold the appliance in place. Your dentist will also match the color of your existing teeth to a color chart to ensure the new fake teeth match well.

    Taking Care of Your Partial

    • There is little care needed for dentures other than basic cleaning. When not in use, keeping them submersed in water so they do not dry out.

    Other Options

    • You can replace one or more missing teeth with implants that screw into the jaw bone and are a permanent replacement that are not taken out and will not slip or fall out on their own. Dental implants are the most useful form of tooth replacement but are extremely expensive. They will cost between $1,500 and $2,000 per tooth.

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