partial dentures

When one or more of your natural teeth remain on the upper or lower jaw, a removable partial denture can be made. It may be all plastic (acrylic) with clasps or it may be metal with plastic (acrylic) with clasps or precision attachments. The partial is held in place by clasps or attachments and fit onto the natural teeth remaining in the mouth.

How Are Partial Dentures Made?

Like complete dentures, your dentist takes an impression of your jaw, along with measurements of how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them (bite relationship). The color (shade) of your teeth will be determined either from your natural teeth or a partial denture you may already have. The impression, bite and shade are given to the dental laboratory so a partial denture can be made to fit only you. If the partial denture is to be made of metal and acrylic, the dental laboratory makes a mold (model) and wax forms or plastic patterns are placed in the exact shape and position that the metal is to be in. The "lost wax" technique is used to replace the wax patterns with metal. Once the metal framework has been cast, it is then polished and is ready for the teeth and plastic (acrylic) to be placed.

If the partial denture is to be all-acrylic with clasps, the dental laboratory makes a mold (model) and a wax representation of the partial, including teeth. At times, a "wax try-in" will be done at the dentist's office so any adjustments may be done before the partial is completed. The partial is then completed at the dental laboratory in a similiar manner as complete dentures.

Wearing Your Partial Denture

Your partial denture is made to fit your mouth easily. It should not be necessary to force the partial in place. Care should be taken when placing or removing your partial so that the clasps are not bent or broken. It is very important that you wear your denture every day. If you don't wear your partial for an extended period of time, the partial may not fit as well as it should.

Over time, your mouth will change. The bone and gum areas may shrink or recede, causing the space between the jaws to change. Because your partial keeps its shape, adjustments will be needed to keep your partial fitting properly. Always consult your dentist rather than trying to fix the problem yourself. Never bend any part of the metal yourself. Doing so may weaken the metal structure.

Caring for Your Partial Denture

• Rinse your partial after every meal.
• Clean your partial thoroughly at least once a day, using a toothbrush, tap water and toothpaste. Don't use alcohol, abrasive cleaners, bleaches, whiteners or boiling water to clean or soak your partial.
• Partial dentures normally should be worn at night. Dentures can dry out and distort if left outside a moist environment. Keep your partial immersed in tap water or denture cleansing solution whenever you are not wearing them.