What Are Partial Dentures?

Our smiles can brighten others’ days, reveal the secrets of our personalities, and even invite others into our personal space. But when parts of our teeth are fragmented, crooked, or missing, we can lose self-confidence and smile less often. Fortunately, we have the solution to missing teeth.

If you have significant gaps created by missing teeth, you should consider getting partial dentures from Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry. We provide a number of services for dentures, including complete dentures and overdentures. Contact us today to schedule a partial dentures appointment or to learn more about our available general dentistry services.

Who Needs Partial Dentures?

Everyone deserves a beautiful smile. When you lose a tooth, the teeth surrounding it can tilt or shift to fill the empty space. These changes can affect your bite and put additional pressure on your teeth and jaws, as well as the surrounding tissues. People with missing teeth also may find it more difficult to adequately clean their teeth and gums, as shifted teeth can be harder to clean. This can result in tooth decay or gum disease.

Patients who have lost multiple teeth in the top or bottom of their jaw may benefit from getting partial dentures. There are numerous reasons why people lose their teeth, including injuries, teeth extractions, and tooth decay, among other common oral conditions. Whatever the reason, it is important that your remaining teeth maintain their health. At Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry, we have professionals who leverage their wealth of experience and passion for the benefit of our patients and their oral health. Contact us today!

Types Of Partial Dentures

Partial dentures can be made using a variety of manufacturing techniques and materials. The ideal type and composition of denture for you will depend on a number of factors, such as the location, the number of teeth on the denture, and your preference for permanent or temporary dentures.

Whether you need partial dentures for front teeth or partial dentures for back teeth, our Gainesville dentistry team is here to help you obtain the optimal solution for your needs.

Removable Partial Dentures

Removable partial dentures are best for patients with significant gaps in their teeth. Unlike full dentures, which replace all natural teeth, partial dentures are used when one or more teeth are missing in the upper and/or lower jaw. They also typically come with a type of clasp that is attached to your natural teeth, allowing them to be easily removed for cleaning or storage. Removable partial dentures offer the convenience of removability, the aesthetic enhancement of replacing lost teeth, and the oral health benefits of preventing surrounding teeth from shifting from their natural positions.

Flexible Partial Dentures

Flexible dentures may be an appropriate alternative to removable partial dentures for patients with an allergy to acrylic and for patients who find cast metal and acrylic severely uncomfortable. This type of partial denture features thin, lightweight thermoplastic materials molded to fit accurately over the gum tissues. While removable partial dentures typically use metal clasps, flexible partial dentures use gum-colored clasps. Unfortunately, however, due to the production process involved with flexible dentures, this type of denture can be more challenging to reline and repair, resulting in the need for a replacement should any damage occur to the denture.

Implant-Supported Fixed Bridge

For patients who are missing one or more teeth, a fixed bridge may be a beneficial option. This type of dental implant uses small posts that are permanently placed in the mouth during oral surgery. This can be a beneficial investment for patients seeking to improve their appearance and oral health with implants, as implant-supported fixed bridges can last for many years and offer the benefit of high durability.

Benefits Of Removable Partial Dentures

Partial dentures offer many benefits to people who have missing teeth. For example, they provide support to facial muscles. When natural teeth are removed from our bones, our cheeks and jaws often droop due to the lack of structural support. This drooping can make you look older than you actually are. Faces may also become tender and develop wrinkles at a faster rate than they would otherwise.

In addition, partial dentures have an almost identical look to natural teeth. This way, you will not have to face the embarrassment of others knowing that you are missing natural teeth.

Partial Dentures Are Easy To Clean

Just as natural teeth have to be properly cared for, partial dentures must be maintained as well. The good news is that keeping your partial dentures sanitized is simple. It requires brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove bacteria, mouth rinses after meals, and soaks in recommended cleaners.

Since partial dentures will often become brittle and break if they become dry, we offer gentle solutions to keep your dentures moist when they are not being used. If you choose partial dentures, all that you have to do is continue good oral hygiene care — brushing and rinsing the mouth with mouthwash. You should also keep your tongue and gums clean to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Partial Dentures Assist With Everyday Functions

While it is clear that partial dentures serve a cosmetic purpose, they also provide biological functions. Missing teeth often cause pain and discomfort when eating. Partial dentures, on the other hand, replace the gaps in our mouths, allowing for successful and comfortable chewing. You will be able to properly process your food. Further, you won’t have to avoid foods that you love the most and you can enjoy meals with loved ones without having to worry about your meal choices.

Partial Dentures Help Improve Speech

Another benefit of partial dentures is the ability to speak clearly. Public speaking has been proven to be one of the greatest fears that people face. Missing teeth can add to such anxiety.

You should invest in partial dentures because they can assist with proper communication. Words will flow easily and people will be able to understand you without the typical complications of speaking with missing teeth.

What Are The Right Dentures For Me?

Our general dentists will create your partial dentures. When doing so, they take a number of different factors into account, such as the anatomy of your mouth, your remaining teeth, your bite and teeth alignment, your oral health requirements, and your cosmetic goals.

Patients should take into account any allergies they may have, whether or not they mind the visibility of metal clips in their partial dentures, and the cost of each available appliance. Your dentist with Van Dyke General and Implant Surgery can help you make the right choice when it comes to choosing the ideal partial dentures for your desires and needs. Contact our Gainesville dentistry office today!

Adjusting To Your Partial Dentures

As with any change, getting partial dentures may require an adjustment period. We encourage you to keep in close communication with your dentist throughout your dentures journey and follow the instructions provided. Each patient may have a different experience with getting used to their dentures. However, there are a number of key steps that can help make the process of adjusting to dentures easier. You should continue to wear your dentures as your mouth adapts to them and see your dentist as needed for realignment and adjustments.

When choosing foods, you should stick to soft foods, avoid sticky or hard foods, cut foods into small pieces before eating them, bite and chew carefully and slowly, and use both sides of your mouth to chew. With regard to speaking with dentures, your speech will improve with practice. Try reading aloud to get used to talking while wearing your partial dentures. Clean your dentures daily with a denture cleanser and denture brush (your dentist will provide you with all the information you need regarding denture care). Finally, remember to take out and store your dentures at bedtime. This will provide your gums with adequate time to recuperate while you sleep.