Partial & Complete Dentures
Dentures (also known as false teeth) are prosthetic teeth worn by those who have lost their natural teeth through injury or illness. There are many different types of dentures designed to address a variety of dental situations. Dentures may be removable or implanted, and they may replace teeth on the lower mandibular arch or the upper maxillary arch.
Those who have lost their teeth find both functional and aesthetic benefits from dentures. Well-made dentures allow the wearer to enjoy all kinds of food, whereas missing teeth or poor dentures significantly restrict chewing ability. Dentures also support the lips and cheeks, improving the appearance of a patient who has lost his or her natural teeth.
Dentures are custom designed to fit each patient’s mouth, and skill and patience are required to create an effective pair. Poorly made dentures can cause significant discomfort and erode the gums and bones of the jaw, leading to greater dental problems. A combination of implants and removable pieces are often the best option. Additionally, dentures help strengthen muscles controlling the facial expressions that require the support of your teeth, rid you of pronunciation problems caused by missing teeth and aid with chewing.
Who is a candidate for dentures?
If you’ve lost, or are losing, all of your teeth a Complete Denture is something to discuss with your Dr. Nenad Vrbancic and Dr. Kenny Gryckiewicz. If some of your teeth remain and are healthy, a partial denture may be your way to a great smile.
This procedure should be thoroughly discussed with your dentist as there are several personal and medical factors to take into consideration. You may instead be a candidate for dental bridges and dental implants as optional procedures.
Partial Dentures
Depending on the teeth remaining in your oral cavity, partial dentures may be completely tooth supported, tissue/tooth supported, and implant/tissue supported.
Partial dentures can be constructed out of a metal and acrylic composition or completely out of acrylic. The design process involved in creating a removable partial (denture) is specific to the patient’s needs. Every effort is made to design a self-cleansing partial denture that preserves the remaining teeth and oral structures.
When a partial denture is designed, the denturist acknowledges that chewing places a strain on the remaining teeth during eating. Partial dentures are designed with this in mind so that the chewing forces can be distributed evenly over the entire remaining teeth and soft tissues. Design modifications to your remaining teeth may be required to help equalize these forces.
Metal partials are considered stronger structurally, thinner and more hygienic than an acrylic partial. Acrylic partials are usually recommended as a transitional or temporary partial. Your denturist will determine the appropriate treatment plan and the appropriate partial denture for you.
A removable partial denture may help preserve the natural tooth placement of your existing teeth. They ensure proper chewing and digestion by thoroughly grinding your food. A properly designed partial denture will assist in support of your existing teeth. A removable partial denture will add enjoyment to your life
What are the benefits of a Removable Partial Denture?
The largest single advantage to this type of RPD (aside from the cost) is that new teeth and new denture base can easily be added to an existing treatment RPD. These are frequently fabricated even if the remaining teeth have existing decay or periodontal disease and their prognosis is doubtful. If later in the course of treatment some of the existing natural teeth are extracted for any reason, new false teeth can be added quickly to the partial, maintaining the patient’s appearance.