When a person has lost some but not all of their teeth, a partial denture may be the desired treatment choice. In this situation, partial dentures can provide a simple and attractive way to replace missing teeth.
Partial dentures are created from an impression of your teeth and gum which ensures a synonymous fit with the rest of your mouth. These appliances are designed to fill in the empty spaces, and to ensure an attractive, gap-free smile. Teeth are selected to match your remaining teeth and complement your individual appearance. Special care is taken to match the size, shape, and color to that of your natural teeth. The result is a seamless replacement that can blend in with your natural teeth.
Retained by small clasps that engage the teeth, the denture will secure itself in your mouth. In the right situation, if properly designed and constructed, your partial denture will be both comfortable to wear and will function in accord with your remaining natural teeth.
Partial dentures will also help to maintain the spacing of your natural teeth. When teeth are lost or removed, the remaining teeth will often shift to eventually fill the gap created by the lost tooth. This change in teeth spacing can affect the way you bite. This can lead to numerous problems, such Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems that could cause headaches, ear aches, clicking or popping sounds, or even difficulty moving your jaw. Partial dentures aim to prevent these problems by working to keep your remaining teeth in their natural position.
When a patient has no teeth, dentures are the first treatment choice to help restore some of the function and of your teeth.
These are dentures that rest on top of surgically placed implants. (Also see IMPLANTS)