A removable partial denture is an optimal solution for patients who may be missing one or more teeth in a particular area of their mouth. Removable partial dentures are attached to a gum-colored base which may have a metal framework that helps to hold it in place against the surrounding teeth. These dentures serve to replace missing teeth, restore functionality, and generally improve oral health. When a tooth is lost, and the gap isn’t immediately filled, it can lead to the neighboring teeth to shift; this can create a significant change in your bite and can even cause long-term damage to your gums and jaw bone.
Removable partial dentures are a less invasive method to replace and restore missing teeth than alternative solutions. While they are more cost-effective and less invasive than implants, removable partial dentures require frequent, lifetime upkeep and maintenance. Because these partial dentures are removable and essentially rest on your gums, they need to be frequently cleaned, just like your natural teeth. By cleaning your dentures regularly, you keep your gums healthy and your dentures looking as good as new.
To begin treatment, we will determine if removable partial dentures are the best option for you. Factors such as oral hygiene, the location of the missing tooth gap(s), bone strength, and long-term viability for dentures all determine your treatment plan. Our team will start by taking dental impressions of your teeth which will serve as the mold used to create your dentures. Next, we will review the size, shape, and coloring of each replacement tooth to recreate your natural smile. Once these are determined, we send the molds to a dental lab which creates a mock-up partial denture for you.
During a fitting appointment with our team, we will have you test out the mock-ups to check how they fit, look, and feel in your mouth. This is the time you and our team will make adjustments to the fit or color of the teeth before sending the mock-ups back to the lab for alterations. Remember, your absolute honesty is needed as your feedback shapes the final removable partial denture you will be receiving. Once the final changes have been made to the mock-up, the lab will custom build your dentures. After we receive the final design, your last fitting session will be to make small adjustments for comfort, bite, or fit which can all be made in-house by our team.
At Unverferth Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing best-in-class dental services such as removable partial dentures to ensure your oral hygiene and smile is the best it can be.
For more information on removable partial dentures or to request an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at
(419) 238-4385.