Partial dentures are quite popular these days. Dentists rely on it to replace several lost or missing teeth of a patient. But it cannot replace an entire set of teeth, either lower or upper. To get partial dentures it is also important to have some healthy remaining of teeth in the upper and lower jaws. In this blog post let us explore partial dentures. Let us cover the varieties or types, cost and materials that these are made up of. If you have suffered from teeth loss, in that case you can talk to your dentist about whether partial dentures are suitable for you.
Partial dentures – a brief introduction
Partial dentures replace more than one tooth in your upper or lower jaw. These are usually removable dentures. If you think these are mere cosmetic appliances you are wrong. These are more than cosmetic appliances. Partial dentures can also help a wearer with improved chewing and speech abilities. In addition to that this range of dentures also preserves the placement of the remaining teeth in the mouth. In absence of partial dentures those teeth remaining are likely to shift in course of time.
The range of dentures is meant to be worn round the clock. However dentists all over the world recommend removing partial dentures from the mouth at night and dentists in the UK are no exception. When you are not wearing your partial dentures at night, it is the best time to clean the appliance suggests a dentist who quotes reasonable cost for dentures in London.
An extensive research was carried out in 2017 to understand why it is extremely necessary to keep your partial dentures clean. The research showed if your partial dentures are not cleaned regularly it increases the chances of developing cavities in the healthy teeth nearby. This is obvious as you cannot brush around those teeth properly.
We already know that partial dentures are removable. Then there are concerns over their fitting and appearance. All these factors can make this treatment option less popular at times.
When do you need partial dentures?
You can benefit from switching over to partial dentures if you have suffered the loss of multiple teeth in the upper or the lower jaw. Your teeth could be lost because of injury, decay or surgical extraction by a dentist.
Whatever may be the cause of your teeth loss, it is important to ensure that the remaining teeth remain healthy and strong for the rest of life. Considering the remaining teeth in your mouth your dentist constructs partial dentures for you. If the remaining teeth are not very healthy in that case the dentist may recommend you full dentures instead of partial dentures. However while recommending full dentures, the dentist will also tell you to extract the remaining teeth in the mouth.
Different types of partial dentures to choose from
Partial dentures are made from various materials. There are also different manufacturing techniques involved. As a result there are varieties of partial denture options available to you. Before selecting a particular type of partial denture it is important to consider a few factors carefully. Those factors include the following –
Exact location in the mouth
Partial dentures are used to either repair or replace either the front portion (anterior) of the teeth or the back portion (posterior). A detail study on mouth was carried out in 2017. It showed who has partial dentures on the front or anterior of the teeth were more satisfied than the rest. One of the reasons for the satisfaction was certainly the dentures made a significant contribution in improving the smile of those people. The dentures, as such, also helped people bite into their foods with greater ease and convenience. On the other side of the spectrum, posterior dentures help both speaking and eating. Thus this range of dentures too ensures satisfaction.
The number of teeth supported by dentures
Partial dentures do not only prove an excellent option in replacing your lost or missing teeth. There is also the option of full dentures. It replaces an entire set of missing teeth on your upper or lower jaws. If there a few teeth still existing in that case dentists extract those teeth to make way for full dentures says a dentist with years of experience in handling cases on dentures in London.
Bridges are yet another type of replacement for your natural teeth. Bridges are much similar to partial dentures. Both the options replace only a few lost or missing teeth. But the two have their distinct differences too. For example bridges are usually placed on one side of the mouth. But partial dentures can easily replace teeth on both sides of the mouth. Bridges are permanent glued to their location in the mouth. Partial dentures, on the other hand, are usually removable. Usually dentists recommend partial dentures when there are three adjacent teeth or more missing from your gum line.
The question of durability
Dentists do not always give permanent dentures to patients. They are even known to give temporary solution in form of temporary dentures. This usually happens when decaying or damaged teeth are to be extracted. Partial dentures usually replace those decayed or damaged teeth. A large number of dentists opine that permanent dentures are to be placed at least after 6 months following a tooth extraction. By a period of 6 months the extraction site heals up completely and thus this is the best time to place permanent dentures.
Denture materials
Some of the best dentures in London have either plastic (that is resin) or a metal base. Usually a mixture of cobalt and chromium is used in these cases. Larger partial dentures are made using Titanium. It is important to note that as per a research carried out in 2017, titanium triggers inflammatory reactions in about 0.6% of patients. You should keep this fact in mind before going for partial dentures.
Dentures with plastic bases are much less expensive than those with metal bases. Metal bases are obviously are more durable and even lighter than their resin or plastic counterparts. But plastic dentures or those made from polymer offer certain advantages, says a dentist who works in Thousand Smiles.
- These are easier to design and repair
- Being made of plastic or polymer ofcourse there are lighter and much more flexible than their metallic counterparts
- These even provide greater aesthetic appeal as no metallic part remains visible in this range of dentures