When you imagine dentures, you’re probably picturing full dentures rather than partial dentures. Full dentures are those (usually acrylic) appliances consisting of a full set of prosthetic teeth. When you peruse the denture market, you may notice full dentures are the most common type — immediate dentures are your full-toothed prelude to a more permanent pair. Implant overdentures are an even more permanent iteration of full dentures, snapping onto — as the name may suggest — existing dental implants.
Because full dentures are so common, you’d be forgiven for overlooking partial dentures: dentures containing an incomplete set of prosthetic teeth. In this blog post, we’re going to examine the myth that only the toothless wear dentures — and bust it wide open!
Partial Dentures: The Lesser-Known Cousin of Full Dentures
Partial dentures may look incomplete or as if they’ve had chunks removed, but that’s exactly how they’re meant to be. A partial denture is the perfect solution for someone who has some teeth missing, but not all of them. Following the same process required for any set of new cosmetic dentures, partial dentures are custom-fitted to the patient — the customisation is just a lot more apparent, seeing as it will directly contrast their mouth’s unique arrangement of teeth. Almost all partial dentures will look a little different somehow.
Whether you’ve lost a few teeth to age, disease, or an accident (which could have been prevented with a custom-made mouthguard), a partial denture or two is a great way to bridge the gaps. There’s no need to remove perfectly healthy teeth purely for the sake of fitting full dentures!
A Little More About Partial Dentures
At Direct Denture Care, our partial dentures are made from one of three materials: acrylic, thermoplastic nylon, or vitallium. Acrylic is the most cost-effective and the easiest to alter or reline, so it’s great for people missing significant portions of teeth or requiring tooth extraction at a later stage. Thermoplastic nylon is a convenient choice, as its prosthetic teeth slot directly into teeth sockets, negating the need for metal retainers. Vitallium, a type of cast metal, is thin, small, and strong, providing optimal support for teeth. It’s always best to chat with your denturist about which type would suit you best.
Some patients express confusion about how partial dentures fit over the gum. Unlike their full-bodied cousins, they cannot stay in place via suction due to their ‘incomplete’ design. Most partial dentures contain metal retainers or clasps, which anchor themselves to natural teeth. If this setup sounds too fiddly, you may prefer the thermoplastic nylon design that finds a way around this. Overall, partial dentures are an often-overlooked appliance offering the ultimate compromise between full dentures and dental bridges or single implants.
Maintaining Your Dentures
Whether you wear full or partial dentures, it’s important to keep them compatible with your mouth. Your mouth’s shape changes constantly, which is why you should get a denture reline every two to three years. During a denture reline, your base will be replaced with a newly fitted one, making for a more comfortable and hygienic experience. Food particles will be far less likely to catch beneath a newly relined denture.
Dentures are delicate, and accidents can happen. If you drop or break your dentures, you should never try your hand at DIY denture repairs, as this can further compromise their delicate structure. Instead, contact the professionals at Direct Denture Care and request our emergency denture repairs. We have the technical skills and precision to piece your dentures back together.
Teeth Still Intact?
So, there you have it — dentures aren’t just for the toothless. Featuring both full and partial subtypes, dentures are a lot more inclusive than the myth may have had you believe. If you think dentures could improve your life, schedule your consultation at Direct Denture Care today so that we can find your perfect fit. Don’t let a myth stand between you and better-quality speaking and eating experiences.
