Dentures and Partials
A smile just isn’t a smile if it’s incomplete. Missing teeth cause a host of problems, from difficulty speaking and eating to low self-confidence to jawbone deterioration. Don’t give up on your smile! Advances in dental materials and technology have made full and partial dentures more lifelike and comfortable than ever.
What is a Partial?
A partial denture, commonly referred to as simply a partial, or RPD, consists of multiple teeth on a gum colored base. The teeth are not in a row, but rather spread across the base to fit like a puzzle with your existing teeth. A partial is normally secured with clips or brackets, but unlike a bridge, a partial is removable and should be taken out every night when you sleep.
What is a Denture?
A complete denture is a complete top or bottom row of teeth mounted on a gum-colored base. Dentures can be closed or open palate, and they may require denture adhesive to hold them in place.
Implant-Supported Dentures and Partials
Dental implants are titanium posts anchored into your jawbone. If you prefer a secure full or partial denture and do not want clips or adhesive, then consider implant-supported dentures. Also called an over denture, in a brief surgery, an implant dentist can place a few dental implant posts to hold your dentures in place. Many dentists now believe two implants to retain a bottom complete denture to be the “standard of care” and Dr. Fantaski could not agree more! Additionally, depending on your case, if you are interested in a complete upper denture without the palate (think of a horseshoe shape), at least 4 implants can be placed to anchor your upper teeth in place. With implant-supported dentures, you won’t have to worry about slippage or adhesive, and your prosthetic will feel safe and sound while eating and talking! Many patients describe the process of taking an existing denture or partial and fitting it for implants to be “life changing”! Even though your denture will be “locked in”, you still need to take it out at night and be sure to keep your gums, the implants, and your denture clean!
Denture Relines
As you grow and age, your bones and body changes. Your dentures, when they are made, are designed to fit your jaw exactly. After time, your jaw will change and we can adjust your denture but not change it significantly. Thats where a reline comes in. If you are happy with your denture’s esthetics, but just wish for it to fit better, we can perform either a hard or soft reline procedure to modify the part of your dentures that rest on your gums, and get them fitting like new.
FAQ and Post-Op Instructions…
After getting fitted for your dentures, your dentist will likely want to see you for follow up visits after delivery. Please try to wear your denture or partial all day during the day, even if its sore, the day of and the day before your appointment. This will show your dentist where to adjust the denture for better fit. We always recommend that denture and partial patients remove their prosthesis at night, store it in water (to avoid letting the acrylic dry out!) preferably with your favorite Denture Cleaning tablet, and brush your gums and tongue every night and every morning with a soft toothbrush. Also please brush your dentures, but not with a toothbrush, there is a special denture brush that is less abrasive and won’t wear away your denture.
If you have never worn dentures before, there is an adjustment period to undertake. You can’t use a partial or a complete denture to bite into an apple like you could with teeth, but its much easier to eat with than just gums! Some patients adjust in as little as week, and others take as long as 6 weeks. Please be patient with yourself and your new prosthesis, and give it its best chance for success! You will have to re-train your tongue to help keep it in place, and to talk normally, but the reward is worth it! If you have any questions or concerns, please ask your dentist at your follow up visits!