Understanding Partial Dentures

Why do people need to replace lost teeth?

As we grow and develop permanent teeth, the bones and muscles of our jaws, head and neck grow to accommodate them. When a tooth is lost, the resulting gap changes the bite pattern, the way we chew food and the way our teeth connect when at rest. Denver dentists know that, as a result, the corresponding muscles and the bones react, causing tension and soreness in the head, neck and jaws. In addition, when teeth are missing it can compromise chewing efficiency, and result in changes in eating habits and other food related ailments. Patients who have lost teeth need to replace them and should consider the fabrication and placement of a partial denture.

Partial dentures are designed to fit snugly among the rest of the healthy teeth.

The first step in creating a partial denture involves making a mold of the area where it will be set. A denture is crafted and fitted by the dentist only when the target area is not affected by inflammation or pain.

Denver dentist offer a variety of materials for denture construction depending on the desired result and the expenses involved. Polymer dentures, for example, resemble natural teeth much more closely and have a greater degree of sturdiness compared to traditional plastic dentures. People willingly pay the extra money for the better result of the polymer dentures.

Caring for partial dentures requires the same effort as caring for a full set of dentures, and should be incorporated into any existing oral hygiene plans. Patients with partial dentures should brush their teeth and their partial after each meal. This makes sure that all possible irritants are rinsed away. Additionally, for safety’s sake and in order to maintain the health of the mouth, partial dentures must be removed at night. In this way saliva can reach the gums and lining of the mouth to help maintain hygiene and the dentures can be immersed in a disinfectant solution.

Partial denture wearers will need to visit their Denver dentists regularly to monitor the condition of their gums and perform any required maintenance.