When you lose a tooth as a child, it’s typically cause for celebration and a visit from the Tooth Fairy. But when you’re an adult, a missing tooth can lead to a host of unwanted oral health problems like increased pressure on the remaining teeth and gums, lowered self-confidence, and challenges when eating and speaking. Fortunately, today’s denture materials offer beautiful and affordable solutions that can make it possible to replace your missing teeth with a partial that blends in with the rest.
Partial dentures are designed to replace one or more missing teeth and can be used to fill in gaps where there are no natural teeth left, restoring your smile. They can also help to restore the natural alignment of your jaw and provide a more stable bite, which in turn will improve your chewing abilities and allow you to eat the wide variety of foods you need for good oral health.
There are several types of Partial Dentures available depending on the needs of each individual patient. They can be constructed with either a metal base or a plastic (acrylic) base, and they can use clasps or precision attachments to anchor them in place. The type of partial denture that’s right for you will depend on factors like your budget, your aesthetic preferences, and whether or not you have metal or acrylic allergies.
Traditionally, the most common type of partial denture has been made from acrylic resin, and it’s generally considered a budget-friendly solution for people who are missing one or more of their teeth. However, advances in the technology of dental labs and materials have made it possible to construct dentures from metals that are more durable and more lifelike than ever before. Metal dentures can also be less prone to breaking or cracking, making them a more long-term and reliable option for many patients.
The newer partial dentures that we use at Stomadent are made from metals such as titanium, a nickel-free cobalt-chrome alloy that’s highly biocompatible with human tissue. This allows us to create a framework for the partial that is nearly 400 percent lighter than traditional cobalt-chrome alloys and much more comfortable to wear.
In addition to their durability, these new frameworks allow our technicians to create a partial that is more customizable than previous models. We can produce a partial with a clear or pink base and even use precision attachments that are invisible to others, giving the denture a natural look. These innovations make it possible to create a more custom and natural-looking partial that’s also easier for our patients to use and care for.
As with any dental appliance, a patient’s experience will vary depending on their ability to adapt to wearing the partial and how well they practice regular oral hygiene to protect it. By following some basic tips and scheduling routine visits to your dentist, you can ensure that your new partial denture will serve you well for a very long time.
