DENTURES & PARTIAL DENTURES

Dentures are a removable appliance that fits over natural teeth. They are used to cover gaps in the mouth due to missing teeth or as a substitute for missing teeth.

A partial denture is a removable appliance that covers some of the surfaces of your natural teeth.

Dentures are made at a dental laboratory and involve the dentist taking an impression of your mouth and sending the impression to the lab which will create a denture that is custom-made for your mouth. This may require an additional appointment with the dentist or a specialist.

Partial dentures are used when one or more teeth are missing from the upper or lower jaw. They look similar to natural teeth and can be attached easily in comparison with full dentures. Partial dentures can also be made of other materials such as acrylic, polyurethane, silicone, fibreglass and precious metal alloys.

How long do partial dentures last?

Partial dentures are used when the patient has lost some, but not all of their teeth. Partial dentures give an artificial set of teeth a more natural appearance, while also giving them some structural support. Partial dentures are made up of the following components:

Denture base: The denture base is usually made out of acrylic or plastic and sits directly on the gums to hold the partial in place.

Ridge partials: Ridge partials are shaped like a ridge and have a small amount of metal at the top that is designed to attach to the gum tissue. Ridge partials sit on top of the ridge and attach to the gums with small clasps called clasps which are made from metal or plastic.

Partial dentures are an effective way of correcting the loss of some of your natural teeth. One common myth is that these dentures will last as long as you have your real teeth.

This is not true, because they slide around and bend so they cannot stay in a place like natural teeth. That is why they should be put in and taken out by a dentist when you need to clean them. This also means that partial dentures will not last forever, but there is no set time limit for how long they will last.

To schedule a consultation or request more information about available services contact Harini B. Reddy, DMD, LLC, General & Cosmetic Dentistry by phone at (804) 501–0816 or send an email to appointments@drreddyrichmonddentist.com.