At Bismarck Advanced Dental and Implants we offer full and partial dentures to our patients. Dentures are essentially permanent or removable replacements for missing teeth. Full dentures are for patients who have no natural teeth, whereas partial dentures are designed for patients missing only a few teeth. To qualify for a partial denture a patient must have one or more natural teeth. Partial dentures use the remaining natural teeth to hold the mouthpiece in place and create more stability.
Everything You Need To Know About Partial Dentures
Our partial dentures are natural looking devices that help patients restore the functionality in their jaws as well as add replacements for their missing teeth. When a patient has gaps and missing teeth their jaw, mouth, facial muscles, and gum may become stiff and inactive which limits their movement and functionality over time. Their other teeth are also likely to begin moving around to fill in the spaces. Soft tissues within the mouth also have a tendency to shrink when there are missing teeth which can lead to an altered appearance and other problems. Dentures prevent these issues and eliminate the possibility of further dental problems by providing a structure and restoring the shape of the mouth.
Types of Partial Dentures We Offer
At Bismarck Advanced Dental and Implants we aim to please all of our patients no matter the types of problems they are experiencing. At our office we offer two types of partial dentures: fixed and overdentures.
Fixed
Fixed dentures are partial replacements for missing teeth that are permanently fixed on to the surrounding teeth. Similar to a bridge the false teeth will be placed to replace the gap and the teeth on either side will be used to anchor them down. There are usually three components that make up a fixed partial denture including the pontic, retainer, and connector. These are ideal for patients wanting a permanent solution to their problem of missing teeth.
Overdentures
Partial overdentures are similar to fixed dentures in that they are designed for patients with one or more natural teeth, but overdentures are removable. While in the mouth the piece is attached to the surrounding natural teeth, but can easily be removed while the patient is sleeping or eating. These dentures have advantages and disadvantages but do require more maintenance than fixed dentures do.
Expectations for Partial Denture Preparation and Placement
Dentures can improve a patient’s quality of life dramatically by allowing restoration to their teeth and mouth. Full and partial dentures can restore a person’s ability to chew and speak despite their tooth loss. During the first visit to our office for your partial dentures, your dentist will examine your mouth and ensure your oral health is sufficient. Good oral health is crucial with dentures because they need enough structure to be attached. Your dentist may also take a mold of your natural teeth and gaps to help them with a better idea in the making of your partial dentures. The discussion of which type of denture is most fitting for you and your situation will also likely occur on the first visit.
At the following visit, your dentist will examine your natural teeth once more and decide on if any of the remaining teeth need to be extracted. The dentist may also give you temporary dentures to promote faster healing of the soft tissues and make it so you don’t have to go without teeth while your custom dentures are being made. Once your gums are completely healed and your custom partial dentures are made, your dentist will place it. There may be further adjustments needed to the color, size and shape and these will likely be made during the same appointment. Once completed, your dentist will discuss maintenance and care needed for your partial dentures to ensure they last as long as possible for you. This would also be the time to ask any questions or get clarification on anything you need to.
If you are missing teeth and have gaps in your smile you want to be fixed, visit our office today to schedule an appointment with our excellent dentists.
