What is a Partial?

Partials restore the jaw and replace missing teeth by combining metal and acrylic to form fit into your mouth, filling up the missing gaps and deformities in the mouth to reshape it back to health. Partials, or partial dentures, restore the integrity of the mouth and give a natural-looking smile, making it an almost seamless replacement for losing, damaged, or infected teeth. In this article, we’ll inform you over everything you need to know about partial dentures to help you determine if partial dentures are the best option for you.

Partial Dentures: How Do They Work?

Partial dentures contain replacement teeth made of either acrylic, porcelain, or metal, all held in together by a metal or acrylic base to match the color of your teeth and gums. As your mouth develops and changes over time, the partial dentures can be adjusted to fit your mouth to keep your mouth sturdy, healthy, and teeth in line. Partial dentures, especially when compared to implants, are typically less expensive and range from $600 to 1900.

How Does My Dentist Make Partials?

When your dentist develops your partials, your dentist will most likely require you to schedule multiple appointments to help solidify the process. If your dentist has determined that partials will work best for you, they will first begin the process by making impressions of your mouth with alginate, a powerful compound made from seaweed added to water to form into putty materiel. After the first impressions are made, your dentist will create a model from either beeswax or plastic, and then have you try the partials on for fitting. After you and your dentist choose the right denture, then your dentist will make minor adjustments with precision attachments and solidify your dentures for your use.

How Do I Determine If I Need A Partial Denture?

If at any point in your life, you lose an adult tooth or a series of adult teeth, then you’ll most likely need partial dentures to make up for the space in your mouth that’s necessary for your health. When a person loses a tooth, the surrounding teeth and jawline will attempt to compensate for space, causing cleaning and flossing to be your teeth much harder. If this continues, gum disease and tooth decay will have a higher chance of occurring, and those who are older will experience their chin and jawline move up and forward as the gums begin to shrink. The muscles in the mouth will lose their strength, and a facial collapse could occur.

With partial dentures, the mold will help keep your mouth aligned, your jawline sturdy, and your gums and teeth aligned into place. If you believe you may need a partial denture or are experiencing pain and discomfort in your teeth, gums, and jawline, then contact Dr. John Batlle at Southwest Family Dentistry. Located in Lake City, Florida, Dr. Batlle and his team of dentists will be able to help you get regular checkups, examinations, and partial dentures with quality services. If you need an appointment, contact Dr. Batlle today.