Dentures

When one or more natural teeth remain on the upper or lower jaw, a removable partial denture may be made. It may be all plastic (acrylic) with clasps or it may be metal with plastic (acrylic) with clasps or precision attachments.

The clasps or attachments are what hold the partial in place in the mouth. They are designed to fit your mouth easily. They should never need a lot of pressure to fit onto the natural teeth remaining in the mouth.

Like complete dentures, your dentist takes an impression of your jaw, along with measurements of how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them (bite relationship). The color (shade) of your teeth will be determined either from your natural teeth or a partial denture you may already have. The impression, bite and shade are given to the dental laboratory so a partial denture can be made to fit only you.

If the partial denture is to be made of metal and acrylic, the dental laboratory makes a mold (model) and wax forms or plastic patterns are placed in the exact shape and position that the metal is to be in. The "lost wax" technique is used to replace the wax patterns with metal. Once the metal framework has been cast, it is then polished and is ready for the teeth and plastic (acrylic) to be placed.

If the partial denture is to be all-acrylic with clasps, the dental laboratory makes a mold (model) and a wax representation of the partial, including teeth. At times, a "wax try-in" will be done at the dentist's office so any adjustments may be done before the partial is completed. The partial is then completed at the dental laboratory in a similiar manner as complete dentures.

Your partial denture is made to fit your mouth easily. It should not be necessary to force the partial in place. Care should be taken when placing or removing your partial so that the clasps are not bent or broken.

It is very important that you wear your denture every day. If you don't wear your partial for an extended period of time, the partial may not fit as well as it should.

Over time, your mouth will change. The bone and gum areas may shrink or recede, causing the space between the jaws to change. Because your partial keeps its shape, adjustments will be needed to keep your partial fitting properly. Always consult your dentist rather than trying to fix the problem yourself. Never bend any part of the metal yourself. Doing so may weaken the metal structure.

Clean your partial thoroughly at least once a day, using a toothbrush, tap water and toothpaste. Don't use alcohol, abrasive cleaners, bleaches, whiteners or boiling water to clean or soak your partial.

Partial dentures normally should be worn at night. Dentures can dry out and distort if left outside a moist environment. Keep your partial immersed in tap water or denture cleaning solution whenever you are not wearing them.

Don't make adjustments or repairs yourself. Always contact your dentist immediately if there is any change in the comfort or fit of your partial dentur

Complete or Full Dentures are made when all of your natural teeth are missing.

You can have a full denture on your upper or lower jaw, or both.

Your dentist will take an impression of your jaw, along with measurements of how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them (bite relationship). The color (shade) of your teeth will also be determined either from your natural teeth or a denture you may already be wearing. The impression, bite and shade are given to the dental laboratory so a denture can be made just for you.

The dental laboratory makes a mold (model) of your jaw, places the teeth in a wax base, and carves the wax to the exact form wanted in the finished denture. Usually a "wax try-in" of the denture will be done at the dentist's office so any adjustments can be done before the denture is completed.

The denture is completed at the dental laboratory using the "lost wax" technique. A mold of the wax-up denture is made, the wax is removed and the remaining space is filled with pink plastic in dough form. The mold is then heated to harden the plastic. The denture is then polished and ready for the patient to wear.

It usually takes a little while to get used to wearing a full denture. There may also be minor adjustments that your dentist will make to fine tune the fit of your denture. After a few weeks, you be more at ease and your gums adapted to wearing a full denture.

It is very important that you wear your denture every day. If you don't wear your denture for an extended period of time, the denture may no longer fit as well as it should.

Over time, your mouth will change. The bone and gum areas may shrink or recede, causing the space between the jaws to change. Because your denture keeps its shape, adjustments will be needed to keep your denture fitting properly. Always consult your dentist rather than trying to fix the problem yourself. Trying to adjust them yourself will only cause more difficulties and what may have started out as a small problem could easily become a bigger one.

The most important thing to remember is to visit your dentist regularly, and follow his or her instructions.

Clean your denture thoroughly at least once a day, using a toothbrush and a non-abrasive denture cleanser. Don't use alcohol, abrasive cleaners, bleaches, whiteners or boiling water to clean or soak your dentures.

Complete denture normally should not be worn at night. They should be removed and stored in normal tap water or in denture cleaning solution. Dentures can dry out and distort if they are left outside a moist environment.

Don't make adjustments or repairs yourself. Always contact your dentist immediately if there is any change in the comfort or fit of your denture