Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are dental prosthetics that can replace several missing teeth on the same row, as opposed to full dentures, which replace an entire arch. Partial dentures may be needed if you still have healthy teeth but have lost two or more on either the upper or lower arch.

Cosmetic improvements often drive patients to seek partial dentures, but partial dentures can also lead to functional improvements in speaking and chewing. Tooth loss often causes crowding due to teeth “readjusting” to the negative space left by the missing tooth. Partial dentures prevent this from happening, preserving the patient’s bite alignment.

Partial dentures can be permanent or temporary depending on the patient’s needs. For example, your dentist may want to preserve your alignment in the months following an extraction before permanent dentures or implants can be put in. Partial dentures serve as a temporary placeholder for the new teeth while the surgery site heals.

Most partial dentures are made from plastic resin or metal. Cast metal bases tend to cost more due to more complex manufacturing, but the added durability makes them a good fit for long-term partial dentures.

Your eligibility for partial dentures will depend on your oral anatomy, the status of your remaining teeth, and your cosmetic goals for your treatment.

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