False Teeth - Types of Partial Dentures for Tooth Loss

People who have a few odd teeth missing on the upper or lower jaw need not restrict themselves from smiling any more. When teeth are lost, the remaining teeth tend to eventually shift and fill some of the empty space created. This leaves the teeth more or less disoriented, with an unpleasant, crooked appearance. Partial dentures have been designed to fill empty tooth spaces with false teeth, thereby ensuring a gap-free smile. The remaining teeth are kept in their natural positions by these dentures. Numerous problems arising due to change in teeth spacing, such as Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems, that could result in ear aches, headaches, difficulty in moving the jaw, etc., can be avoided with partial dentures.

Types of Partial Dentures

There are two types of partial dentures: fixed and removable type. The type of partial denture is prescribed on the basis of the health of the teeth surrounding the gap.

Fixed Partial Dentures
These are also known as dental implant bridges, and involve the permanent attachment of artificial teeth directly to the jaw or under gum tissue via a dental implant bridge. These dental bridges are preferred over the removable type due to their striking resemblance to natural teeth and comfort level. However, their implantation requires healthy teeth for support. They also are harder to clean, as compared to the removable type. Moreover, since they cannot be removed, they are susceptible to inflammation, bad breath and other oral problems. This fixed partial denture is expensive and is recommended for replacing one or two missing teeth.

Removable Partial Dentures
This type as the name implies, refers to partial dentures that can be removed and placed back as and when desired. They are also known as removable dental bridges. They feature metal framework along with metal clasps, artificial teeth and resin base material. They fill the gap between natural teeth, with a false tooth attached to a gum-colored plastic base. The tooth denture is connected by a metal framework which keeps it in place. Those possessing diseased, injured or partial tooth loss can opt for these removable dentures. There are several types of removable partial dentures which use the same standard plastic denture teeth for the dental partials. They differ in the materials used to support the denture teeth in place.

The different types of partial dentures are:

Flipper Partial Denture: This type is the least expensive of all the available partial dentures. Acrylic is used to create the pink plastic denture base, which is the standard material used for all removable partial dentures. Onto this base is attached the false teeth to fill the gaps. Wrought wire clasps are cured into the base, whose role is to clasp the natural teeth. These dentures can be put immediately after a tooth extraction, and are not permanent solutions to partial tooth loss.

Cast Metal Partial Denture: This type comprises cast metal frameworks, and is more advantageous as compared to the flipper type. These partial dentures are attached to the teeth in a very stable fashion. This stability is achieved by slightly altering the natural teeth surface so that the dentures can fit properly. The metal clasps are also not as visible as those in flippers. Modern frameworks are cast from chrome cobalt (strong alloy), which is less likely to break. Neither the metal framework nor the plastic extensions come in contact with the soft oral tissues, thus sore spots are not an issue.

Flexible Framework Partial Denture: The application of nylon-like materials to the fabrication of dental appliances is a recent advance in the dental industry. The metal and the pink acrylic base is replaced by this nylon-like material. This material is unbreakable and colored pink to resemble the gums. Since they can be built quite thin, they are used to build clasps as well. Clasps built with this material are not visible between the teeth. The clasps in these dentures rest on the gums instead of the teeth, like the metal framework types.

Nesbit Partial Denture: This type of denture is made to replace one or more lost rear teeth, and can be legally built only out of flexible framework material variety. The single tooth removable partial denture is referred to as Nesbit. There exists the danger of swallowing the Nesbit denture accidentally. However, the new flexible framework material, even if accidentally swallowed is not prone to cause harm. Metal clasps fit around the teeth besides the gap, and the denture is not supported by teeth on either side of the mouth, thus are prone to place extreme pressure on clasped teeth. Therefore dentists don't recommend this type.

The Cusil Partial Denture: This is a full denture with holes, thereby allowing the remaining natural teeth to protrude through. This denture is lined with a rubber gasket which grasps the teeth. People who possess large number of evenly distributed teeth should not opt for this type. It is to be used in cases when the remaining natural teeth are likely to be lost, or when the natural teeth are poorly distributed across the dental arch.

False teeth are selected to match the appearance of the rest of the natural teeth. Special effort is taken to match the shape, color and size of the natural teeth. This makes the partial dentures blend with the rest of the dental arch. If the partial dentures have been correctly designed and constructed, then they will not only be comfortable to wear, but will also function like the rest of the natural teeth. Dental care is necessary to avoid tooth related problems that lead to dentures or eventually dental implants. Proper dental hygiene will ensure proper dental health and a charming smile for years to go.