Discover the Perfect Denture Options for You
At Greenbelt Dental Health, we provide custom partial dentures to restore your smile. Made from acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal, our partials are designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, offering a comfortable and durable solution. Schedule a consultation today!
Everything You Need to Know About Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are designed for those who have lost some, but not all, of their teeth. Made from acrylic or a mix of acrylic and metal, they’re crafted to blend with your natural teeth. Partials are secured by clips that attach to your remaining teeth. Metal-framed partials are thinner and durable, though clips may be visible, while flexible partials with plastic clips offer a more discreet option.
The Process of Creating Custom Partial Dentures With Dr. Christopher Naranjo
The process for creating a partial denture is very similar to other forms of tooth replacement, such as dentures or bridges. Here is a basic outline of how partial dentures are created:
- First, Dr. Christopher Naranjo at Greenbelt Dental Health in Austin, Texas will take an impression of your mouth. This can be done by having you bite down on a tray of mold-making material or by using an intraoral digital scanner.
- From this mold, a cast is made, providing the dental technician with a replica model of your remaining teeth to design the custom partial denture.
- Depending on how many remaining teeth you have, Dr. Naranjo may measure your bite to understand how your upper and lower jaw relate when closed. This ensures a proper fit.
- The dental technician will design and engineer the partial denture based on the model of your mouth.
- Dr. Naranjo will invite you back to try on a wax mock-up of the partial denture to make any necessary adjustments to the fit, shape, and appearance.
- The dental technician will then create the final partial, pouring a solid piece of acrylic (for flexible partials) or pouring acrylic around the metal frame (for cast partials).
- Dr. Naranjo will invite you to return to try on your final partial, ensuring it hugs your remaining teeth comfortably and securely. If the fit is correct, you can take your new partial home. If not, Dr. Naranjo will make adjustments to ensure it fits perfectly.
Just like complete dentures, partials are removable and should not be worn at night while sleeping. Removing your partial at night gives your gums a chance to rest and allows saliva to wash your gums, helping maintain the healthy flora in your mouth. Your partial should be cleaned every night using a soft toothbrush, denture brush, and denture toothpaste. Don’t forget to brush your remaining teeth and the portions of your gums the partial rests on with toothpaste and a soft bristle toothbrush! Your partial should also be stored overnight in a denture solution to disinfect it and keep it moist, ensuring its longevity. Dr. Naranjo will provide a full lesson on how to clean and care for your partial before you leave the office.
With partial dentures, you’ll regain your smile and enjoy improved chewing and biting ability, allowing you to enjoy foods that may have been difficult to eat when you were missing teeth.