Understanding Partial Dentures: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients

Understanding Partial Dentures: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients

Partial Dentures offer a practical and effective solution for individuals dealing with the challenges of missing teeth. Custom-made and removable, these dentures are designed to fill the gaps left by lost teeth, supported by your remaining healthy ones. Not only do they restore a natural appearance, but they also enhance functionality, allowing you to enjoy daily activities like eating and speaking with confidence.

At Kogarah Denture & Dental Clinic, we understand the importance of providing our patients with options that suit their lifestyles and preferences with the added bonus, offering both denture and dental care all under the one roof . 

You can choose from a variety of Partial Dentures, each with its unique benefits and custom made in our Dental Laboratory on site :

Acrylic – Acrylic Partial Dentures are made of a lightweight acrylic resin base resembling gum colour, with replacement teeth attached.

Metal – Metal Partial Dentures are strong, durable, with metal framework and acrylic resin teeth, anchored to natural teeth for long-lasting restoration.

Flexible Invisible – Flexible Invisible Partial Dentures are unlike traditional metal partials, they utilise a thin, flexible thermoplastic base that is virtually undetectable and provides a natural, gum-like appearance

Clear Invisible – Clear invisible dentures are nearly invisible due to the thermoplastic material blending seamlessly with gums, with translucent acrylic resin teeth for a natural look. 

We can access a variety of custom materials to construct your custom Partial Denture in our on site dental laboratory , ensuring that you can choose the option that best suits your lifestyle and needs. 

Why should you use Partial Dentures?

Partial Dentures offer numerous benefits tailored to your specific needs, making them an excellent choice for many individuals. Regaining a full set of teeth can significantly boost your confidence and enhance your ability to chew, which in turn supports the preservation of your remaining teeth. One of the key advantages of Partial Dentures is that they can be fitted without the need for invasive surgery, providing immediate relief.

Beyond aesthetic considerations, Partial Dentures contribute to the overall health of your mouth. Missing teeth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift out of alignment, leading to further complications. By filling the gaps left by missing teeth, Partial Dentures help prevent these issues and support the preservation of your remaining teeth.

Partial Dentures provide a varied solution for those who are missing some teeth. They enhance your appearance, improve your ability to eat and speak, preserve your remaining teeth, and contribute to overall oral health without the need for invasive procedures. They are a practical, effective, and affordable option for maintaining a healthy, confident smile.

Understanding the Installation and Comfort of Your Partial Dentures

At Kogarah Denture & Dental Clinic, patient comfort, quality and peace of mind are our top priorities. We ensure that you leave our clinic with the very best, feeling confident and comfortable with the installation and care of your Partial Dentures. Here are some essential tips to guide you through the process:

The initial installation of your Partial Dentures may require some time, but it’s crucial for their longevity and your overall comfort. Our process includes:

– A comprehensive free initial consultation – this will ensure your Partial Dentures will suit your needs and your lifestyle

– Custom fabrication on site – each Partial Denture is custom-made on our premises in our Dental Laboratory to fit your mouth perfectly, ensuring that natural look, optimal comfort, and security while you eat, speak, and smile

– A focus on discretion and comfort – we prioritise creating Partial Dentures that are not only comfortable but also as undetectable as possible. We will ensure a precise fit, and make any necessary adjustments for optimal comfort and a natural appearance

Getting the chance to enjoy simple pleasures like eating your favourite foods, and talking to your favourite people can be challenging with missing teeth. Finding the right fit and type of Partial Denture is key to restoring a sense of normalcy and comfort in your daily life. 

Through the installation process, we will ensure you get the proper fit, the right material for you, guide you through maintenance processes, and provide you with support for lifestyle changes you may need to make with your new Partial Dentures.

Challenges you might encounter

Each mouth presents its own unique set of circumstances, needing unique solutions. Despite the benefits they offer, Partial Dentures pose certain challenges that may arise during your journey with them.

Discomfort – Your gums are particularly sensitive, meaning that some discomfort may be expected as you begin wearing your Partial Dentures. You will find during the adjustment period if you have discomfort it will stop

Speaking and annunciating – Initially, your mouth will need to adjust to the new shape of the Partial Denture. Especially if you’ve been missing teeth for a significant period, you may encounter challenges in pronouncing certain sounds, such as ‘sh’ or ‘th’. However, within a few hours or so , you will overcome this.

Eating and Speaking – Even with your natural teeth still intact, Partial Dentures influence your ability to chew and speak. Regular practice is essential to getting better at using your dentures and feeling comfortable with them in the long run.

Hygiene and cleaning – Just like natural teeth, Partial Dentures require daily cleaning to prevent bacterial growth and provide your gums with the opportunity to rest. When you are cleaning your Partial Dentures, it is important that you:

– Follow the instructions that we will provide you with

– Take extra care when cleaning around any of the attachments 

– Come back to us for a follow-up visit at least once yearly, where we will clean your dentures or twice a year, every 6 months, to clean your natural teeth to prevent unnecessary complications. No need to go elsewhere as we have our dentist and dental prosthetist on site.

FAQs

There is no exact number for the amount of teeth needed to fabricate Partial Dentures, however, the existing natural teeth can be used as anchors to help them stay in place, even if you have just one remaining tooth.

With the correct care and maintenance, your Partial Dentures could last between 5 and 15 years. This is provided that your natural teeth condition doesn’t change significantly during this time.

The most comfortable Partial Denture can vary depending on individual preferences, needs and the conditions we find in the mouth.

Flexible Partial Dentures are often considered more comfortable. The thin, flexible material provides a superior level of comfort compared to rigid dentures.

It’s best to consult with our dental prosthetist to determine the most suitable comfortable option for your specific needs having a few different types.

If you’re considering Partial Dentures as a solution to missing teeth, we would love for you to contact us to begin your free consultation process.

We can show you all the different types, explain all the advantages and discuss which would be ideal to assist you in making the best decision first time round.

Your journey towards a brighter, more confident smile starts here at Kogarah Denture & Dental Clinic.

Call Us 02 9784 2446