A partial denture is a denture that replaces missing teeth in the mouth. Partial dentures replace some missing teeth, not all. Partial dentures can be made from chrome or acrylic. A removable partial denture or bridge usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. Partial Dentures fill in the spaces where there are missing teeth and prevent other teeth from changing position. Partial Dentures rest on a metal framework that is attached to your natural remaining teeth. Crowns can sometimes be placed on some of you natural teeth and serve as anchors for the denture. Partial Dentures offer a removable alternative to bridges. Designed to correct the gaps in your smile when only some of your teeth are missing. Metal attachments anchor the dentures to your natural teeth. Partial Dentures maintain tooth alignment by preventing your remaining teeth from shifting. Partial Dentures can also help prevent your loss of more teeth due to decay or gum disease. Over dentures fit over your few remaining teeth or dental implants. Your teeth or implants give the denture stability, so it's less likely to shift in your mouth. To fit an over denture, your natural teeth usually need to be reshaped to fit in the denture.

Types of Partial Dentures

There are a few types of partial dentures. The type best for you depends on your individual case. The cosmetic dentist will assess to see what’s best for you. Types are listed below:

Chrome Denture – Made from alloy chromium. The strongest and usually the least bulky of dentures.

Acrylic Dentures – Made from plastic, acrylic dentures are light, cheaper than chrome. The amount of teeth on dentures usually dictates their design.

Immediate Dentures – Made from acrylic and are used to replace teeth to be extracted immediately after tooth extraction.

Taking care of partial dentures

1. Clean the denture daily using a "soft denture brush" and warm water. The use of non-abrasive denture cream is suggested. Regular toothpastes are not recommended for daily use. They may abrade and contribute to the loss of luster of the denture teeth and base.

2. Clean your natural teeth thoroughly with a toothbrush, toothpaste, special toothpicks, or interdentally brushes to remove plaque. Do not forget to gently brush the parts of the gums that are covered by the denture.

3. You should not wear your partial denture overnight.

Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. For partial dentures, some minor adjustments are often made to the existing teeth in order to make a well fitting denture. After these adjustments are made, procedures for partial and full dentures are almost identical. First impressions are taken of the mouth. Impressions are negative molds of the mouth that is used to make a stone or plaster mold.