Partial dentures are replacement teeth used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position.
Just like a denture that replaces an entire arch of teeth, a partial denture is removable and can be taken out for cleaning and sleeping. Partial dentures usually include both artificial gums made from pink acrylic into which false teeth are mounted. (Bridges are just the teeth. A partial denture is attached in your mouth using clasps or precision attachments that can ‘clip’ on to your natural teeth.)
Benefits of a well-designed bridge/partial denture
- Removable partial dentures are natural-looking teeth that attach to your mouth using metal frameworks. They are lightweight and inexpensive.
- Implant-supported dentures require dental implants to anchor them to the jaw.
- Flexible all-acrylic dentures are lighter and more aesthetically pleasing compared to metal framework partial dentures.
- Transitional partial dentures are temporary dentures used after teeth have been removed and gums are still healing.