Partial dentures, also known as partials, can be a great solution when you want to rebuild your best, most confident smile. Partials are custom crafted for you by Gage Dental Care dentists who have thoroughly examined your mouth and understand your oral health needs. When you are missing teeth and want to fill the gaps for better appearance, eating and socialization, partials may be the right dental treatment option.
What are dental partials?
Partial dentures are removable artificial teeth used to restore your smile and oral function when you have gaps created by missing teeth. Partials fix many problems associated with having these gaps, such as:
- Making chewing food easier
- Helping you speak more clearly
- Supporting cheeks and lips
- Keeping your face from sagging or prematurely aging
Beyond this clear reasons for getting partials, these types of denture appliances can also keep nearby teeth from moving or tilting into the empty gap. Teeth can drift sideways along the same jaw because of a gap or teeth on the other jaw can shift upward or downward into the empty space. When this happens, it can make cleaning your teeth much more difficult. That leads to gum disease and tooth decay, in addition to other problems.
Partials are usually crafted to look like your natural teeth, as a replacement for missing ones. These replacement teeth are held on an acrylic base that is colored like your gums. There is often a metal frame beneath the acrylic to provide strength and long lasting use. There is also a clasp on partials that attaches to adjacent natural teeth to hold the denture in place.
If your natural teeth are not strong enough to support your partials, your dentist may recommend placement of crowns on some of your teeth. By doing so, your removable partial may fit better into your mouth.
Using Your Partials
Wearing partials can take some practice, at first. You will need to learn how to put them in and take them out. They can feel a bit snug or unusual for the first couple of weeks. But soon you will be used to having them in place. You should never force your partials into place. This can bend or break the denture’s clasps. It can also damage your natural teeth. Your dentist will always be your best resource, when you feel your partials are not fitting well or if you have questions about wearing them.
You will most likely be advised to only wear your partials during daytime hours. For sleeping, your partials should be taken out. You will put them back in as part of your daily oral hygiene regimen. Going to the dentist for regular checkups is important when you have partials or other dental appliances. Your Gage Dental Care dentist will check for pressure spots or areas of irritation. As needed, your partial denture will also be adjusted so it will fit more comfortably.
Taking Care of Your Partials
It is very important to take care of your partials, just as you would take care of your natural teeth. Some tips for helping you care for your partial denture properly include:
- Clean them each day by taking the partials out of your mouth and rinsing well to remove food and debris
- Use a wet denture brush with denture cleaner or liquid dish soap to gently brush all denture surfaces
- Avoid using toothpaste on your partials, as this can lead to damage on the base and surfaces of the appliance
- Remember that your partials are breakable and delicate, so you should handle them with care
- Soak your partial denture in water or denture soak overnight, to ensure it does not dry out or lose its shape
- Always rinse your partials well before placing them back into your mouth
- Continue caring for your natural teeth twice each day, as you always should, using fluoride toothpaste and dental floss
It will continue to be very important for you to visit Gage Dental Care in Bell CA regularly, to check the fit and condition of your partials. Aging causes many natural changes to jaw bones and denture clasps on natural teeth may also become loose. These concerns can change how your partials fit. Such changes lead to food becoming trapped under the partials or the appliance causing irritation to your mouth.
You should never adjust or fix a broken partial denture yourself. Doing so will only harm it and can cause problems for your health, such as when household glues are used to repair it. You should call Gage Dental Care for an appointment if your partials break or stop fitting as they should. You may also lose one of your natural teeth supporting the denture, leading to necessary adjustments by the dentist.
Why Gage Dental Care for Your Partials
The dentists of Gage Dental Care in Bell CA are highly skilled, when it comes to partials and other types of dentures. You will need good dental care before your partials are fitted and throughout their lifetime. Your oral health will continue to be important. The dentists and hygienists of Gage Dental Care are eager to help you gain the partials you need to fill gaps in your teeth, just as they will help you maintain your oral health for years to come.
Regardless of what type of treatment or appliances you may need as part of dental care, having the experienced dentists and other professionals of Gage Dental Care on your side will help you have the best dental health and a vibrant smile.
Come In to Gage Dental Care for Your Partials
By gaining partials for your smile, bite and overall dental health, you are making an investment in how you look, feel and take care of yourself. All of the professional staff of Gage Dental Care are ready to help you make the right decisions for your dental treatment and lifestyle. Dr. Abaian and Dr. Hanookai are a highly professional, caring team of dentists fully dedicated to helping you feel confident in your teeth and smile.
Before making your Gage Dental Care appointment, you can speak with the staff to verify your insurance coverage and discuss payment options. This will ensure you have a good idea of how your insurance may be used and what costs you may need to personally cover. Beyond dental insurance, you can also pay for treatment using credit cards, cash or several available options for financing.