Are Partial Dentures the Right Fit for Your Pearly Whites?

Research shows that an estimated 32 percent of people claim to be concerned with the look of their teeth. From discoloration to crookedness, to chips and gaps, there are many reasons you may not be happy with your smile?and you may even be part of the 99.7 percent of all surveyed adults who reported to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry that a clean, healthy smile is important when it comes to social life. One way to combat self-consciousness and keep teeth healthy at the same time may be to invest in teeth replacement, depending on your particular needs. Partial dentures, a kind of teeth replacement recommended by some dentists, have a proven success rate of 98 percent in wearers, and the many benefits of dental implants could prove they?re the right fit for you.


Unlike regular dentures and bridges, which only fit over your teeth and are connected on either end with a crown, partial dentures are an actual oral implant that use metal clasps to latch replacement teeth onto your own, holding them in place easily and comfortably. Some partial dentures use precision attachments instead of clasps, but can be more expensive, so it?s important to ask your dentist which is the best option for you. According to the American Dental Association, a partial denture will eventually feel organic in the mouth, as these implants can also help improve your speech and ability to eat once you get accustomed to the fit.

The initial fitting and creation of partial dentures is fast and efficient, once the implant is determined right for you. Your dentist or prosthodontist will make multiple impressions of your teeth and measure the spacing between them, including how far spaced apart your upper and lower jaws are. Next, your dentist will make molds or casts of your natural teeth to determine the correct shape, fit, and aesthetic. Once a mold is created, a final cast is made and adjusted to fit over your teeth with ease. The procedure and final lay are both painless for your mouth and your wallet, as dental implants are covered by most insurances.

Another way partial dentures make dental care easier is that they are easy to care for and do not require much additional upkeep. Though these implants look and feel permanent, they are made to remove and care for easily. A mild soap and a soft toothbrush can be used to gently clean the dentures, followed by a rinse with warm water to kill bacteria. To keep its shape, you can soak the denture in water overnight, and rinse once more for good measure each time you put the denture back into your mouth. Your dentist can recommend special cleaning solutions and denture-cleaning toothbrushes, but for the most part, partial denture upkeep is simple and effective when done right at the bathroom sink.

Almost 3 million people have chosen dental implants as a solution to dental dissatisfaction, and more than 500,000 people choose this option each year. To find out if dental implants are right for you, consult with your local dentist, and in no time you?ll be grinning ear to ear.