Partial Denture

Partial Dentures are the replacement for some and not all missing natural teeth by artificial teeth for either or both jaws.
These dentures are made for the people who have lost some of their teeth due to trauma or extraction (due to any reason). Except for the wisdom teeth all the other teeth require replacement.

Advantages:

Aid in better chewing and hence complete absorption of food.
Prevent sagging of the cheeks and lips.
Improve speech.
Better esthetics.

Types of Partial Dentures:

1. Fixed.
2. Removable.

Fixed:
Fixed partial dentures as the name suggests are fixed. They are made taking support from the adjacent teeth.

Fixed Partial Dentures

Bridge is attached to the tooth on each side of space where a tooth is missing. An artificial tooth attached in the middle of the bridge fills the gap where missing tooth was. The natural teeth giving support to the bridge are prepared by reducing approximate 2mm on each surface (just like preparation for crowns). Then an impression and mold is made of the prepared area. Porcelain, metal or gold bridge is made on the mold in laboratory and the bridge when made is cemented onto the prepared teeth. This fixed Partial denture gives appearance of bridge new teeth. It is fixed and hence does not require any removal by the patient.

Advantages:

This is very comfortable type of dentures for patients as it doesn't need removal once fixed.
It is stable in the mouth and functionally and esthetically behaves like natural teeth.
They fill the gap and stop the movement of other teeth and so provide increased chewing efficiently helps to prevent possible bite and TMJ problem and are highly esthetic.

Removable:

Removable Partial Dentures are the artificial replacement of some missing teeth in mouth. An Acrylic Gum colored plate on which teeth are placed is made for the patient. This denture is removable and hence it is advised to remove it every night before going to sleep and keeping it dipped in water when not wearing.
Cleaning of the Denture is very important for its longevity so everybody wearing a removable partial denture is advised to keep it as clean as possible. The advantage of RPD is its cost effectiveness. The Removable Partial Denture is kept in place with metal or tooth colored clasps which provide better retention to denture.

Just like Complete Dentures it is also of 4 types:

Conventional
Cast Partial: With metal base having excellent retention and stability advised for people with gagging problem.
Flexible Dentures
Immediate Dentures/Interim Dentures.

Based on personal choice and comfort of yours and based on diagnosis your dental surgeon will decide about the type of denture that will be best for you and that will give you maximum comfort & satisfaction.

Denture Repair:

Whenever any denture, by any chance gets cracked or broken, then nothing to worry about. You should not consider it as a waste. You must take it to your dentist and it can be easily repaired.