Is It Worth Getting Partial Dentures?

If you’ve lost some teeth, partial dentures can be a good option for restoring your smile. Partial dentures are made to fit over the remaining teeth in your mouth, making it easier to eat and speak. Partial dentures can also make your smile look more natural because they fit over existing teeth rather than being placed inside them like complete dentures.

However, not everyone should get partial dentures. And as with any medical procedure, there are pros and cons — Here’s how to know if getting partial dentures is worth getting and the right choice.

Why Consider Getting Partial Dentures?

Partial dentures are removable replacement teeth that can improve your quality of life. They are placed in the upper or lower jaw, depending on whether you need a partial denture for your top or bottom teeth.

The main benefit of this type of dental prosthesis is that it can help you keep your natural teeth for longer by allowing them to be adequately supported by denture material rather than wholly removed as with complete dentures.
Another reason why some people opt for partial over full is that they prefer not to have their entire mouth replaced at once but gradually over time because they are unsure whether they will like the look and feel of having false teeth in their mouths.
Partial dentures can also improve appearance: they may make your smile more symmetrical and brighten your overall face, thanks to the use of porcelain veneers. It’s important to note that if you still need good oral health habits (brushing twice daily and flossing once), these should be adopted before considering getting dental prostheses!

If you are interested in getting partial dentures, we can help. At DentKits, we will provide you with all the information you need about this type of prosthesis to make an informed decision.

What to consider before getting partial dentures

Total number of missing teeth

Are a few of your teeth missing? This frequently occurs when teeth are lost due to gingivitis or tooth decay. Your smile can appear fantastic if your partial dentures are correctly fitted and comfortable. Partial dentures might be your best option to replace your top or lower teeth.

Materials Employed

The partial dentures you get will appear and cost significantly depending on the materials used to create them.

Metal partial dentures would come at an added cost to you. Partial dentures made of polymer are inexpensive and come in various hues. To save money, you can also choose partial acrylic dentures. You can achieve the desired appearance with partial dentures by using dental resin.

Mouth Attachments

If you have dentures that slide around, the attachments of the dentures may also be necessary.

Soft attachments are an excellent option if you continuously modify and reposition your dentures. Highly polished attachments can give a good appearance if you want a cosmetic denture or if you are okay with wearing your partial dentures for extended periods.

Budget

You don’t have to invest all your money in partial dentures just because you want them. You have financing choices, and you can discuss how to obtain a dental loan to pay for your partial dentures with your dentist.

How are partial dentures made?

Partial dentures are made of either metal or plastic. They fit over existing teeth to fill in the gaps left by missing ones. While they can be used to replace one or more teeth, some people get partial dentures just to improve the appearance of their smile.

Making partial dentures is much like complete dentures:

A dentist will make impressions of your mouth and then use them as templates for creating your custom-made partial denture.
The dentist will take a mold of your gums and teeth (an alginate impression), which they’ll use to create a wax replica of your natural tooth structure to create the components that will make up your new partial set.
A technician will then assemble those pieces into place, creating what’s known as an articulator model, which can be used for fitting purposes before sending it off for lab work, where it’ll be cast in acrylic resin (plastic) or a metal alloy (titanium).
Partial denture frameworks are cemented onto existing teeth; however, screws can also be placed if necessary so that patients don’t need additional visits from their dentist after having them put into place.

How much do partial dentures cost?

It can be challenging to know how much your partial denture will cost. The price of a partial denture can vary widely depending on the type of materials used and the complexity of your case. Sometimes, partial dentures could cost as much as $4,000.

Due to their increased complexity, partial dentures are typically more expensive than complete sets, but they are not usually covered by insurance (though there may be exceptions).

How do you care for them?

To keep your partial dentures in good shape, you must:

Clean them daily with warm water and a soft brush
Floss at least once per day (more if you can stand it)
Avoid hard foods that can scratch or damage the plastic surface of the partial denture. Soft foods are more easily chewed than hard ones. If chewing is difficult, ask your dentist if you should have a modified diet plan created for you by a nutritionist.
Brush your teeth and gums at least twice daily, preferably after breakfast and before bed.
If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend that you brush more often or use an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer to ensure you spend enough time brushing.

What to expect when wearing partial dentures for the first time?

If you’re new to wearing partial dentures, you may wonder what to expect. The truth is that only some have the same experience with their dentures. But there are some common issues many people deal with in the beginning stages of wearing dentures.

Swelling

When you first begin wearing your partial dentures, you may experience swelling in your mouth. This is normal and should go away within a week. Contact your dentist immediately if swelling persists beyond that point or becomes too severe to manage with over-the-counter medications.

It’s also essential to keep in mind that while the initial discomfort of getting used to wearing partial dentures is typically short-lived, some people will experience ongoing pain and discomfort as they adjust their bite and learn how best to take proper care of their new teeth.

Sore spots

If you’re like most people, your sore spots will be in areas where the denture rubs against your gums. This can happen when a partial denture is too loose or tight. It may be because of a lack of proper fitting and adjustment if it’s too loose and very comfortable. An excellent dental professional can help you with this problem by simply adjusting the fit of your new partial dentures until they feel better in your mouth.

If the soreness persists despite an appropriate fit and if the soreness moves from one spot on your mouth to another as you wear that particular set of partial dentures more often (or less often), then there may be other underlying issues at play here, such as gum inflammation or grinding habits that need to be addressed before any further action is taken regarding finding relief from those annoying sore spots!

Sore gums

If you’re new to partial dentures, you may be surprised by how sore your gums are. It’s normal for them to be tender or even bleed a little during the first few days of use. The best way to minimize discomfort is to use a cold compress on your gums. A small amount of time spent with an ice pack or cloth soaked in ice water can help reduce swelling and pain in the mouth. Another great option is an over-the-counter sore gum ointment—it will keep your gums from drying out, so they don’t get as irritated when you wear your partial dentures.

Taste of denture adhesive

Denture adhesive is a plastic-based substance that helps your partial dentures stay in place. It tastes like plastic—and it might take some time to get used to the taste. But don’t worry! There are ways you can mitigate this unpleasantness.

Saliva changes

You may notice a change in your saliva. The amount of saliva produced in your mouth depends on many factors, including the type of partial denture you are wearing and any other medical conditions you may have. Some people find that their salivary glands produce more saliva when wearing a partial denture, while others notice less. You may notice an increase or decrease in the amount of time between meals you swallow food—or even water!

Gagging and choking

Your partial dentures may be too large to fit comfortably on your gums. This will cause gagging and swallowing problems, which can lead to choking. If you find yourself gagging, try to relax your jaw muscles. If this doesn’t help, try relaxing your throat muscles by breathing slowly and deeply through the nose before attempting another bite of food or drink.

If you’re still having trouble with eating, try not eating for a few hours until you feel more comfortable with wearing your partial dentures again—and when it comes time to eat again, make sure that you chew thoroughly so that all foods are soft enough for chewing before trying them again; if they aren’t soft enough (or if they are too hard), stop eating altogether until they are ready!

Speech changes

You may have to adjust your speech when wearing partial dentures. Your dentist should discuss the best way for you to talk with your denturist or dental technician.

Have trouble pronouncing words? Use a mirror to check your mouth before speaking, especially if you have trouble chewing and swallowing food.
Feeling like something is stuck in your throat? Use a straw or other device, so it doesn’t feel like something is getting caught while eating or drinking liquids.

You can expect some discomfort, but your dentures will keep getting better!

In the end, it’s a personal choice to get partial dentures.

In the end, it’s a personal choice to get partial dentures. If your oral health is good, and you have the money for them, then go for it. It might be something that helps you feel more confident about smiling and talking in public. But if your dental health isn’t good, or it’s costly to have partial dentures done on top of regular dental care (like most things), then think twice.

At DentKits, we want to be sure that you, our valued customer, have the information you need to decide between your partial dentures. Our staff of dentists and dental assistants will answer any questions you have, and if you decide that partial dentures are fitting for you, we’ll be happy to help you order. Give us a call at (800) 698-8124.