What is a removable partial denture?
A removable partial denture is a prosthesis that replaces some of your teeth on the upper and/or lower jaw, fitting over your existing gums and comes in and out of the mouth without the help of a dental professional. After taking scans of your mouth, our doctors will design a custom-fit, comfortable denture, working closely with you to determine the shape, color, and size of the teeth, creating a natural looking and beautiful smile. Once you receive your new denture there will be a brief period where you will be adjusting to wearing the prosthesis before it may feel completely natural. During this period, you may need to come back to our office for a reline of your partial denture’s base, this is where the doctor will adjust the inside of the base that fits over your gums and is a normal part of the denture process.
How to care for your removable partial denture?
Proper care of your removable partial denture is crucial for maintaining the health of your remaining teeth and ensuring the longevity of your prosthesis. Like natural teeth, your removable partial denture requires daily cleaning to maintain its optimal appearance, function, and prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria.
- Brush and rinse your partial dentures with a nonabrasive denture toothpaste daily.
- Brush and rinse your partial dentures, gum tissue and natural teeth after eating.
- Brush your remaining natural teeth and gum tissue at least twice daily.
- Take your partial dentures out of your mouth each night. Allowing your gum tissue and underlying bone a break from being covered by your denture will prevent tissue irritation, bone loss and infection.
- Keep your denture moist overnight. The materials your partial removable denture is made from need to remain moist to prevent from becoming brittle and retain the proper strength and fit, as we ago our salvia production decreases, and our mouths do not produce enough moisture for this purpose.
- In addition to daily cleaning at home, visits with our doctors and team are essential to keep both you and your denture in optimal function and health. During these visits our team will:
- Review the effectiveness of your home care techniques and tools used.
- Assess your partial denture to ensure its integrity and fit.
- Assess the condition and health of your underlying gum tissue, bone and remaining natural teeth.
- Professionally clean your prosthesis, gum tissue and remaining natural teeth.
These steps help keep you and your denture in optimal condition and maintain a healthy mouth by preventing bacterial buildup that can potentially lead to gum disease, bone and tooth loss and the ability to wear your partial denture as designed.