Partial and Full Dentures

Partial dentures fill spaces from missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw and have metallic hooks that grab onto remaining teeth to get some retention. There are other versions that have nonmetallic retention. They are good in that they restore some chewing function to the teeth but are not as ideal as implant restorations as the partials still do move in the mouth and need to be regularly removed and cleaned. Without proper cleaning several times a day, the teeth around the partial can get a buildup of plaque and tartar that could lead to cavities or bone loss. Inadequate cleaning can also lead to fungal infections. These hygiene warnings go for full dentures too. Teeth may need to be modified to allow for the hooks of the partial called clasps to grab on and stay in one spot properly. Implants can be used to stabilize partial dentures.

Full dentures can be fixed to implants or can exist on their own. Without help from implants they generally do slosh around a bit when using them. Upper ones are usually more tolerable but lowers tend to move a lot and one must practice holding it in place by scrunching the lower lip muscles. Denture adhesives can help them be more stable. Upper dentures (partial and full) can cause speech changes. I always tell patients that dentures are akin to crutches. Crutches are an aid to help people get around but are uncomfortable and nothing like walking. The same is true for dentures. They are big pieces of plastic that are uncomfortable pretending to be teeth and helping you get by. Chewing is not the same as when you had teeth. You have to try to balance the food and only use the back teeth as the function of dentures usually makes front teeth only useful for looks. Dentures may be right for your mouth and financial situation, however, implants are always recommended.

When you lose teeth your bone will continue to change over time and this will lead to the need for adjustments and relines. A reline is when a new impression of your gums is taken to add more material to areas where the bone has receded under the denture to make it evenly balanced and function correctly.

How can I keep my dentures from moving so much?

As time goes on, the bone and gums that serve as a base for the denture change. This can lead to dentures that don’t fit right and are sore. If this occurs, one must see their dentist for adjustment or reline. Some individuals do not have an optimal shape of gums and bone to keep the dentures in place. Implants are the best option in these circumstances but could be financially out of reach for many.  In these cases, denture adhesive can be a great alternative. It is nowhere as effective as denture attachments to implants, but it can be far better than nothing if you have a flat shaped ridge.

How do I clean my dentures?

It is important to brush dentures several times a day with water. They are typically made of an acrylic base that can harbor harmful bacteria and fungus if not cleaned well every day. Start by removing completely any adhesive you have used with a paper towel. Once this is done use a denture brush and clean the denture. DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE. It is abrasive and can ruin the denture over time. You can use a tiny bit of mild dish soap or special cleaning solutions. Once this is done, you can submerge the denture in cleaning solution overnight. In the morning rinse the solution off with water and brush again under tap water. It is important to only use the solution for your denture. There are full dentures and partial dentures. Partial dentures are the ones that hook onto remaining teeth and using the wrong solution could destroy the denture. After eating it is recommended to remove the denture and rinse it off as well as swishing water in the mouth before reinserting the denture to ensure food particles have left the mouth.