Partial dentures are a removable appliance that consists of artificial or prosthetic teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic-acrylic base. Partial dentures can be secured more and held in place by a metal framework or tooth-colored attachments. Partial dentures are used for patients who are missing one or more natural teeth, but not all of their teeth. These dentures work with both the upper and lower jaw, remaining secure in either location during use.
Stability is the principle that describes how well the denture base is prevented from moving in a horizontal plane, and thus sliding from side to side or front to back. The more the denture base (pink material) is in smooth and continuous contact with the edentulous ridge (the hill upon which the teeth used to reside, but now only residual alveolar bone with overlying mucosa), the better the stability. Of course, the higher and broader the ridge, the better the stability will be, but this is usually a result of patient anatomy, barring surgical intervention (bone grafts, etc.).
When you see these low costs advertised, it is almost always a "bait and switch." With dentures, you get about what you pay for, but rarely would you find even average quality for $399-$599 and that is for each, not both. Since well-fitting dentures are essential for good health, to say nothing of cosmetics, one should not consider price alone. Low cost dentures use cheap and "soft" teeth that wear rapidly and look fake, while higher quality teeth last for many years. The pink denture base made of cheap material discolors, breaks easily and usually fits poorly. I would advise that, as with hand grenades and parachutes, don't always look for the lowest cost.
Once the actual extractions were over they stitched my mouth up and inserted my temporary denture. Now I consider myself a very tolerant person. I was willing to look past the sales pitches, the potentially broken jaw, and the incompetent receptionists. What really set me off is when the denture itself was so poorly made that it would not even stay in my mouth. I knew something was up when the lady who inserted the denture told me that I would need to wear "a lot" of adhesive to get the denture to stay in. Despite the fact that my mouth was swollen and that my gums had not yet receded at all.
Patients that want a more stable and comfortable denture alternative may be interested in talking to their dentists about dental implants and dental bridges. Although both of these treatments tend to be more expensive than dentures, they generally offer a more precise fit and better chewing ability than dentures. Patients can also have a tooth-colored ceramic or porcelain bridge or implant restoration placed for a more natural looking appearance.
Removable complete denture. This denture sits on top of the gums where the missing teeth were. It can be uncomfortable, affect your ability to experience the full taste of food, cause sore gums, and shift and click in your mouth when you speak, eat, smile, yawn or cough. While the initial costs are low, they only last an average of 7 to 15 years, and the replacement costs can be significant over the long term. They need to be removed regularly for cleaning, which can be a time-consuming hassle. Also, as with a partial denture, the natural bone underneath a complete denture may deteriorate over time, permanently changing the appearance of your smile and face.
