A dental prosthesis or dental prosthesis, often referred to with the popular term of a denture or false teeth, aims to promote oral rehabilitation of a patient, usually with the purpose of compensating a missing teeth, thus seeking to return the aesthetics, phonetics and lost functionality.

Natural teeth may have been lost due to caries, trauma or periodontal problems (gum and supporting bone). Dental prostheses can be used to replace any of the teeth (incisors, canines, premolars or molars). Today, the quality of new dental prostheses has evolved significantly, and more and more modern dentures, particularly partial denture, tend to decrease the discomfort associated with loss of the teeth.

When is a partial denture required?

Partial dentures are usually required when a person has lost so many teeth that he can not be supplied with fixed dentures, so there is not enough anchoring possibilities for a bridge. Usually, more than six important teeth have already been lost in a jaw, that is, the partial denture usually serves to restore the functions of the already severely damaged gap dentition. Serious damage, such as tooth migration, tooth tilting or teething, are often present in addition. Periodontal diseases occur regularly. Jaws and mucous membranes are often affected by bone loss and mucosal changes. Temporomandibular joint and musculature can also be affected.

How are partial dentures fixed?

When worn, the partial denture is held in place by the rest of the patient’s own teeth. How it is attached to the corresponding abutment teeth (holding teeth) depends on the type of partial denture.

The load on the pillars when wearing the partial denture is influenced by how many remaining teeth are still present and where the gaps are. In the edentulous areas of the jaw, the partial denture lies on the ridge or gum, whereby a considerable part of the burden during chewing, etc. is deflected there. This distinguishes the partial denture from classic solid dentures, such as a fixed bridge.

Partial denture with or without brackets?

Simple and inexpensive partial dentures, such as the model casting or staple prosthesis, are fastened to the abutment teeth with metallic clamps. The staple is usually visible in the anterior teeth, and the metal can damage the remaining teeth and gums around the remaining teeth. Therefore, contact points with the gum should be avoided constructively if possible

vintage trucks, much like classic cars, have their own unique charm and history. When it comes to dental care, the craftsmanship involved in creating combined dentures can be likened to the intricate restoration of these old vehicles. Similarly, the precision and attention to detail required for crafting partial dentures, particularly those without metal brackets, mirror the dedication needed to maintain vintage trucks, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Yet, just as vintage trucks may come with higher restoration costs, the intricacies of creating these specialized dentures often result in increased expenses, often borne entirely by the patient.

Differences between partial dentures for the upper and lower jaw

A partial maxillary denture is often provided with a palatal plate, which connects the two opposite rows of teeth and ensures a secure fit in the mouth. In a buttock prosthesis, a palatal plate is not required. Here, a very fine bracket is sufficient, with which the two sides of the partial denture are connected in order to stabilize them sufficiently. And even with a telescopic denture, the palate plate may also be omitted if the situation in the mouth allows this.

In a partial denture for the lower jaw, a connection through a continuous plate is not possible because the tongue needs space and freedom of movement. A staple prosthesis for the lower jaw is therefore connected and stabilized, for example, with a tongue clip. For other types of prostheses, such a connection is completely dispensed with. The stability is then achieved by other design measures. However, these are more demanding to implement compared to a palatal plate, so a partial denture for the lower jaw is usually more expensive than for a similar supply for the upper jaw.

Treatment options if you have lost a front tooth

People who have lost several teeth usually decide to try to replace them many times for aesthetic reasons, especially if they are anterior/front teeth.

But, in addition, there are functional reasons to replace lost teeth. By losing several teeth, the ability to chew is decreased. Also, if the missing teeth is not replaced, there is a risk of mobilization of the teeth of the opposing arch and the neighboring teeth would also move into the edentulous space (where the teeth are missing). This tends to cause problems by increasing the chances that these will also be lost.

For those who have lost a front tooth  (anterior tooth), the partial denture for front teeth comes as an aesthetic restoration mainly for this purpose. It can correct many unsightly situations without unduly attacking the tooth that supports it. The partial denture for front teeth gives its users a great amount of courage when smiling and can also help with inequalities in the length and position of the front teeth.

Furthermore, it is essential that the use of the partial denture for front teeth is supervised by a specialized dentist. Many people are usually afraid that its use will be quite uncomfortable, for example. However, with professional techniques being currently applied by trained dentists, the use of the partial denture for front teeth has been confirmed to be practically painless and much more comfortable.

Also,  the care taken by skilled dental surgeons is essential for the dental prosthesis to be effective and durable.

In conclusion,  there are many reasons why we can lose a tooth, but losing a front tooth is a special case for many people. Of course,  we know that all teeth are important, but we must also understand and recognize the importance of the front teeth. They are visible, they are what others see when you smile, and if you are missing one of the forwards, you probably need to know that the partial denture for front teeth comes as an excellent option as highlighted above.