Even after doing our best to take care of our teeth, there may come a time when we lose some of them due to neglect, accidents, diseases, or some other reasons. Partial dentures are used by Dr. Naim at her West Los Angeles practice to restore a beautiful smile and improve patients’ quality of life.
Partial dentures are a set of artificial teeth which replace the natural teeth in the mouth. Unlike full dentures, partial dentures only replace some of the teeth. Generally, partial dentures are attached to a base which is aligned to the surface of the gums and fastened to the natural teeth. To make them appear as natural teeth, the base has the same color as the gums and the dentures are positioned carefully in the mouth where natural teeth would have been.
APPLYING PARTIAL DENTURES AT OUR LOS ANGELES OFFICE
After examining your teeth and mouth thoroughly, Dr. Naim will first take an impression of your teeth and jaw as a whole. This will be accomplished by using liquid or semi-solid impression material. This material is placed on a tray which is then inserted and kept in your mouth for few minutes until the material hardens and an exact imprint of your teeth is engraved on it.
In addition to this, Dr. Naim will also make some changes to your original teeth. Dr. Naim will polish out small areas on existing teeth which will help support the partial dentures and keep them steady. Dr. Naim will also check your bite ensure where your teeth and jaws meet when you close them together. All of this information will then be sent to a dental lab where the initial partial dentures will be made for your teeth.
When you return for your next visit, Dr. Naim will work with you on fitting the dentures and making adjustments if needed until you will feel very comfortable with your new partial dentures.
BEST CANDIDATES FOR PARTIAL DENTURES
Partial dentures are ideal for Los Angeles patients who still have some (or at least one) of their natural teeth intact. While full dentures replace the whole set of teeth on the upper or lower jaw, partials can allow you to keep your natural teeth and fill in the gaps where the teeth are missing. Moreover, partials are also useful when consecutive teeth are missing on either jaw. This saves you from having to go through the process of receiving individual dental implants which can be costly.
MAIN BENEFITS OF PARTIAL DENTURES
- Partial dentures serve many of the functions of your natural teeth. Thus, they can help you in eating and chewing regular foods without much difficulty.
- Many people who have missing teeth feel embarrassed to speak or smile in public. Partial dentures can bring back your smile and confidence. They look almost exactly like healthy natural teeth so no one will know you are wearing them.
- Our teeth have the ability to shift slightly over time. Therefore, proper placement of partial dentures can help maintain the correct position of the natural teeth. Partial dentures can block the movement of them and prevent any complications.
- Lastly, partial dentures are an easy and inexpensive solution to missing teeth. They are very easy to use and require minimal maintenance. Moreover, once you are used to wearing them, they will become second nature to you.
BASIC CARE FOR PARTIAL DENTURES
Dr. Naim recommends to follow these basic care techniques for partial dentures:
- Cleaning them daily: Make sure to keep your partials clean by washing them daily just like you brush your teeth every day. However, be careful not to use regular toothpaste to clean the partials. There are special cleaning products which are made specifically for disinfecting dentures. Be sure to ask your dentist about them.
- Handling them carefully: Dentures are not as strong as our gums and teeth. Therefore, it is important to use soft bristle toothbrush or special denture brush when cleaning them. A hard toothbrush can damage the material they are made from. Moreover, please avoid washing them over an empty sink and always wash them in a sink filled with some water. This will prevent any breakage if you drop them accidentally.
- Removing them at night: Even though you can sleep with your dentures on, it is best if you remove them before heading to bed. This will allow your gums to rest during the night and give you an opportunity to keep the dentures moist. How do you keep them moist? Simply put them in some water at night, so they stay nice and soft for you to use them in the morning.