Partial Dentures

Partial dentures make it easy to restore your smile if you’ve lost one or more teeth because of trauma or extractions. At Custom Dentures, Alex Riabhov, LD, CPD, Shahin Dabestani, DMD, and the team specialize in designing and manufacturing custom partial dentures. Partial dentures restore your biting and chewing abilities and provide a nonsurgical alternative to denture implants. Call the office in Phoenix or Sun City West, Arizona, to schedule a partial dentures consultation, or request your appointment online today.

Are partial dentures and flippers the same thing?

Partial dentures and flippers both replace your natural teeth, but they have distinct differences.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures are larger and sturdier than flippers. They have a metal framework, similar to an orthodontic retainer, that attaches to small metal clasps. These clasps hold the denture in place and prevent it from changing position.

Flippers

Flippers are removable oral appliances that replace 1-6 teeth. Instead of attaching to small metal clasps, they slide into place along the roof of your mouth or rest on your lower jaw. Flippers aren’t as sturdy as partial dentures, and they usually don’t last as long.

Who should consider partial dentures?

Consider getting partial dentures if you’re missing permanent teeth on both sides of your mouth. Partial dentures fit into place around your healthy existing teeth. They fill the gaps in your smile, preserve your jaw bones, and prevent your remaining teeth from changing position.

What does getting partial dentures involve?

Getting partial dentures at Custom Dentures takes two visits several weeks apart.

During the first visit, your provider reviews your dental records, asks about your treatment goals, and completes an oral exam. They also take digital X-rays to determine how many teeth you’re missing and to check for problems like gum disease and bone loss.

If your mouth is healthy, your provider takes digital impressions. Then, they share the impressions with the technicians at the onsite denture lab. The technicians create a partial denture designed to your specifications.

When your partial denture is finished, you return to Custom Dentures. Your provider has you try the partial on, and they adjust it to ensure a perfect fit. 

How do I care for partial dentures?

Caring for partial dentures is similar to caring for any other type of oral appliance. Rinse your partial off in cool tap water after meals and snacks, and soak it in a denture solution overnight. Likewise, clean it with a soft-bristle toothbrush at least once a day to prevent plaque buildup.

Partial dentures usually last 10-15 years, but you can extend their use by avoiding bad habits like nail-biting and chewing on ice.

Call the nearest Custom Dentures office to schedule a partial dentures consultation, or book your appointment online today.

*Results may vary.