Dear Dr. John,
I currently have a removable partial denture. I hate the way it looks! Every time I smile, you can see the ugly wire clasps. At the time I had it done, it was all I could afford. Since I’m older, and have the finances, what options do I now have?
Dave.
Dave, as always I can only speak in generalities, as I have not examined you.
Partial dentures are used to replace missing teeth in two different scenarios. The first scenario is when you have a missing tooth or teeth in-between two other teeth. This is called a tooth borne partial. The second scenario is where missing teeth only have intact teeth on one side, .
Tooth borne {1} Tissue borne {2}
In the first scenario you have two options in replacing the missing teeth. The first is a permanent fixed bridge. A fixed bridge can be placed if the adjacent teeth are strong enough to withstand the additional stresses that will be placed on them. The second option for tooth borne is the dental implant. With today’s advances in implantlogy, dental implants are now a viable cost effective alternative to fixed bridges. Implants are placed in the area of the missing teeth. The advantages of implants over a fixed bridge are that your natural teeth are left intact.
If your partial denture is tissue borne then dental implants are your only viable option.
Partial dentures generally utilize one of two types of mechanical retention to hold the appliance in place. Most partial dentures utilize wire clasps that wrap around the tooth, however there are partial dentures that use precision attachments. Precision attachments are similar to garment snaps. Precision attachments eliminate the metal clasps you find esthetically unacceptable. Given that the anchor teeth to be crowned are strong this is a good option where implants cannot be used.
Dave my advice, given that you are a viable candidate and finances allow, is to opt for dental implants.
Better smiles for all.
Dr. John Russo
Director of Russo Dental Care
