Removable prostheses from the dentist: partial and full dentures

Dental prostheses are so-called removable dentures – in contrast to crowns and bridges that are fixed. Dentures are used by the dentist when missing teeth have created a gap that is so wide that it can no longer be closed with a bridge. Prostheses restore the patient’s ability to chew and speak, which have been impaired due to tooth loss.

When it comes to prostheses, a distinction is made between:

full dentures (also called complete dentures) when the entire row of teeth in the upper or lower jaw is replaced.
partial dentures, on the other hand, if only parts of the row of teeth in the upper or lower jaw need to be supplemented.

Partial dentures are attached to the remaining, natural teeth or to dental implants. The most suitable method in each individual case is determined by your dentist in Zug, together with the patient and possibly also a dental technician.

is insufficient support, full dentures can also be anchored very well to dental implants. This then even enables the prosthesis to be designed “palate-free”, which contributes significantly to comfort and an improved sense of taste when eating.

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Removable prostheses from the dentist: partial and full dentures

When it comes to prostheses, a distinction is made between:

full dentures (also called complete dentures) when the entire row of teeth in the upper or lower jaw is replaced.
partial dentures, on the other hand, if only parts of the row of teeth in the upper or lower jaw need to be supplemented.

Partial dentures are attached to the remaining, natural teeth or to dental implants. The most suitable method in each individual case is determined by your dentist in Zug, together with the patient and possibly also a dental technician.

Since a full denture cannot be attached to own teeth, the prosthesis is attached by embedding it into the surrounding soft tissue (i.e. muscles, ligaments and mucous membrane). In addition, the prosthesis is held in place by a vacuum created by the interaction of palate mucosa and saliva. Furthermore, hold can be improved with adhesive creams. If there is insufficient support, full dentures can also be anchored very well to dental implants. This then even enables the prosthesis to be designed “palate-free”, which contributes significantly to comfort and an improved sense of taste when eating.

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Removable dentures when fixed replacements aren’t possible

If one or more teeth are missing from the jaw (e.g. due to an accident or tooth decay), a fixed dental prosthesis such as a dental bridge or a dental implant can restore a stable bite position. However, a bridge, for example, is only possible if the neighboring teeth can ensure a stable hold.
If the so-called abutment teeth are impaired, brittle or are too far apart to ensure the firm hold of a dental bridge, for example, the use of a partial denture can be considered together with your dentist-team.
Partial dentures – as well as full dentures – are characterized, among other things, by the fact that they are removable. This is also necessary to thoroughly clean and care for the prosthesis. This is also the biggest difference to the implant, resp. the bridge, both of which are firmly anchored in the mouth and cannot be removed.

Partial denture: it needs stable retaining teeth

Which type of partial denture is suitable for the respective patient depends on various factors: First and foremost, the findings of the remaining teeth, especially the so-called retaining teeth, that are intended to anchor the prosthesis. Furthermore, the patient’s aesthetic needs and, last but not least, the costs also play a role.
A partial denture is held in position by the remaining teeth using various retention elements (such as brackets, attachments etc.). The exact type of attachment to the retaining teeth, as well as the load on them when chewing, for example, depends on the type of prosthesis:

Plastic prosthesis

Dentures made of plastics are usually only intended as a temporary or bridging/interim solution before a permanent solution is considered. The advantage of a plastic prosthesis is clearly the cost factor and the ability to adapt to all possible bite situations. In the long term, the plastic prosthesis damages gums and teeth, so at some point you have to switch to a permanent solution.

Model cast prosthesis

The model cast prosthesis, often also referred to as clasp prosthesis, is formed individually for the patient from metal and sits on a plastic base. Metal brackets anchor the prosthesis to the remaining teeth and ensure it is held in place in the jaw. The model cast prosthesis is a tried and tested and cost-efficient variant, but the aesthetics due to the visible brackets and the wearing comfort for the patient are often unsatisfactory.

Telescopic prosthesis

With the telescopic prosthesis, the abutment teeth in question receive an inner metal crown and fix the removable secondary crown (the “outer telescope”) of the prosthesis. Dental crown and denture crown hold each other and enable stable and comfortable wearing. Telescopic prostheses are often used for larger gaps because they distribute the chewing pressure well and from an aesthetic point of view they are hardly recognizable as prostheses because there are no annoying brackets to be seen. On the other hand, they also involve significantly more effort in production – be it for the dentist or the dental technician – and more sessions as well as higher costs can be expected.

Attachment prosthesis

Likewise with dentures with attachments, the relevant abutment teeth receive a dental crown. Additionally, the crown has a so-called attachment on the rear outside, the counterpart of which is attached to the prosthesis. When inserted, the two parts slide into each other, ensuring pleasant comfort and a good hold. It is very similar to the telescopic prosthesis in terms of other aspects as well.

Palatal plate and tongue bar

Certain partial dentures for the upper jaw – such as the model cast prosthesis – are designed with a palatal plate. This ensures that the opposing rows of teeth are connected to each other and the overall construction remains stable.
This is different, for example, with the attachment prosthesis, which usually does not require a complete palatal plate and can only be fixed on the left and right using small attachments. Depending on the nature of the oral cavity, the palatal plate can also be dispensed with the telescopic prostheses. However, both types of prostheses still require a thin connector of the left and right side.
In contrast to the upper jaw, the tongue is in the way in the lower jaw. For this reason, no plate is constructed here as in the upper jaw, but rather the mouth floor, resp. tongue in all types of partial dentures is “bypassed” with a so-called tongue bar.

Your dentists in Neustadt Passage will give you comprehensive advice!

Your dentists in Zug will assess the options carefully and will be happy to advise you on the different variants of a full or partial denture: Which steps are necessary, how the interaction between the denture and the natural teeth will work and whether the surrounding teeth can serve as retention or not. Contact us anytime – we’ll be happy to answer your questions!

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Removable prostheses from the dentist: partial and full dentures

Removable prostheses from the dentist: partial and full dentures

Removable dentures when fixed replacements aren’t possible

Partial denture: it needs stable retaining teeth

Palatal plate and tongue bar

Your dentists in Neustadt Passage will give you comprehensive advice!

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