Removable dentures: partial, complete, cast metal and flexible

Removable dentures restore teeth when other options are not available: there are no supports for a bridge, implants are not possible or a quick, affordable solution is needed. Modern dentures are much lighter and more precise than those older generations remember: they stay in place better, feel less bulky and look more natural. At UKRMED Dentistry, all main types of removable dentures are made.

Photo: автор не вказаний, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Types of partial dentures and complete dentures

What are partial dentures? They replace some missing teeth when natural teeth remain, while complete dentures replace all teeth in a jaw.

Removable partial dentures have a gum-coloured acrylic base (the part resting on the gums) with artificial teeth and are held by clasps, small wire hooks around neighbouring teeth.

A complete denture is needed when no teeth are left in the jaw. It is held by close contact with the gums and palate, so a custom tray (a plastic tray made for your jaw) and a precise impression are made.

A cast metal partial denture has a cast metal framework: a bar with clasps and saddles (acrylic bases over the gaps) carrying the artificial teeth. The bar spreads the load between teeth and gums, so the denture is thinner and more stable than an acrylic one.

Flexible dentures are made from nylon without metal. They are light, do not break if dropped and are almost invisible because the clasps are made of the same pink nylon.

Cast metal dentures

A cast metal denture is chosen when enough natural teeth remain to share the load. An upper denture has a palatal bar or plate, but much narrower than an acrylic base, so it interferes less with taste and speech. A lower denture has a lingual bar that runs behind the front teeth. At UKRMED, clasp-retained cast metal dentures are made.

Flexible partial dentures

Flexible partial dentures suit people allergic to acrylic, patients who care about appearance and those who need to replace 1-2 teeth. Thanks to its flexibility, nylon fits the gums closely. The downside is that nylon spreads chewing load less well, so when many teeth are missing the dentist may suggest a cast metal or acrylic denture.

Which denture is best

There is no universal answer. The dentist decides based on the number and condition of your teeth, your gums, bite and preferences:

• many natural teeth and healthy gums - a cast metal denture;
• appearance matters and a few teeth are missing - a flexible denture;
• no teeth left - a complete denture;
• temporary solution during treatment - a simple partial denture or micro-denture (a small removable denture for 1-2 teeth).

If implant retention suits you, the denture will be even more secure: then dental implants are considered.

How a denture is made

1. Examination. The dentist assesses teeth, gums and bone and orders an X-ray or 3D CT scan (a three-dimensional image of the jaw) if needed.
2. Preparation. Decay is treated, teeth that cannot be saved are removed and a professional cleaning is done.
3. Impressions. For a complete denture a custom tray is made, and wax bite rims set the bite height.
4. Try-in of the framework and wax teeth, checking colour and bite.
5. Delivery and instructions on putting the denture in, taking it out and caring for it.

Dentist Mariia Sieraia specialises in aesthetic prosthetics and bite rehabilitation (restoring all teeth and the way the jaws meet) with removable and fixed restorations.

Getting used to a denture

For the first 1-2 weeks you may notice more saliva, a change in speech or sore spots. Do not put up with pain: the dentist adjusts sore spots in a few minutes.

• clean the denture daily with a separate brush and rinse after meals;
• take it out at night and keep it in a container;
• do not bend clasps yourself.

Over time the gums change and the denture is relined to fit the new shape.

Removable denture prices

Sources

1. Choong E. K. M., Shu X., Leung K. C. M., Lo E. C. M. Oral health-related quality of life after rehabilitation with removable partial dentures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104351
2. NHS. Dentures (false teeth). https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/dentures/