Partials in Livonia, MI
When you’re missing one or several teeth, partials give you the option of replacing missing teeth with a removable prosthetic. Much like a temporary bridge, partial dentures replace teeth in a variety of configurations, provided you have adjacent healthy teeth or dental implants for support.
What Are Partials?
A “partial” is short for “partial denture.” Partials either rest on metal or Valplast, and can be a quick, and removable, solution to fill in missing teeth when a bridge or implants are too costly.
However, we also offer “retained partials,” for which Dr. Stewart will surgically implant titanium posts into your jawbone, provided it is deemed healthy and dense enough. A partial denture then snaps onto these posts, offering a more secure fit without losing removability.
What Can I Expect?
Dr. Stewart and our team will thoroughly examine your mouth to assess the number of missing teeth, and the strength and health of your existing teeth, to determine if a partial is right for you. Next, dental impressions will be taken and sent to a lab where they will be used to fabricate your partials. A partial denture is a prosthetic that consists of artificial teeth that fill the empty spaces while fitting around your existing teeth, restoring the full function and beauty of your smile.
What Are the Benefits of Partials?
When choosing a prosthetic to replace your missing teeth, consider the following benefits:
- Partials are removable for easy cleaning.
- They are more economical than a fixed bridge.
- These prosthetics are designed to work around healthy, remaining teeth, which is not possible with a fixed bridge or full denture.
- By filling empty spaces left by missing teeth, partial dentures can help prevent your teeth from shifting which can lead to crooked teeth and a misaligned bite.
- Filling empty spaces with a partial also restores your bite function so you can chew a variety of healthy foods.
- Partials improve your ability to speak clearly.
- Partials restore your smile.
Am I a Good Candidate?
If you are missing most of your teeth but you have enough natural teeth to support a partial, you may find this prosthetic a good fit. However, if there is not adequate structural support, Dr. Stewart may need to discuss surgical placement of implants, or the use of full dentures, to restore your smile.