Do Partial Dentures Hurt + The Partial Denture Process

One of the first things people notice about you is your smile. If you suffer from missing teeth, it can be difficult to present yourself as a warm, confident person in social situations. Missing teeth may even be an obstacle to your success.

Partial dentures are an economical way to replace missing teeth, restore your smile, and improve your self-confidence.

What are Partial Dentures?

When someone has a few missing teeth, partial dentures can replace the missing natural teeth in a single dental arch. They serve more than a cosmetic purpose as they substitute for natural teeth, helping you to chew more effectively and speak more clearly.

Additionally, the partial denture teeth help to preserve the spacing of your remaining natural teeth and prevent them from shifting or becoming misaligned.

Do Partial Dentures Hurt?

When partial dentures don’t fit correctly, they can hurt or rub sore spots on your gums. But that is not the norm unless you’ve worn the same partial dentures for many years without the supervision of a dentist. Patients sometimes assume that the now poorly fitting dentures will last forever. This assumption is simply not true.

Most partials are designed to last between 5 and 10 years, depending on the type and quality of the appliance. But this also means that you must return to the dentist at least once each year to have it adjusted and evaluated. If your gum tissue has changed, the partial may need a reline to improve the fit and relieve denture pain. However, if there are large gaps under the partial or if the condition of the teeth that support the partial has changed, a new partial is in order for denture wearers.

Complete Partial Denture Process

Patients are also curious about the process of getting partial dentures. Once any preliminary dental work has been completed, the entire fabrication process usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks from start to finish, depending on the type of partial you have selected and your specific needs, including the number of teeth missing.

Let’s discuss a general outline for getting removable partial dentures and wearing partial dentures.

Initial Appointment

During the initial appointment, the dentist will talk with you about your wants and desires related to replacing your missing teeth. The dentist will also use this time to:

• review your health,
• take x-rays that help determine if there is enough bone to support your natural teeth and a partial denture
• and perform a thorough examination of your mouth.

Because partial dentures use some of your own teeth for support and to help secure the appliance into place, your remaining natural teeth must be stable, in good condition, and free from dental diseases such as tooth decay or gum disease. If you have a few teeth that need to be restored or removed before you are able to wear a partial denture, that will be discussed, and arrangements will be made to have that work performed as part of the total treatment plan.

There are different types of removable partial dentures available. Partials can be made from different materials, including high-quality cast metal, resins that blend with your tooth color that make them less noticeable, and flexible materials for greater comfort. Each offers its own unique benefits and drawbacks. The dental professional will discuss which types may work best for your specific tooth configuration.

They will also discuss each type’s pros and cons so that you can make an educated choice. There are other options like complete dentures, a dental implant, and more. If you are spending money to make this improvement to your appearance and dental health, you want to be assured that the partial that you choose will provide longevity and address your needs.

Impressions

Partial dentures have been available to replace missing teeth for well over 100 years. The process starts with the dentist making minor adjustments to your teeth to help the partial glide over your teeth and prevent the partial from becoming hung or lodged as it is seated. The traditional method for making partials starts with an impression material that is placed into trays and positioned in your mouth for what seems like an eternity.

This is the part of the process that prevents some people from receiving the dental work that they need. What they remember most is the taste and the gag response that is elicited by the impressions. We have good news for you.

Now, it is possible to have partial denture impressions captured by scanning technology without taking a physical impression. The dentist uses a wand that takes many images of your teeth and gums as it is moved throughout the mouth. Computer software then stitches together the collected images to create a 3-dimensional replica of your mouth. The dental laboratory uses this virtual reproduction in the design and manufacturing process of your partial denture.

In some cases, the lab will send the partial to the dentist as a work-in-progress to verify the bite and check the tooth arrangement before the partial is completed. Your dentist will advise you if this step is necessary and will arrange a try-in appointment accordingly. Once this step is completed, the case will be returned to the lab for completion by computer-driven milling or 3D printing.

Fitting

Usually, about 2 weeks later, an appointment will be arranged where the completed partial denture is delivered to you. It is adjusted to fit comfortably within your mouth without giving you sore gums. This is where a second bonus, thanks to technology, comes into play.

If your partial was manufactured using a digital dentistry workflow that began with scanned impressions, the finished partial usually fits correctly with very few adjustments, saving you time and issues related to a sore mouth. This technology eliminates one of the biggest partial dentures problems.

See Also: Types of Partial Dentures: How Do You Choose?

Same Day Reline Service

As time goes by, the tissue inside of your mouth naturally shrinks and changes, allowing greater amounts of food and debris to become trapped under the partial. When this happens, visit your dentist or denturist for denture relining. Denture relines can extend the life of your partial by adding new material to the inside surface in order to fill gaps and improve the fit.

Often, European Denture Center can accomplish the entire reline process within the same business day, provided that you arrive by a specified time.

Self-Care After Partial Dentures

Even well-fitting partial dentures will trap a small amount of soft foods and debris beneath the framework or baseplate from time to time. Most patients need to rinse their partial after eating to prevent trapped particles from irritating their gum tissue. As important as it is to care for your partial, it is imperative that you remove your partial at least twice daily to brush and floss your natural teeth. The partial will only serve you as long as the supporting teeth remain in excellent health.

Every partial denture has a unique path of insertion, and it should glide into place with finger pressure when properly aligned. Never attempt to force or bite a partial denture into place. Doing this can cause damage to your natural teeth as well as render the partial unwearable and unrepairable. If you find yourself unable to insert or remove your partial, schedule a visit with your denturist right away.

You shouldn’t need continuous pain relief medication to get used to new partial dentures. The adjustment period should be used to ensure the partial is correctly relined.

Partial Dentures with the Professionals

Are you asking yourself, “Why do partial dentures hurt?” There’s no reason to put up with partials that are uncomfortable and don’t fit properly. That’s why European Denture Center is committed to providing quality dental appliances and partial dentures that improve your smile and quality of life rather than detract from it. See all of the tooth replacement options that may be available to you.

The first step to greater comfort begins with making a consultation appointment today!