Missing teeth significantly impacts not only self-esteem but oral health and quality of life as well. Although full dentures are deemed the best solution for complete tooth loss, those with some healthy teeth can have alternative options. One such option is partial dentures. They are perfect if you are missing a few teeth and do not replace an entire arch. Let’s take a deeper look at how many teeth you actually need to get a partial denture.
What Are Partial Dentures?
Partial dentures are subset dentures that replace missing teeth. However, they are not like full dentures and cannot be used if your entire upper or lower set of teeth. Instead, you can expect their best to work when there are a few healthy teeth remaining in your jaw. You can easily get on with your basic functions with partial dentures, such as chewing or biting food.
You may think of it as incomplete; however, partial dentures are quite sturdy once installed. They aid in keeping the rest of your teeth in their original position and make sure they do not shift over time.
Types of Partial Dentures
Partial dentures for a few missing teeth are divided into 2 classes, namely:
- Fixed Partial Dentures
Just like full dentures, they are placed inside your mouth and cannot be moved and offer high stability. - Removable Partial Dentures
While removable partial dentures, just like their name suggests, are easy to take out. Usually, they are worn only at the time of a meal or for aesthetic purposes.
How Many Teeth Do You Need For A Partial Denture?
In a nutshell, there is no definitive number of teeth required to get partial dentures. However, your existing natural teeth must be healthy enough on each side of the area you want to fill. Removable partial dentures need healthy teeth on both sides to help them stay in place.
Structural support is crucial for partial dentures as that is what allows them to stay upright and hold strong.
Maintaining Partial Dentures
It does not matter which type of partial denture you select. All of them need cleaning anyway. Maintaining a regular oral hygiene regime is the best way to make sure the rest of your teeth stay healthy. Make sure you brush teeth at least two times every day. In the case of removable dentures, use a cleaning solution to wash them daily to get the most use out of them.
Closing Note
All in all, there is no set number of teeth for partial dentures, as long as there are a handful of healthy ones, you are good to go. If you have more questions or queries, get in touch with Dr. Kirolls Ibrahim from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry at Céline Dental for help. Dial (281) 262-2332 to schedule an appointment. Our team is just a call away to guide you through the recovery process so you can return to your normal life as quickly as possible.