Partial Dentures for Back Teeth

Published: 19.03.2024  

Author: George Ghidrai, MD  

A partial denture can be an ideal solution when some of your teeth are missing.

In this article, you will learn how partial dentures are used for your back teeth. You will also find information about:

• the various types of partial dentures
• how they are manufactured with a video demonstration
• alternatives to partial dentures
• and many more

What is a Partial Denture?

A partial denture is a removable prosthetic device that replaces one or more missing teeth (but never all). It consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, sometimes connected by a metal frame that holds the denture in place.

A full denture replaces all teeth from a dental arch.

A partial denture may replace your anterior teeth, such as incisors and canines, or your posterior teeth, such as molars or premolars.

This post will deal with removable partial dentures for back teeth.

Why is Replacing Missing Back Teeth so Important?

Following tooth loss, several toothless spaces appear inside your mouth. If these toothless areas are not restored, permanent changes may occur around them, negatively affecting oral health.

Moreover, tooth loss can cause problems when you eat and speak and may affect how you look and smile.

1. Preventing bone loss

   The bone is lost through a biological process called bone resorption.

   When natural teeth are lost, the sites that remain after the extractions begin a remodeling process. Over time, the toothless areas will gradually lose height and width.

   

   mandible bone recession after teeth loss

   If a dental prosthesis is designed to restore the toothless gap, the amount of bone loss will be significantly reduced.

2. Preventing teeth migration

   Replacing missing teeth helps to avoid tooth migration. A dental restoration creates contacts between upper and lower teeth, preventing them from shifting into the empty space.

   Teeth can move toward the toothless spaces either vertically or sideways:

   
   
   

   • Overeruption: opposite teeth, marked with a, migrate towards the extraction site. The process occurs until the tooth reaches the opposite gum or another obstacle located on the path.

   • Dental drift: adjacent teeth, marked with v, lean toward the edentulous space in an attempt "to close the gap."

   

   a case of overeruption that leads to the
   vertical shrinkage of the toothless gap

   Migrated teeth can often suffer from periodontal diseases or cavities. Replacing lost teeth will keep the correct alignment of your teeth, avoiding both overeruption and drifting from occurring.

3. Preventing the need for additional dental treatments

   Restoring your back teeth will reduce any periodontal disease or decay that may affect your remaining teeth and minimize the need for future orthodontic care.

4. Preventing the overuse of your front teeth

   When you lose your back teeth, you will start chewing the food with your front teeth. Grinding food is not an action your front teeth are designed for. As a result, they will gradually wear down.

   Putting too much pressure on your front teeth may also cause them to become loose, further impacting your oral health.

What are the Alternatives to Partial Dentures for Back Teeth?

Two viable alternatives are available:

• dental bridges
• dental implants

We will discuss the pros and cons of each option.

It is essential to talk to your dentist before making a decision. He or she will be able to recommend the best solution depending on your clinical needs and your budget.

1. Dental implants

Dental implants are a popular choice nowadays. They can offer fixed restoring solutions (implant-supported bridges) and removable ones (implant-supported dentures).

Pros

• An extremely durable tooth replacement alternative: they can last a long time for many people.
• Implant-supported restorations have improved chewing efficiency.
• They offer highly aesthetic options.

Cons

• A surgical procedure for implant placement is required.
• Not all patients are good candidates for dental implants.
• The entire procedure takes a long time (4 to 6 months) and is generally very expensive.

2. Dental bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis that replaces one or several missing teeth. It permanently joins one or more artificial teeth to the teeth on both sides of the gap.

Pros

• Dental bridges are resistant and can also last a long time.
• Dental bridges provide excellent chewing comfort and appearance.
• Bridges are fixed restorations and do not require periodic removal for cleaning.
• They can be finalized relatively quickly (2 to 3 weeks).

Cons

• They require the preparation of the teeth sitting on both sides of the gap. This operation involves permanently removing parts of the tooth's original structure, which may put your healthy teeth at risk.
• Bridges need support on both sides of the toothless gap; as a result, they cannot be designed when all your back teeth are absent.
• While not as expensive as dental implants, they usually cost more than partial dentures.

3. Partial dentures

Partial dentures may be effective solutions for replacing your back teeth. Not everyone can afford dental implants, and not every patient is a candidate. Dental bridges, on the other hand, have their own downsides.

Pros

• Partial dentures can fill a gap of any size. They can replace a single tooth or almost all teeth and, unlike bridges, don't need surrounding teeth on every side of the gap.
• Partial dentures are the less invasive option. They don't require a surgical procedure, and in many cases, all the remaining teeth will not need any preparation.
• They are cheaper than dental bridges and have a significantly lower cost compared to dental implants.
• The time of completion is relatively short (3 to 4 weeks).

Cons

• The removable nature of partial dentures can make them a less popular choice for some patients.
• They are less durable than implants and bridges. However, they are easier (and cheaper) to repair.
• Partial dentures need to be removed and cleaned daily. This might make them less appealing than fixed prostheses for some patients. On the flip side, this will actually improve the quality of your oral hygiene, as it will be easier to clean the remaining teeth.

Types of Partial Dentures for Back Teeth

Partial dentures generally attach to the remaining teeth by means of rests, clasps, or precision attachments. Some types of dentures are designed as temporary options.

Temporary partial dentures

Your dentist may recommend a temporary denture after he has extracted some of your teeth. You will wear temporary dentures so your gum tissue and bone have time to heal, which usually takes around six months.

After this time, your dental practitioner can construct your permanent denture.

Types of partial dentures

Several types of partial dentures are available, depending on the manufacturing material:

• Acrylic partial dentures

  This type of denture is made of acrylic plastic resin and is typically used as a temporary denture. The denture clings around the necks of the existing teeth with metal wire clasps to aid in their retention and stability.

  

  acrylic partial denture for back teeth

  Acrylic partial dentures are affordable, but they can break more frequently. When used as permanent solutions, they generally last up to 5 years.

• Flexible partial dentures

  Flexible partial dentures are made of a light, thermoplastic material. Instead of metal clasps, they have thin, gum-colored extensions that snap into the adjacent teeth near the gum line. This type of attachment provides a substantial cosmetic improvement.

  

  flexible partial denture

  Flexible partial dentures can look realistic, stay more securely in place, and are more comfortable to wear. However, if they break, they cannot be fixed, and you will need to have new dentures made.

• Metal Partial Dentures

  Metal partial dentures are more durable and will last longer. Compared to the first two types, metal partial dentures are more stable and tend to trap less food while eating.

  This type of partial denture is precision-made and usually constructed of a lightweight and strong metal alloy. The manufacturing material will make the partial denture very thin and light.

  The artificial teeth are anchored in pink resins or plastics that mimic gingival tissue and attached to the metal substructure.

  Metal partial dentures are held in place by either clasps or precision attachments.

  a. Clasps

  Clasps are normally made from metal and will circle one or more of your neighboring teeth to the partial denture. Clasps are generally placed towards the back of your mouth as the metal may become visible when you talk or smile.

  

  metal partial denture with clasps

  b. Precision attachments

  Precision attachments are more esthetic than clasps, providing better stability. Crowns or bridges on natural teeth are needed to improve the fit of the removable partial denture. They are usually constructed together with the designed attachments.

  

  partial denture with precision attachments

  Metal partial dentures are more expensive than plastic ones. Partial dentures with precision attachments cost more than those with clasps, but they offer superior comfort and improved oral health.

How are Removable Partial Dentures Made?

The removable denture development process may take more weeks and several appointments.

Once your dentist determines what type of appliance is best for you, he will usually make a series of impressions of your jaws and determine how they relate to one another and how much space is between them.

The impressions are sent to a dental lab, where the technician will create a series of models, wax forms, and plastic patterns in the exact shape and position of the denture to be made.

One or more appointments may be needed to assess the denture for color, shape, and fit before the final denture is cast.

What can you expect after the removable denture is finalized?

Once your new denture is completed, it may feel a little awkward or bulky in the first weeks. This happens until the muscles of the cheeks and tongue get used to the new situation.

Inserting and removing your partial denture will require some practice, especially if it has precision attachments.

It is not unusual for your gums to experience minor irritation or soreness when you first start wearing dentures. Call your dentist if you notice any of these signs. After he makes some minor adjustments, you will feel a significant improvement.

You may also experience an increased flow of saliva in the first days. This will adjust after several days of wearing your denture.

Cleaning and caring for your denture is essential for long-term success. You should remove and clean your denture and the remaining teeth and gums daily.

Benefits of Partial Dentures

Even though they are not as visible as your front teeth, replacing back teeth is just as important. If you are missing some of your back teeth, a partial denture might be the right choice.

What are the benefits?

• Better eating and chewing

  If more back teeth are missing, you likely have problems chewing, especially when hard foods are involved. A partial denture will allow you to eat your food comfortably again.

• Comfortable speaking

  Standard speech can be disrupted when front teeth are lost, but missing back teeth may also affect one's ability to speak. Partial dentures will help solve this problem and restore normal speech.

• Improved appearance

  Your back teeth (particularly molars) are generally not visible when you talk or smile. However, when the back teeth are lost, your cheeks and lips lose some support. This may result in a sagging display of your checks.

  

  Partial dentures will prevent this appearance, helping maintain the regular shape of the face.

Cleaning dentures   >>