Partial Dentures

Partial Dentures Dentist

A partial denture is an economical removable prosthesis that will replace some of your missing teeth and utilizes few clasps for retention. In certain cases some partials can have hidden clasps or none at all and still remain in place.

Dr. Ghodsi has the experience and credentials you should look for when considering a dentist for partial dentures.

Dr. Shayan Ghodsi offers his patients expert up-to-date knowledge and years of experience in the dental field, paying great attention to fine details when it comes to your individualized dental treatment. You will feel confident in being treated in a state-of-the-art dental facility. Dr. Ghodsi has a warm smile and gentle nature that will make your dental treatment a relaxing and comfortable experience.

Dr. Ghodsi received his Bachelor’s degree from Pace University in New York and earned his DMD at TUFTS University in Boston, Massachusetts in 2001. In addition, he has earned many continuing education credits in his fields of interest.

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Dr. Shayan Ghodsi DMD
Royal Palm Beach Dentures Dentist

“Felt very comfortable, everyone was very pleasant and professional. The dentist was very approachable and honest. Did not push unnecessary procedures. I’m very grateful for his kindness and professionalism. I highly recommend him and his staff. Thank you so much.”
Ivonne E – Read more reviews

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OR CALL (561) 898-1010 TO GET STARTED.

Consultation Phase

Make an appointment for an examination

Take necessary x-rays and perform a full exam. We will listen to your concerns and answer all of your questions.

We will determine which types of partials you are a good candidate for so you can make a selection.

We will discuss treatment cost, payment options, and length of treatment.

You can always return for a follow-up with the Dentist to ask any other questions you may still have. There will not be any charge for the follow-up appointment.

If you are ready to proceed at your initial visit, we will take initial impressions that are used to fabricate custom trays for your following appointment in approximately 1 week.

Final Impressions

Depending on the type of partial you have selected, the shape of some of your teeth may need to be modified. No anesthesia is required for this step.

Final impressions are obtained and sent to the lab for metal frame fabrication. This will take approximately 2-3 weeks.

Metal Try-in

We verify the fit of the metal frame during this visit and make any necessary adjustments.

We take additional measurements that are requested by the lab technician.

Teeth shade is selected.

Wax Try-in

We receive the partial with teeth mounted that is embedded in pink wax. This allows you to wear the appliance for the first time. Changes are made to your satisfaction.

Once we have your final approval, it will be sent to the lab to be processed. This will take approximately 1 week.

Delivery

Appliance is inserted and adjusted in Dentist’s office.

Follow up

All needed adjustments to fine tune your bite and resolve any sore spots will be honored for 1 year at no cost.

Photo showing one example of a partial denture. There are several types.

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Design complexity plays a big role. The least expensive type is a flipper and the most expensive type is an implant/crown attachment supported partial denture. Costs can vary from $450 to $3000+.

Ideally you should receive a reline every 5 years but most people rarely do. You can read about reline in our FAQ on this page. Depending on the size of area to be relined and type of reline (chairside or in-lab), you can expect to spend around $150 to $400.

If you have implants supporting the partial, the supporting structure will need to be replaced as they wear out. The plastic clips can last from 2 to 12 months and the metal post can last years.

Clasps will extend and need to be tightened to retain the desired retention. Do not attempt to bend the clasps yourself as they are semi-flexible and will fracture if they are bent too far.

It depends on the difficulty level and how fast you need it back. For example, it is a very easy task to add a tooth to an acrylic partial because you can adhere an acrylic tooth to any area of the partial due to material compatibility. On the other hand, a flexible partial is not truly repairable and the lab technician has to think outside the box to figure out how to add a tooth using mechanical means, if it is even possible. Therefore, expect a higher repair cost. If you have a cast partial, depending on the design, you may have to solder a new supporting piece of metal before being able to add a tooth. This will increase the overall cost as well. Adding a tooth can cost you between $100 to $300.

Photo shows a partial denture in hand.

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There are a variety of partials depending on the type of material used, presence or absence of clasps, and long-term purpose of the partial. The available types are as follows:

Flipper

A Flipper is typically a single tooth replacement that lacks any clasp. It gains its retention from minor undercuts around the teeth facing your roof of the mouth. The more undercuts you have the better the retention. It is primarily meant for aesthetic reasons for replacing front teeth so you do not have to be embarrassed. They are not really meant for chewing because retention is usually not good enough to handle biting forces. Nevertheless, some cases can have very good retention.

Acrylic Partial Denture

An acrylic partial denture is made of pink acrylic that has a few metal clasps. The cost is about half of a metal partial. These can fracture easily if you abuse or drop them; however, can be easily repaired. A new tooth can be added easily in case you lose another tooth. Usually this type of partial is a good short-term treatment. It is also good for those with unhealthy teeth who want to gradually transition to full denture.

Immediate Acrylic Partial Denture

A immediate acrylic partial denture is same as the above description. The difference is that this partial is inserted at the time of teeth extractions; hence, the name immediate. The fit is not very accurate especially when many teeth need to be removed. A reline is necessary to compensate for the gum shrinkage as your gums heal. You can read about reline below.

Flexible Partial Denture

Flexible partial denture is made of a thermoplastic material that is quite flexible. It cannot break like acrylic and does not have any metal parts. This may sound as a winning type of partial, but it has some disadvantages which is the reason why it is only ideal for replacing isolated number of teeth. The material is not repairable. Should the teeth break off the partial, these cannot truly be reattached. The clasps are not adjustable either and have a tendency to impinge the gum causing chronic irritation that will lead to gum recession. The material has a tendency to change color over time. In addition, the lack of an inner metal frame places unnecessary and uneven pressure on the jaw bone which causes excessive gradual bone loss over time.

Cast Partial Denture

Cast partial denture is the gold standard for a partial and has been around for over 70 years. It has a durable metal frame with great stability. The metal clasps may appear unsightly but provide the most amount of retention. The frame provides very good force distribution as it rests on a few strategically selected teeth. As a result, the amount of jaw bone loss is minimized as well. For this type of partial, it is crucial that all remaining teeth are in good shape because the frame cannot always be easily altered to accommodate additional teeth to be lost over time.

Photo shows an example of a partial denture on model teeth.

Implant Supported Partial Denture

An implant supported partial denture is basically a cast partial denture that gains its retention by attaching directly to an implant via a male female nylon clip. This allows avoiding a clasp. The clips wear out over time and will need to be replaced. They can last anywhere from a few months to a year.

Claspless Partial Denture

Claspless partial denture refers to a partial that does not require any visible clasp to gain retention. This can be accomplished by different means. Implants with clips are a popular approach. A spring loaded device engaging an undercut around a tooth is another alternative. If you are getting a new crown, a clip similar to that of an implant clip can be embedded in the crown providing good retention with great aesthetic.

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OR CALL (561) 898-1010 TO GET STARTED.

What is a reline?

Overtime, the gum and bone under the partial will shrink and form a gap. The process is accelerated if you have an ill-fitting partial. Unfortunately, patients do not recognize an ill-fitting partial until it is very, very ill-fitting. A reline is a process where you add pink acrylic under the partial in order to achieve intimate contact between the partial and your gums. It can be done:

Chairside: It can be done during your dental appointment; however, the material is not the same one used during the original partial fabrication. Therefore, it stains and changes color over time.

In-lab-reline: It will be done by a lab technician. It starts by taking an impression of your partial at your dentist’s office. Then it is sent to a lab for reline. This process results in a dense acrylic reline that does not stain. It also provides the most accurate gum tissue intimacy. The downside is that you have to surrender your partial for 1-2 days.

I do not have any back teeth. Do I qualify for a partial?

Partials gain their retention from clasping back teeth. If you do not have any healthy and stable back teeth, you may need a full denture. You could also select implants that will add significant amount of retention to your partial by utilizing plastic clips, just like a push button.

What is the best type of partial?

It depends on your specific case. Generally speaking, a metal partial is the most durable type that provides good retention with excellent stability. These have been in use for over 70 years and have an excellent track record.

Do partials trigger the metal detector at the airport?

Interestingly enough they do not. One theory is that the alloy is not magnetic.

Will I have a metal taste in my mouth from a metal partial denture?

Not at all. Partials are made of cobalt and chromium alloy and have been in use since 1930s. The alloy is very stable and does not rust either.