Best Partial Denture Technique From Start to Finish

Partial Denture Process

Restoring a confident smile and functional bite through partial dentures can be a transformative experience. The partial denture process is a nuanced and personalized approach to replacing missing teeth, bridging the gap between aesthetics and functionality. 

Our guide delves into crafting, tailoring, and integrating partial dentures into your patient's oral landscape. From your patient's initial consultation to their final fitting, this guide provides a complete overview of the denture process from start to finish, demystifying the process so your patients can reclaim their oral well-being and regain a natural, radiant smile.

What is a Partial Denture?

A partial denture is a removable prosthetic designed to replace multiple missing teeth either in the upper or lower sections of your patient's mouth. False teeth are attached to a plate made of all plastic or a combination of metal and plastic. The plate is typically pink or gum-colored to blend in with the rest of the mouth.

These removable dental products are not meant for continuous wear. PRO-Craft Dental and most dentists recommend removing the dentures at night for cleaning. 

How do Partial Dentures Work?

Partial dentures function similarly to natural teeth. They are custom-designed to fit precisely and align with the rest of your natural teeth. Additionally, partial dentures help maintain the position of your patient's remaining natural teeth by preventing them from shifting. Filling the gaps left by missing teeth restores your patient's ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently. 

Different Types of Partial Dentures

Unlike full dentures, which replace all teeth in a dental arch, partial dentures are specifically designed to replace one or more missing teeth while preserving existing natural teeth. Our Valaplast Flexible Partial Dentures take this one step further by having a natural look and feel with the flexibility of the material used in the partial denture. 

Aside from the material used to build the dentures, there are different kinds. The two main types are standard and premium dentures, which differ in price, aesthetics, and function.

No matter what kind of denture your patient needs, the partial denture must fit properly for optimal function and comfort. To guarantee the best fit for your patient, you must customize the denture to match your patient's gum shape, tooth color, and overall dental anatomy. 

The Process of Getting Partial Dentures

When it comes to creating partial dentures for your patients, the traditional method typically goes as follows: 

1. Take Accurate Impressions: This first step is crucial, emphasizing the importance of your denture impression technique. Conduct a comprehensive dental assessment to identify any issues within the dental arch for the best results. Other tips for getting accurate impressions are to use high-quality gypsum for precise impressions of the patient's mouth and to work with certified dental lab technicians like our team at PRO-Craft.
2. Examine the Bite: Assess contact points between teeth and make necessary adjustments. Also, prep natural tooth surfaces to place occlusal rests to support the dentures. Use a dental surveyor to mark the height and contour of teeth involved to identify any insertion problems.
3. Consider Clasp Design and Flex: Determine the appropriate clasp design based on the Kennedy Classification of the dental arch and the presence of undercuts. It's best to opt for flexible cosmetic clasps for maximum aesthetics and functionality.
4. Finalize the Design: Analyze your patient’s bite for proper alignment and aesthetics, considering the Kennedy Classification and insertion paths. While doing this, ensure the design addresses all undercuts and provides a natural look and comfortable fit.
5. Process and Finish: Fabricate the denture frame using the lost wax method and attach the partial dentures to conduct a final examination, checking for the perfect bite and aesthetics. If necessary, make adjustments before finalizing the partial dentures.
6. Finalize the partial dentures and give them to your patient so they can start smiling confidently again!

Following this step-by-step guide means obtaining high-quality partial dentures, restoring missing teeth, enhancing smiles, and promoting oral health. Collaboration with certified dental lab technicians, such as our PRO-Craft team, is essential for accurate results and patient satisfaction.

Digital Scans and Partial Dentures

In modern dentistry, integrating digital intraoral scanners has revolutionized the digital impression technique and process for partial dentures. With technologies like intraoral scanners and CAD/CAM technology, the procedure increases speed, is more cost-effective, and is more convenient for you and your patients.

Relying on traditional physical mold impressions often poses challenges such as errors in accuracy, time-consuming procedures, and patient discomfort. Instead, intraoral scanners allow dentists to swiftly capture highly detailed digital impressions of the patient's oral cavity in a fraction of the time.

Incorporating this technology into the partial denture process looks something like this:

1. During the initial appointment, use the intraoral scanner to scan the patient's teeth and surrounding oral structures. It will automatically register the shape and size of each tooth, generating a 3D image of the patient's mouth. This digital impression technique creates a digital model of the partial denture, eliminating the need for physical molds.
2. After taking the digital impressions, the data goes straight to the dental lab, where skilled technicians review the digital model. Any issues can be quickly identified for immediate correction, making communication between you and the dental lab significantly easier.
3. Once the digital model is refined, the design team leverages CAD/CAM dentistry technology to make precise adjustments. 
4. The final partial denture model will be delivered to your office during the subsequent fitting appointment. The efficiency of this process minimizes patient wait times and maximizes overall satisfaction.

The advantages of utilizing digital intraoral scanners for partial denture impressions are evident for you and your patients.

For you, it means: 

• Fewer appointments to complete the work
• Reduces chair time 
• Enhances productivity 

For your patients, this means: 

• Eliminating physical impression alleviates discomfort 
• Getting their partial dentures faster
• Restoring their smile much sooner

Incorporating digital dental technologies revolutionizes the partial denture process, mitigating the common pain points of traditional methods.

How Long Does it Take a Lab to Make Dentures?

PRO-Craft Dental's standard turnaround time for chrome partial dentures is nine working days, five days for digital scans, and only four days for Valpast and Iflex partials. We also offer free rush cases! 

So, in a little over a week, your patients can receive partial dentures and smile even wider. 

With over 40 years of experience, the PRO-Craft Dental team knows how to create beautiful restorations and provide high-quality customer care throughout the process. When working with us, you can directly access our master technicians to assist you during every case. 

Give your patients the care and restorations they deserve by working with PRO-Craft Dental. Contact us today to get started, or request a free starter kit.