Dental Labs: Differences of Full Dentures Vs. Partial Dentures

Dentures, crowns, bridges, and implants are among the common dental prosthetics that labs provide. Leading dental labs design and fabricate custom upper and lower dentures, including flippers, partials, and full-mouth options. You can partner with labs to achieve quick turnaround times and high-quality prosthetics for your patients. Here are the differences between full and partial dentures:

Purpose and Design

Both full and partial dentures replace lost teeth. Full or complete dentures are designed to replace all teeth in an arch and are ideal when patients have no viable natural teeth in their upper or lower jaw. Dental labs fabricate full dentures to replace teeth lost due to aging, decay, gum disease, or trauma. They help restore oral function and facial structure if the patient is fully toothless. Their design also features an acrylic base resembling your natural gum tissue.

Partial dentures replace a portion of lost teeth and help maintain the proper alignment of the patient’s remaining teeth. The dentures also improve chewing and speech, and are supported by clasps. You can use them if your patient still has some natural teeth present. Their design features an acrylic or metal framework holding the replacement teeth. The dentures are anchored to natural teeth, making them more stable even without suction and adhesives. Full dentures usually rely on the gums, palate, and surrounding muscles for support. They also use adhesives and suction to enhance stability.

Care and Maintenance

Full dentures are removable and require daily cleaning to remove residue from meals and drinks. You should schedule regular checkups to monitor your patient’s gum health and inspect jawbone changes over time. The checkup appointments assess the fit to determine if an adjustment is necessary. Partial dentures also require proper cleaning and maintenance. Provide necessary cleaning and maintenance instructions, which include brushing and soaking the prosthetic in a denture cleaner.

During checkup appointments, you can assess the condition of the remaining natural teeth to prevent further tooth loss. Schedule regular cleaning appointments to keep the metal components in good working condition. Full dentures usually require getting used to if they cover the roof of the patient’s mouth. They may feel less stable or become loose due to bone restoration. Use adhesives or schedule relining with the laboratory to create a secure, comfortable fit for your patient. Partial dentures that don’t cover the palate can be more comfortable and stable, especially if the patient has sufficient natural tooth support.

Material and Longevity

Both full and partial dentures are made from various materials, including titanium, acrylic, and more. Titanium is a beneficial material for printed dentures, while Vitallium frameworks are used in cast designs. You can also find SLM dentures, which are the standard in partials. Leading labs use high-quality, bio-compatible materials, which offer increased comfort and durability with proper care.

Full dentures feature an acrylic base and artificial teeth. Partials attached to existing natural teeth don’t require adhesives but may feature metal clasps. Flexible partials feature high-quality thermoplastic nylon with aesthetic translucency that lets your patient’s natural tissue appear through the material. You can also choose tooth-colored or clear frameworks. Consult the laboratory to determine suitable materials based on your patient’s needs and oral health.

Find Reputable Dental Labs Today

Partnering with a lab allows you to outsource prosthetic fabrication to experts who deal with such processes regularly. You can find labs that fabricate partials, full dentures, flexible designs, and other options. The lab technicians will tailor the products based on the impressions or scans you provide of the patient’s mouth. This will allow for the most comfortable fit. Contact reputable dental labs today to find out more about their services and prosthetics.