There are no two partial dentures alike! If you are missing a few teeth, its important to know that you have options for replacing them. There are three main types of partial dentures:
- Cast Metal Partial Denture: Cast metal partial dentures are made out of a metal framework with teeth attached. It typically attaches behind your existing teeth and is not visible when smiling. Cast metal partial dentures are very strong and durable, have excellent fit and retention with minimal thickness.
- Acrylic Partial Denture (Hard Plastic): Acrylic partial dentures are made out of gum-colored hard acrylic plastic instead of metal. The teeth are attached to this plastic framework and metal clasps are required to go around your existing teeth. They are not as desirable as cast metal partial dentures, however if you may be losing additional teeth in the near future, it is easy to add additional teeth to the plastic framework. The cost of an acrylic partial denture is less than a cast metal partial denture.
- Valplast Partial Denture (Flexible Plastic): Valplast partial dentures have both their framework and their clasps made out of flexible plastic. They are flexible and less irritating to soft tissues in comparison to acrylic and cast metal partial dentures. The flexible plastic clasps are the same color as your gums and therefore blend seamlessly with your gumline, making them indetectable.