A patient who wants to avoid a visible clasp and a patient who may need another tooth added after an extraction might both need a partial denture. What they need from it, though, is quite different. One is thinking about how it will look when they smile. The other needs an appliance that can adapt as their treatment progresses.

At BJM Dental Laboratory, we make acrylic, cobalt-chrome and flexible dentures. Here’s how the three options compare when planning a removable partial denture.

Acrylic dentures

Acrylic dentures have a rigid, gum-coloured resin base that holds the replacement teeth. Acrylic is used for both full and partial dentures, and it’s often considered for an immediate denture fitted after extractions. A suitable acrylic denture can often be relined to improve the fit as the mouth changes, or have another tooth added if needed. Acrylic designs can require more bulk than a cast metal framework, so it’s worth discussing how much space the denture will take up.

Cobalt-chrome dentures

A cobalt-chrome partial denture uses a rigid cast metal framework, with acrylic and replacement teeth added where needed. The framework can be made thin in areas where an acrylic design would need more bulk. It can also incorporate small rests that sit on selected teeth to help support the denture during chewing. Clasp position matters, particularly near the front of the mouth, and any future additions depend on how the framework is designed.

Flexible dentures

Flexible partial dentures are made from a thermoplastic resin, such as nylon. Their gum-coloured clasps can be less noticeable than metal clasps, which may be helpful when a clasp would sit in the smile line. The clinician still needs to assess how the denture will be supported during chewing. It’s also worth checking what can be done if the denture needs a repair, reline or extra tooth later, as the options depend on the material and can be more limited than with conventional acrylic.

Three questions to ask before choosing a material

• What will support the denture during chewing? The position and condition of the remaining teeth help determine how the denture can be supported.
• What will show when the patient smiles? Discuss where clasps might sit and what the patient is comfortable with.
• What might change over the next year? Planned extractions or anticipated changes to the fit are worth discussing before the denture is made.

Discuss your next denture case with BJM

If you’re weighing up materials for a case, speak directly with one of our dental technicians at BJM Dental Laboratory. We can discuss framework and clasp design, what records we’ll need and what may be possible if the denture needs adapting later.