Partial Dentures in Salt Lake City, Utah

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures, commonly referred to as partials, are used for patients who are missing a few teeth on the upper or lower arch. They are supported by the remaining teeth and surrounding tissues. If you are missing one or more teeth due to extraction, injury, or decay, the dental team at Legacy Dental may recommend partials.

Partial dentueress are generally removable and consist of false teeth supported by a gum-colored base and will have plastic or metal clips. A fixed partial denture stays in place. Fixed partials are typically referred to as dental bridges.

Complete vs. Partial Dentures

For patients missing all of their teeth or whose remaining teeth are not healthy, we recommend conventional or full dentures. We will extract the remaining teeth, take an impression, and fabricate a custom denture that will replace all of the teeth in the top or bottom arch.

Partial dentures, on the other hand, are recommended for patients who are missing a few teeth, either in the upper or lower arch. This tooth replacement solution requires the support of neighboring natural teeth.

7 Common Options for Partial Dentures

The team at Legacy Dental will recommend the best type of denture based on your oral health, your budget, how many teeth you are missing, and your overall health. When you still have some remaining teeth, we will recommend partials. Partial dentures may be fixed or removable. Below are the most popular options for partials:

Removable Partials

The three most common options for removable partials include:

Cast Metal Partial

The most common type of removable partial denture is cast metal partials. They are made of a pink base with prosthetic teeth. It is held in place with 2 or more clasps, typically made of metal. Cast metal partials are highly stable and, with proper care, resistant to plaque build-up. This is ideal for patients who want a long-term solution.

Flexible Partial

Flexible partials are made of flexible plastic material that blends in with your gum tissue and natural teeth. This is an option for patients who are allergic to acrylic. If they crack or break, flexible partials must be replaced. Typially, this type of partial is only a temporary solution.

Acrylic Partial

Another temporary option is an acrylic partial or flipper tooth. It is made of an acrylic base, a replacement tooth/teeth, and may have metal clasps. This is the least expensive type of partial denture, as well as the least comfortable. This option is not meant to be long-lasting.

According to the experts, a flipper is a great option to fill in the gap for patients who are waiting on dental implants to heal before getting their final crown.

Fixed Partials

Fixed partials are non-removable dental prostheses that are permanently affixed to the neighboring teeth. They are also referred to as dental bridges. The four most common types of fixed partials include:

Traditional Bridge

A traditional dental bridge consists of one or more false teeth with a dental crown on each side. It may be made of all-metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or ceramic and depends on the natural teeth on each end of the gap to hold it in place.

Cantilever Bridge

A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional dental bridge but only has support the false tooth/teeth on one side.

Maryland Bridge

A Maryland bridge is commonly used to replace missing front teeth and is made of gold or porcelain. It has wings that bond to neighboring teeth on each side of the gap to keep it stable.

Implant-supported Bridge

An implant-supported bridge is an ideal solution for patients missing three or more teeth. It is like a traditional bridge but depends on implants on each side of the gap for support instead of being attached to natural teeth.

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Cost for Partial Dentures

On average, removable partials cost $1000 to $2,500 per arch. Flexible partials cost $900 to $2,000, and flipper teeth cost $300 to $500. A dental bridge is the most expensive, ranging from $3,000 to $6,500.

Many dental insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost of partial dentures. Our friendly office staff will work with your provider to determine coverage. If it is determined that your plan coverage is limited or will not cover treatment, we will let you know prior to treatment.

We do strive to make dental treatments affordable, so we offer a variety of options from payment plans to in-house financing (you need a credit card or checking account) to CareCredit and more. If you or someone you know is unable to afford dental treatment, please let us know and we'll try to work something out.

How to Choose the Best Partial for You

There are several different kinds of partials to choose from and your specific situation may make some more viable than others. Schedule your appointment today with the team at Legacy Dental to determine your options.

We will examine your mouth and consider the following:

Mouth anatomy and health, including remaining teeth
Overall health
Allergies that may limit your options
Aesthetic concerns you may have
Your preferred outcome

Once we've gathered this information, we will be able to recommend the best partial denture to fit your needs. In some cases, we may determine that partials are not the best option. In this case, we will be happy to recommend other options for you, such as full dentures, overdentures, or dental implants.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you are missing several teeth, schedule your consultation with Legacy Dental as soon as possible because missing teeth can lead to jawbone deterioration, which can compromise neighboring teeth. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We look forward to meeting with you and determining the best tooth replacement option for your situation.

‘‘We have had nothing but the best care from DR. CAMPBELL! We trust him fully with our dental care. One Sunday, a few months ago, he went on and beyond the extra mile by coming in to take care of our son’s bad abscessed tooth. We highly recommend him to friends and family. The entire staff is very friendly, helpful and professional.’’
Michael E. (Legacy Dental Patient)
‘‘I’ve had terrible dental experiences in my small town. I now drive three hours to get to Legacy Dental and it’s worth it - every time. They are efficient, kind, compassionate, professional, and honest. Their billing folks are top notch. I’ve recommended other people to them and they also agree. Legacy Dental is worth the long drive. ’’
Kristen J. (Legacy Dental Patient)
‘‘Every visit I’ve had has been positive and encouraging. I have been given thorough informative explanations whenever I’ve wanted to understand something better. All of the staff has been pleasant and friendly. It seems clear to me that people enjoy working here. The positive energy makes the whole experience less stressful. I can honestly say I’m looking forward to my next cleaning!’’
Robin-Elise C. (Legacy Dental Patient)

Partial Dentures FAQs

When it comes to partial dentures, our patients have a lot of questions. Some of the most common ones are:

How long do partials last?

There is no standard answer for this because there are several factors that impact the life expectancy of your partials, including your bite and how well you care for your denture.

Do partials look natural?

Since partial dentures attach the prosthetic tooth/teeth to the neighboring teeth, it's obvious that it is not emerging from the gums. Metal cast partials have a metal framework, so they do not look as natural as fixed partials. Dentures with clear/pink clasps are more expensive than those with metal but look more natural.

Can you eat with partial dentures?

You can eat with most types of partial dentures. The only caveat to that is flipper teeth, which are cosmetic. They are not strong enough to eat with. When you first get your dentures, cut up foods into smaller bites and chew on both sides of your mouth to even out the pressure. Sticky, hard foods will be challenging.

How do partials stay in place?

Fixed partials and Maryland bridges are glued in with dental cement. Removable partials typically have clasps, or you can use denture adhesive to hold them in place.

How often should you visit the dentist with dentures?

When you first get your dentures, you may visit more often until you get them adjusted to where they are comfortable. After that, like all patients, you will need to visit twice yearly for cleanings and check-ups.