Cast Partial Dentures

At VILIDA in Obolon, a cast partial denture is planned by a prosthodontist. The prosthodontist examines the teeth that will support the denture and your gums, takes an X-ray if needed and suggests the type of retention: clasps, attachments, telescopic crowns or a metal-free design. Each denture is made individually from impressions of your jaw.

• On your teeth

  clasps or attachments hold it in place

• Removable

  taken out for cleaning and at night

• Thin frame

  on the upper jaw it usually leaves the palate uncovered

• 4 types

  clasps, attachments, telescopes, metal-free

Who a cast partial denture is for

A cast partial denture replaces several missing teeth when you still have natural teeth nearby to rest it on. The prosthodontist will tell you whether it suits you after an examination.

What a cast partial denture looks like

The denture is built on a cast framework: a bar from which the saddles for the artificial teeth and the clasps branch off. The saddles are covered with gum-coloured acrylic and carry the artificial teeth. On the lower jaw the bar runs on the tongue side behind the front teeth; on the upper jaw it runs along the palate.

The clasps sit on the side teeth, so they are usually barely visible when you talk, and the bar is hidden on the tongue side. If no metal should show at all, attachments or a metal-free denture are chosen — see below.

Types of cast partial dentures

Cast partial dentures differ in how they hold on to your own teeth. This affects how visible they are, how the teeth are prepared and the cost.

• With clasps

  Metal clasps wrap around the supporting teeth. The simplest and most affordable option; clasps are placed mainly on the side teeth so they do not show when you smile.

• With attachments

  One part of a precision attachment is fixed to a crown on the supporting tooth, the other to the denture. The attachments are invisible, the denture clicks into place and sits firmly; the supporting teeth are covered with crowns.

• With telescopic crowns

  Thin metal copings are fixed on the supporting teeth, and the denture fits over them like a sleeve. It holds firmly, but the supporting teeth need to be prepared.

• Metal-free

  The framework and clasps are made of a strong polymer in tooth or gum colour. It is chosen when metal is not an option because of an allergy or when clasps should not catch the eye; the polymer is more flexible than metal.

The prosthodontist will choose the type after an examination: it depends on how many teeth are missing, the condition of the supporting teeth and how important it is that the denture stays invisible.

Cast partial denture or another option

When several teeth are missing, there are usually several options. This short comparison will help you prepare questions for your consultation.

An upper acrylic denture usually covers most of the palate, while a cast one rests on it with only a narrow bar, so it is easier to get used to.

How a cast partial denture is made

1. Examination and plan

   prosthodontic consultation

   The prosthodontist examines your teeth and gums, takes an X-ray if needed, chooses the type of retention and gives you the cost. If teeth or gums need treatment, that comes first.

2. Preparing the teeth

   if needed

   For clasps, small rests are sometimes shaped on the supporting teeth so the denture does not sink. For attachments and telescopes, the supporting teeth are covered with crowns.

3. Impressions

   an exact model of the jaw

   The prosthodontist takes impressions, and a dental technician casts a model from them and makes the framework on it.

4. Try-in

   framework and teeth

   First the framework is tried in: how it seats on the teeth and whether it interferes with the bite. Then the artificial teeth: their shade and shape are agreed with you.

5. Fitting and adjustment

   how to put it in and take it out

   The prosthodontist checks the bite, shows you how to put the denture in and take it out, and books a check-up: any spots that rub are adjusted.

Wearing and caring for a cast partial denture

You get used to the denture gradually: in the first days it feels large, your speech may change and the gums may get sore. There is no need to put up with pain: the prosthodontist will adjust sore spots at the check-up.

• Put the denture in with your fingers, as the dentist showed you, and do not bite it into place — this keeps the clasps from bending.
• Every morning and evening, take the denture out and clean it with a soft brush and soap or a denture cleaner, not toothpaste — toothpaste damages the surface.
• Clean the denture over a sink filled with water or over a towel, so it does not break if you drop it.
• Brush your own teeth, especially those that hold the denture, just as carefully: plaque builds up around the clasps.
• Take the denture out at night and keep it in water or a denture-soaking solution, unless your dentist advises otherwise: food gets trapped under it, which increases the risk of gum infection and tooth decay.

If the denture starts to wobble, click, rub or breaks, do not wait for your regular check-up. Gums change over time, and the denture needs to be adjusted.

How much a cast partial denture costs

The price depends on the type of retention, the number of clasps or attachments and whether the supporting teeth need crowns. The prosthodontist will give you the exact cost after an examination.

Questions and answers