Removable partial dentures are often used to replace one or several missing teeth. The most common type of removable partial dentures are all acrylic and metal-acrylic.

All acrylic partial dentures are usually considered temporary or interim partials. They are used to replace missing teeth while healing occurs when teeth are lost. Wires are embedded in the plastic to “clasp” the teeth for retention in the mouth.

Metal-acrylic partials are the most common type of definitive partial denture. They are made out of a combination of a metal substructure which is supported by both teeth and gums, pink plastic which replaces the missing gum tissue, and plastic denture teeth. They utilize either endosseous implants or metal “clasps” or hooks which hold on to the remaining teeth to hold the appliance in the mouth.

                                         

    

                                                                          

              

 

Implant supported Removable               Patient's upper jaw

Partial Denture

 

            

            

Removable Partial Denture                   Patient's smile with

in the mouth                                          the new appliance