Tooth loss can impact almost every aspect of your daily life. Indeed, missing teeth can make it much more challenging for you to eat the foods you enjoy, find suitable employment, and foster meaningful relationships. Luckily, many general dentistry treatments (like partial dentures and dental bridges) can replace missing teeth to completely restore your smile.
Are you currently living with tooth loss? The sooner you address it, the better your oral health will be. Contact our restoration dentists in Las Vegas, NV, at (702) 456-0056 to see how we can help you repair your smile today.
In this blog post, our team discusses the similarities and differences between partial dentures vs. dental bridges. Understanding the differences between the two can help you choose the best appliance for your unique needs.
What are partial dentures?
Partial dentures are removable dental prosthetics that contain false teeth attached to a gum-colored base. They are ideal for replacing one or more teeth, but not necessarily in a row. This means that partial dentures can replace several missing teeth, even if they are on opposite sides of the same jaw.
Because partial dentures are removable, these appliances require some additional care. For instance, patients should remove their partials nightly to clean them and store them in water overnight. Patients may also require frequent adjustments to their partials, especially if they move or slip when in use.
What are dental bridges?
Dental bridges and partial dentures are similar, but there are a few key differences that set them apart.
While dental bridges can also replace many missing teeth, the teeth that bridges replace must be in a row. This means that a dental bridge cannot address intermittent tooth loss (i.e. missing teeth on opposite sides of the same jaw).
But, perhaps one of the best qualities of dental bridges is their permanence. These oral prosthetics rely on dental crowns cemented onto healthy, neighboring teeth to secure their position in the mouth. This means that they are remarkably stable.
And, because dental bridges are not removable, patients do not have to remove and clean them nightly. Instead, patients simply conduct regular dental hygiene, like twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing.
The only accommodation that patients should make when caring for their dental bridges is to use special tools to floss under their appliances. We recommend interdental picks or water flossers to properly clean between the gum tissue and dental bridge.
Partial Dentures vs. Dental Bridges: Which is right for me?
When it comes to choosing the right appliance for you, it is important to consider your dentition (dental pattern). For example, patients with one or more missing teeth in a row may be better candidates for dental bridges. Alternatively, patients with one or more missing teeth that are not in a row may be better suited for partial dentures.
Ultimately, a comprehensive consultation with a trusted dentist in Las Vegas, NV, will help you determine which prosthetic is right for you.
Restore Your Smile in Las Vegas, NV
Do you think that you could benefit from partial dentures or dental bridges? Ask the team at Miracle Dental to help you choose the best option for your smile, budget, and lifestyle. Simply call (702) 456-0056 or send us a message here to get started now.
