The basics
What is a partial denture?
A partial denture is a removable plate carrying one or more replacement teeth. It is made from impressions of your mouth, so it slots into the gaps and rests against the teeth around them. The replacement teeth are matched to your own in shade, size and shape, so they blend in when you talk and smile.
Partials stay in place with small clasps that hug nearby teeth, or with rests and precision attachments in some designs. Clasps are commonly metal, though tooth-coloured or gum-coloured clasps can be used where they would show. How the partial grips depends on which teeth are missing, how firm the remaining teeth are and how much biting force the denture has to handle.
You can have a partial for a single missing tooth or for many. Upper partials often cover part of the palate for support, while lower partials usually connect the two sides with a slim bar behind the front teeth.







