Are My Teeth Too Weak for a Partial Denture?

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Could my teeth be too weak for a partial denture? My dentist wants to place a five-unit bridge for three upper left missing teeth. Gum disease destroyed a lot of my bones, so my dentist says a dental bridge is better than a partial denture. He is concerned that my teeth are already somewhat loose and that a partial denture will put too much pressure on them. The dental bridge is $6100 without the cost of extractions and sedation because I asked for IV sedation. Is that cost reasonable, or should I look elsewhere? Joan from Ga

 

Joan,

Your dentist’s fee is reasonable for Georgia. If you have dental insurance, you can check with the company to ask about coverage and your out-of-pocket costs for a dental bridge and a partial denture.

Are Your Teeth Too Weak for a Partial Denture?

Picture of a partial denture witha plastic base and clasps

Partial denture with plastic clasps

We don’t understand why your dentist recommends a dental bridge instead of a partial denture. A dental bridge will restore the function and appearance of your missing teeth. However, the bridge requires shaving down the tooth on either side of the missing ones. Shaving teeth that are already weak to support a dental bridge and absorb the forces of biting or chewing will further weaken your teeth. Also, if you have a problem with the anchor teeth in a dental bridge, you must restart the process.

Perhaps your case is different, but a partial denture exerts less stress on adjacent teeth and is less risky. Also, your dentist can add a tooth later to a partial denture with minimal work and expense.

We recommend scheduling a second opinion with a skilled cosmetic dentist for an exam and discussing your tooth replacement options.

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Read what he does to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.

 

 

Can I Replace a Partial Denture with Dental Implants?

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My partial denture is for two missing teeth that I regret having extracted. Is it too late to get dental implants? I am only 44 years old and tired of wearing a partial denture. I have had gum disease treatment for over a year, and I think it’s best to look for alternatives that don’t wear out other teeth and my gums. Thank you. Alan from Snellville, GA

Alan,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Brooksher’s office.

Can You Replace a Partial Denture with Dental Implants?

Yes, you can replace a partial denture with dental implants. The replacement will be a healthier option for the teeth next to the missing ones and your gums. An implant dentist must complete a comprehensive exam, evaluate your gum and bone health, and determine what’s needed to give you healthy implants.

  • Gum health – Your gum tissue must snuggly form around dental implants to support them. An implant dentist will ensure your gums are healthy and do not interfere with healing.
  • Jawbone health – You need enough quality jawbone because the bone is the foundation for dental implants. An implant dentist must complete a 3-D CT scan to evaluate bone quality and volume. If you have experienced bone shrinkage, you may need bone grafting to ensure the implants have solid support.

BioMed Research International published an August 2021 article on the biomechanics of partial dentures. The article lists the possible effects of removable partial dentures on the adjacent teeth that support it, including:

  • Stress during function, insertion, and removal of the partial denture
  • Bone shrinkage
  • Loss of the teeth supporting the partial denture
  • Partial denture failure

What Are the Benefits of Replacing a Partial Denture with Dental Implants?

Model of a dental implant with the crown, abutment, and root form labeled

A dental implant mimics a natural tooth and does not need support from other teeth

The benefits of replacing a partial denture with dental implants include the following:

  • Longevity – Dental implants can last a lifetime—outlasting a partial denture or a dental bridge.
  • Healthy for adjacent teeth – Implants do not clip onto or cover adjacent teeth for support.
  • Jawbone stimulation – Tooth roots, like dental implants, stimulate the jawbone, preventing shrinkage of jawbone.
  • Appearance – A dental implant resembles a natural tooth emerging through your gums. You will not have unsightly clasps on your teeth like a partial denture.

We recommend consulting with two credentialed implant dentists to discuss your options.

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Read how he strives to give patients some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.

Six Upper Teeth Left After Gum Disease. What Are My Options?

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I had a two-year battle with gum disease that left me with six upper teeth remaining. The teeth are unevenly spaced from tooth loss and disease. My dentist recommends dental implants, but implants are expensive, and they do not resolve the spacing issue. I am not against implants, but the thought of going into debt for them makes me anxious. Maybe I need to take more time to find affordable implants and dentures. I already wear an uncomfortable dental flipper and understand I can get a partial denture or another flipper. I have a lot of teeth to replace, but at 62 years old, with longevity in my family, I must do something about my missing teeth. My thoughts are scattered. What are your suggestions? Are dental implants my only option? – Antoinette from Austin, TX

Antoinette

Thank you for contacting Dr. Brooksher’s office. Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth and gums and take a 3-D T scan to determine your treatment options. Still, we can advise you on how to find a dentist to manage your case and give you a healthy, attractive smile.

Are Dental Implants Your Only Option?

It is unlikely that dental implants are your only option. Still, your treatment options depend on several factors, including:

  • Your oral health
  • The condition of your remaining teeth
  • Your jawbone volume and quality
  • The sizes of your remaining teeth
  • The extent of spacing between your teeth

Schedule a Consultation with a Cosmetic and Implant Dentist

We recommend searching for a dentist concerned about the function and appearance of your teeth and smile. You will benefit from a highly sympathetic dentist with advanced training in these areas:

  • Cosmetic dentistry
  • Dental implants
  • Occlusion and bite
Diagram of snap-on dentures. Dental implants are in the lower jawbone, and a denture with attachments in the base is hovering above the gumline.

A snap-on denture is an affordable option for dental implants

Although saving natural teeth is a dentist’s priority, affordable implant dentures can restore your smile if your remaining teeth do not support your long-term oral health. The dentist will explain options for natural-looking teeth replacement that complement your facial features and personality. An implant bridge may be an option for you.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist and Fellow of implantology, sponsors this post.

Does It Make Sense to Keep Weak Teeth and Get a Partial Denture?

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Face of a woman relaxed during dental treatment for information on sedation dentistry from Dr. Brooksher of Baton RougeMy dentist told me that I needed a five-unit bridge in early February. I asked for a partial denture, but my dentist says I have so much bone loss that a partial denture would put too much pressure on the teeth for the partial to hook onto them. The teeth are weak from gum disease. The cost estimate for the bridge is $5600. I think it’s easier to get all my teeth extracted and get a complete set of dentures. Does it make sense to keep weak teeth?  – Dwight from Kansas City, MO

Dwight,

Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth, digital x-rays, and dental records to give you an accurate diagnosis. But we can say that if most of your remaining teeth are healthy, you should not ask a dentist to extract all your teeth in exchange for complete removable dentures. It will create more problems that will affect your quality of life.

Dental Bridge or Removable Partial Denture?

How do a dental bridge and a removable partial denture compare? We will explain and briefly discuss an alternative.

Dental bridge

The cost your dentist quoted you for a dental bridge is reasonable. But we are not sure why he suggests a dental bridge instead of a removable partial denture. A dental bridge requires your dentist to shave down the teeth that anchor the denture. Shaving your teeth down and using them as anchors for a bridge will further weaken them.

Removable partial denture

A removable partial denture attaches to the tooth on either side of the missing one. The clasp can be metal or gum colored.

Implant-supported bridge

If your teeth are weak and in danger of declining, an implant-supported bridge may be an option for replacing your missing teeth and anchoring a dental bridge. Dental implants would support the ends of the bridge with replacement teeth in the middle. Speak with your dentist about this option.

Treat Gum Disease Before Restoring Teeth

If you are still battling gum disease and bone loss, your dentist needs to treat your gum disease and ensure it is stable before restoring your teeth. You may also need a bone graft to build up bone and protect your oral health.

Get a Second Opinion

We recommend that you see another dentist for a second opinion. Bring your dental records with you so the dentist can use them to give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Also, speak with the dentist about options for relieving your anxiety during the procedure.

Dr. Steven Brooker, a Baton Rouge Fellow of implant dentistry, sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is accredited by the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.