Removable Partial Prosthesis over natural teeth

Removable dentures are designed to replace missing teeth and the bone structures that atrophy over time once teeth have been lost, using dental apparatus equipped with artificial teeth that can (and must) be removed from the mouth to clean them. They improve chewing, speech, and the patient"s appearance. These removable dentures are held in place using flexible devices called retainers (commonly called "clasps") that hook onto the natural teeth, which at times are also supported on the bone covered by mucous membrane.

For this reason, when you bite down on them you will note a slight rocking movement, and chewing is not as effective as with natural teeth.

Limitations

• Over time, the remaining natural teeth change position, especially those that are "pushed" by the prosthesis and, in addition, the bone on which they rest also changes its shape, with which these devices get mismatched, producing some discomfort, including ulcerations, which require adaptation by the dentist and, after a variable time, replacement by another new prosthesis.
• Metal elements, and to a lesser extent acrylic elements, may experience fractures with use. These fractures require immediate repair to avoid possible problems caused by broken structures.
• As for chewing, removable prostheses are not able to replace the original teeth. Its capacity of cutting and crushing, as well as the force that we can exert on this type of prosthesis is less than that which can be exerted on our teeth.
• The balancing characteristic of this type of prosthesis means that, above all, foods that are fragmented into small, hard particles (such as nuts), can be introduced under the denture, with the discomfort that this causes.

Adaptation and adjustment to the removable denture

• The removable dentures, when biting on them, transmit the forces of mastication to the teeth, gums and bone, so they need special care in their adaptation period, which varies according to patients and prostheses (usually several weeks).
• It is necessary that the prosthesis carrier be patient and be as collaborative as possible during this period of adjustment, going to the clinic to make the necessary adaptations and corrections.

• The first thing that is noticed is a feeling of occupation or foreign body, which usually disappears in a few weeks. This also stimulates the production of saliva, a situation that gradually normalizes.
• It is usually experienced a decrease in the sense of taste, something that is recovered after a few weeks.
• The diction is altered, being able to exist problems at the time of pronouncing some sounds. With specific training to learn to vocalize the words that present the most difficulties when pronouncing them, it is usually achieved in a few weeks.
• The internal part of the cheeks and tongue is very common to bite due to the tendency to introduce them unconsciously in spaces where teeth are missing, a situation that in a short time one learns to avoid.
• Even the feeling of pressure on the teeth and gums that cause masticatory forces usually disappears in a short time.