Why Partial Dentures

Question 1

What are 7 uses of partial dentures?

Answer 1

• Appearance
• Speech
• Mastication
• Maxillofacial defects/ cleft palate.
• Prevention of tooth wear.
• Prevention of unwanted tooth movement (drifting, tilting, over-eruption).
• Prevention of lateral tongue spread.

Question 2

Why are front teeth important (outside of aesthetics).

Answer 2

Tongue on back of teeth helps produce VOWEL SOUNDS + consonants like f, v, and s.

Question 3

What are 2 disadvantages of tooth tilting?

Answer 3

• Plaque/ food trap.
• Difficult to make dentures due to undercuts.

Question 4

What is lateral tongue spread?

Answer 4

• SPECIFIC TO LOWER DENTURE WITH MISSING MOLARS.
• Tongue can spread to empty spaces making denture feel bulky and uncomfortable
• Patient may bite tongue.

Question 5

7 negatives of partial dentures?

Answer 5

• Plaque accumulation.
• Caries
• Gingivitis
• Periodontitis
• Oral Mucosal
• Gingival stripping
• Overloading of natural teeth.

Question 6

A patient comes in with rampant decay and perio disease in need of a denture. What is the first step of your treatment plan?

Answer 6

Get caries and periodontal disease under control.

Question 7

What causes gingival stripping?

Answer 7

Slight rocking movement of partial denture.

Question 8

What is an oral mucosal problem that can be caused by dentures? What causes it?

Answer 8

• Denture stomatitis.
• Caused by FUNGI called CANDIDA ALBICANS.
• Occurs when patient wears denture overnight and improper denture hygiene.

Question 9

In what specific areas do partial dentures increase plaque accumulation?

Answer 9

especially around the clasps.

Question 10

What 2 things can be done to minimize damage from partial dentures?

Answer 10

• Ensure well-fitting.
• Avoid tissue coverage where possible.