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What are removable partial dentures?
When only a few teeth are missing, a partial denture is advised for the
patient. The first choice of course would be a fixed partial denture (FPD).
Unfortunately an FPD can replace only limited number of teeth. Replacing
too many lost teeth with an FPD would place tremendous strain on the remaining
teeth. So in these cases, a removable partial denture (RPD) would be the
ideal choice. The removable partial denture can be placed and removed by
the patient and can be made to replace many missing teeth.
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What are cast partial dentures?
A removable partial denture can be made of acrylic (plastic like material)
or a combination of acrylic with metallic framework. The metallic framework
is usually made of cast metal. The metal used may be gold based or chrome
cobalt alloy.
These metallic dentures or cast partial dentures are much superior to the
regular acrylic dentures. |
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How do the partial dentures stay in place?
Partial dentures use a variety of mechanisms to stay in place. Close physical
contact of the denture with the underlying soft tissue along with the intervening
saliva provides one means of retention. In addition the cast partial dentures
have metallic clasps, which hold on to the remaining teeth that help in
keeping the denture in place. |
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