A removable partial denture (RPD) is for a partially edentulous dental patient with one or several missing teeth who desires to have replacement teeth for functional or esthetic reasons, and who cannot have a bridge or an implant for any number reasons, such as a lack of required teeth to serve as support for a bridge (i.e. distal abutments) or due to lack of adequate bone support for implants.

The reason why this type of prosthesis is referred to as a removable partial denture is because patients can remove and reinsert them when required without professional help. Conversely, a "fixed" prosthesis can and should be removed only by a dental professional.

What is a Removable Partial Denture?

• A removable partial denture is an appliance that replaces one or several missing teeth.
• It is attached to the remaining teeth with clasps, and is removable by the wearer.
• Dentures are made by general dentists or by specialists called Prosthodontists.

What are the benefits of having a partial denture?

A denture serves a number of purposes:

• It provides the pleasure of comfortable eating. This ability is paramount in maintaining good health.
• It improves your appearance, confidence and smile. This is achieved by restoring the natural contours of the lips, cheeks and face.
• It improves your appearance, confidence and smile. This is achieved by restoring the natural contours of the lips, cheeks and face.
• When loss of teeth has affected speech, a removable partial denture can correct this by closing the spaces left by lost teeth.
• It helps to maintain the healthy relationship between upper and lower jaws. The correct positioning of the jaws is necessary to prevent jaw joint problems.
• It also protects the health of the remaining oral tissues.
• The denture prevents other teeth from drifting into the gaps left by extractions. When teeth drift they open additional spaces between teeth.
• Food can then pack into the narrow spaces and cause gum irritation and gum disease.
• Additional teeth can usually be added to a partial denture when some remaining teeth have to be extracted.

How is a partial denture designed?

• A removable partial denture is designed to rest on the gums and/or palate, as well as on the remaining teeth.
• It clips onto the teeth by means of metal clasps, which help to hold it firmly in place.
• The artificial teeth are part of the acrylic and metal base of the denture.

What are partial dentures made of?

Immediate dentures will need to be adjusted periodically until they are comfortable.

• The base of the denture is made of acrylic or metal. Metal is preferable because it is stronger and easier to keep clean.
• The gum areas are made of acrylic.
• The artificial teeth are made of acrylic or porcelain.