If you have multiple teeth in one spot in your mouth that have been lost or compromised due to advanced gum disease, fractures or severe tooth decay, it can have a serious impact on your quality of life. While the loss of function certainly impedes your ability to chew food, it can also cause you to slur your speech and be noticed in certain facial expressions.
In a situation like this, the dentists at Werschky, Lewis & Slatton Family Dentistry might recommend fitting you for a partial. Your dentist will usually want to examine your mouth and take a few x-rays to get a clear understanding of your underlying jaw structure and identify any other problematic teeth. If you have other teeth with issues in the area, your dentist might recommend having them extracted before fitting you for a partial.
A partial is like a smaller form of dentures. The artificial teeth are set into a material that mimics the appearance of your natural gum tissue. To be properly fitted with a partial the dentist will take an impression of your mouth, that is sent to a dental lab where your new partial is custom made to match your mouth.
Many people with a partial like to use denture adhesive to secure it in place. The adhesive also helps to block food particles from getting between the gums and your partial.
If you are interested in being fitted for a partial, please call Werschky, Lewis & Slatton Family Dentistry at (810) 671-5616 to schedule an appointment.