In many cases, partial dentures offer the flexibility to be able to add new teeth onto your existing plate instead of you having to get a new partial denture entirely. This may be needed following an extraction or tooth loss of reaming natural teeth; or breaking or losing an existing artificial tooth on your current denture plate.
By coming straight to a denture clinic like Total Denture Care with an in-house laboratory, you can have a tooth or teeth added onto your current plate conveniently and efficiently. You will be without your denture for a lesser amount of time as opposed to a dentist/denture clinic who may not have this facility on-site and will need to send it away. Being able to directly access the service will generally save you money too plus you will be able to seek more details on the process and quality of materials being used.
What are some factors that may affect whether new teeth can be added to your current denture plate?
- The type of partial denture and what material it is made from.
Generally speaking, acrylic partial dentures are most suitable to cost effectively and easily add a new tooth onto a current plate saving you money and time. In addition, acrylic dentures have the option to convert the design from a partial denture to a full denture should the need arise.
With cast metal chrome partial dentures, additional teeth can be added in most circumstances; however, this can be a more expensive and longer process as a metal pin may need to be welded onto the plate to assist with strength of holding the new tooth.
For flexible Valplast partial dentures, the cost of adding a tooth will also be higher and longer – it also depends on whether the original design of the denture can accommodate this too.
- The location of the additional tooth/teeth can affect the cost, time & possibility of addition. Depending on location of tooth or teeth added, this can change the path of insertion, fit, retention and stability of the denture, due to the original fabrication being surveyed and design to suit the dentition which were missing at that time. Depending on where and how many teeth are missing, the design of a denture may be altered to best accommodate the additional teeth.
- The health of your remaining teeth may also affect the planning of additions. Other loose teeth can affect whether impressions will be able to be easily taken and may require extraction prior. If the remaining teeth are decayed and need to be restored, this would generally need to be completed prior to modification of the denture, otherwise it can affect the fit once the restoration is done and be costlier to alter later. If there is a poor prognosis of other remaining teeth, in some cases it may be better to have those teeth extracted and replaced in the same treatment plan as this will save costs.
What is the process of having a new tooth added or replaced to your current denture?
- Consultation with our Dental Prosthetist
- Treatment Plan options presented to add a tooth/teeth to current plate vs new plate
- Impressions taken and tooth/teeth colour and shape selected
- Tooth/teeth is added in laboratory
- Denture with new tooth/teeth added is inserted; bite adjusted and other adjustments made if needed for a comfortable fit
- Follow up if any further adjustments needed
On many occasions, at Total Denture Care a tooth/teeth can be added to your current plate within three hours or the same day reducing the inconvenience of not having your denture.
Do you need a tooth added to your current partial denture?
Book an appointment with our Dental Prosthetist today on 9317 7777 or info@totaldenturecare.com.au to run through the best option for you. Whether it be a denture repair or a tooth addition for a planned extraction or unplanned tooth loss, we are here for you.
