Partial Denture – Metal Frame Partial

A metal frame partial denture is a removable partial denture (RPD) that can be made when 2 or more of patient’s natural teeth remain in his/her upper or lower jaw, and can be used to anchor the partial denture. It usually consists of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum colored plastic bases which are connected by a metal framework. In general, the metal framework consists of connectors, rest stops, and clasps built around your existing natural teeth. It is worth all efforts to save lower teeth so they can be used to support the metal frame during construction of a partial denture.

A partial denture will:
· Replace missing natural teeth and restore your smile.
· Prevent “drifting” of teeth (if the missing teeth are not restored after extractions, the remaining natural teeth will move or “drift” creating spaces between them).
· Improve your bite and speech.
· Make chewing easier and more comfortable.

Better durability is a big advantage of the metal frame partial over the acrylic partial. The higher cost, the need for the teeth preps for the metal frame rest stops and longer time needed to fabricate, would account for the disadvantages of the metal frame partial over the acrylic partial.

Types of Dentures

The term “denture” is commonly used to describe the removable dental prosthesis. The main purpose of the dental prosthesis is to assist in chewing, speaking and to restore the cosmetic aspects of patient’s appearance. There are several types of dentures, depending on the need of the patient. Generally they can be categorized as follows:

1. Full or Complete Denture,
2. Immediate Denture,
3. Partial Denture:
- acrylic partial,
- metal frame partial,
- flexible partial.

Many years ago the porcelain teeth were used as a standard material for the artificial teeth for dentures. As porcelain is a very hard material, porcelain teeth were very hard on the gums and bones in the patient’s mouth, making them vulnerable to accelerated deterioration. Today, acrylic resin is used to produce highest quality artificial teeth that absorb the shocks generated during the chewing much better than the porcelain teeth; therefore, they are much easier on the gums and jaw bones of the patient. Acrylic teeth are also more “quiet” as they don’t “click” as loud as porcelain teeth during chewing and speaking. In the next few posts I will present in more detail the information about different types of dentures and the process of making them.