Partial dentures replace multiple missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Most of them require healthy adjacent teeth for secure placement. Unlike bridges, which are fixed permanently to adjacent teeth, partial dentures are removable, and are held in place with different types of attachments:
Clasp Attachments
A common form of partial denture has a metal clasp attached to the end of the denture that fits snugly around a supporting tooth, holding it securely in place. These clasps are sometimes visible when speaking or smiling.
Precision Attachments
Small interlocking metal parts on both the partial denture and the adjacent teeth connect together for an unobtrusive, secure fit. These dentures might require crowns for the adjacent teeth and can be more expensive than clasp attachments.
Flexible Partial Dentures
Made of thermoplastic material, flexible dentures use translucent, gum-colored extensions that discreetly fit around the base of the teeth near the gumline.
Implant-Supported Partial Dentures
Partial dentures use stud or clip attachments to hold the denture securely to the dental implants.