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 This is a plate with a number of false teeth on it.
It may well be all plastic or a mixture of metal and
plastic. Both types may have retaining clips (clasps),
to help keep the denture in place in the mouth. Depending
on where they are, some of these clips may be visible
when you smile or open your mouth.
Usually plastic,
and occasionally porcelain. Each replacement tooth
is made specially, to get the right shape, colour
and size for you.
Plastic partial dentures are less
expensive to make but unless they are designed very
carefully they can damage the teeth they fit against.
Metal partial dentures are usually made from an alloy
of cobalt and chromium and they are much stronger.
They are lighter to wear and can be supported by the
remaining teeth. Although the base is metal, they have
gum-coloured plastic and natural-looking teeth fixed
to them. They are more expensive than the plastic ones.
Be guided by your dentist. He or she will know the
condition of your remaining teeth. In most cases a
metal-based partial denture gives the best result,
but the higher cost may make you decide against it.
You should remove the denture from your mouth for
cleaning. We will show you how to clean it, probably
with a small toothbrush and toothpaste, or by soaking
it in cleansing solution. If you have a metal based
denture you'll need to choose a cleansing solution
that's suitable for metal.
No, you should really leave it in water.
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