A “removable dental bridge” is a partial denture. You may sometimes see them referred to by the acronym RPD: Removable Partial Dentures. Removable dental bridges in Chestermere hold artificial teeth to replace missing teeth in your jaw. Where a permanent dental bridge may be held in place with dental implants or with crowns attached to teeth on one or both sides of your missing teeth, a removable dental bridge or partial denture is held in place with metal or flesh-coloured clasps that grip neighbouring teeth.
What are the benefits of a removable dental bridge?
Getting removable dental bridges near you is a much less invasive option for replacing missing teeth than, for example, a dental implant.
RPDs are easy to keep perfectly clean because they can be removed from your mouth so that you can soak them in and clean them with specialized denture cleaners. Once your RPD is out of your mouth, you’ll also have complete access to your gums and the edges of the neighbouring teeth to keep them clear of bacteria, food particles and plaque.
If you’ve been living with missing teeth in your jaw and suffering all the functional and cosmetic sacrifices involved with partial tooth loss, partial dentures can restore the form, function and fashion of a full set of teeth.
Teeth supported by a removable dental bridge are made from porcelain material that is formed and crafted to blend with your remaining natural teeth precisely in terms of colour, texture, size, shape and sheen. No one needs to know you’re wearing an RPD holding artificial teeth. It can be your little secret, not that it’s anything to be ashamed of.
How do you care for partial dentures?
Caring for a removable dental bridge obtained from a dentist in Chestermere is simple and straightforward, although it does require some intentional effort and diligence. Here are the tips to follow to keep your RPD clean, functional and completely natural in appearance:
- When cleaning your partial denture in your hands, do it over a basin of water or folded towel. Don’t do it over an empty sink. It’ll be easy to drop and they’re easily damaged and broken
- Use a denture cleaner recommended by a dentist near you, not toothpaste. Toothpaste is ideal for your teeth, but may be too harsh for cleaning the denture
- If you don’t have any denture cleaner on hand, try hand soap or mild hand dishwashing soap, but be sure to rinse your removable partial bridge thoroughly before putting it back in your mouth
- Your goal when cleaning your RPD is to ensure that all food particles are removed from it to prevent the development of any stains or odours
- To clean your denture, use a specialized denture brush or soft-bristled toothbrush. Using a denture brush is by far the preferred option since its bristles are designed — in terms of shape, size, texture and stiffness — to clean your denture without causing any damage
- Don’t let your removable dental bridge dry out. In order for your RPD to maintain its shape — and therefore to fit properly and do its job aesthetically and functionally — it needs to stay moist. The best way to do that is to soak it in water or specialized soaking solution overnight. Don’t just leave it sitting out on a bedside table or vanity.
If you’re missing a few teeth but your remaining natural teeth are healthy, you have more than one option for restoring what you’ve lost. Dental implants are the gold standard, but involve the most invasive procedures and largest expense. Ask a dentist near you if a removable dental bridge is a good option for helping achieve your goals.