Wisdom Teeth: Removal, Maintenance and Cavity Prevention

Choosing material for your partial dental plate

If you have lost a tooth, or a couple of teeth, then you have probably looked into the option of getting a partial dental plate. It's a reliable option that is cheaper than other solutions, like dental implants. However, partial dental plates can vary quite a lot in functionality depending on what material they are made of. If you are looking to get a partial dental plate, you should know a little bit about the different materials available to be able to choose which type would suit you best.

Metal

Metal dental plates essentially consist of a mixture between metal and acrylic. The framework going on the roof of your mouth and the clasps holding on to your healthy teeth as stabilisation are metal, while the visible tooth and gum parts are made from acrylic so that they blend in with your natural teeth. The metal parts of the dental plate are moulded after your mouth, and the clasps attaching to your teeth are adjustable, which decreases the risk for chafing to occur. Metal plates are also very durable and unlikely to break. Although a durable option, a metal dental plate needs to be taken care of a little differently than other types of dental plates, as you can't use all types of cleaning products on it. Make sure you ask your dentist about what cleaning products can be used to not damage your metal dental plate.

Acrylic

Acrylic is possibly the most common option for partial dental plates, as it is a cheap material that has the ability to look rather natural in your mouth. Acrylic dental plates usually, like metal dental plates, have clasps that you can adjust to better fit your teeth, which is an advantage, as it requires less work to make your dental plate fit properly. Acrylic is, however, a rather weak material and is prone to break or crack. Acrylic might, therefore, be cheaper to begin with but become more expensive, as you might need to replace it later on.

Valplast

Valplast dental plates are made from a certain type of flexible acrylic that looks natural in your mouth. It's also less prone to break than ordinary acrylic dental plates, as the material is more soft and flexible. A downside to these types of dental plates is that the clasps are usually not adjustable, which might become a problem over time when your mouth or the dental plate is changing and you can't tighten the clasps for a better fit in your mouth. This type of dental plate might therefore also need to be changed after awhile to ensure a proper fit.

For more information about your options for your dental plate, contact a local dental clinic. 


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