Re: Are Upper Dentures As Comfortable As Lower?

Thanks for the reply, Steve. The cost is the main reason I am debating
between the bridge(s) and the partial. All the options that I mentioned
are viable according to the dentist. It's about what to expect in
comfort and stability from an upper partial that I am trying to
determine. I don't understand why an upper partial would be as or more
comfortable - or "accepted," as you said - as a lower partial, if the
upper partial might have a pallete. And also if gravity is not working
with it to stay in the right position as it does with a lower partial.
Maybe you could explain this further if you want to.

The spaces involved are #2 (tooth), #3-#5 (missing), #11 (tooth), #12
(missing), #13 (tooth) and #14 (tooth). Let me know what you think
about the pallete, what would be the likely design. Of course, I will
also talk to the dentist about this if I choose a partial. It is hard
to gather all the information from the dentist, and frankly they do not
like to spend too much time explaining things, so I'm trying to get
some information on my own.


Steven Bornfeld wrote:
jdm003 wrote:
My mom has been wearing lower partial dentures for many years, so she
is familiar with how those feel. She leaves the partial in all day, so
she would do the same with an upper partial. Now she needs to decide
between a right-side upper partial covering three molars in combination
with a left-side bridge; an upper partial that covers the three
right-side molars and also covers one tooth on the left side; or
bridges on both sides.

I would like to hear from people that have upper partials (and dentists
can also reply with their expertise) how they feel, especially how they
might differ from a lower partial. Do they stay on as well? Are they
comfortable? Does anyone know if the partial would need a pallet (flat
piece under the roof of the mouth) in either of the options mentioned
above? I would like to get different opinions on this, so please
don't hesitate to reply even if there are already some replies.
Thanks a lot.


Generally speaking, upper partial dentures are accepted as well or
better than lower partials. The only caveat is for patients with a very
strong gag reflex, and for partials this means relatively very few patients.
How much of a palatal base would be required depends upon which teeth
are being replaced, and the location of the teeth to be clasped.
Generally removable partials are more stable when there are teeth being
replaced on both sides of the mouth. The selection process between
removable partials and fixed bridges depends upon the condition and
location of the remaining teeth (including periodontal condition),
esthetic concerns and cost. Most of the time the choice is between
fixed bridges on both sides and a removable appliance. If fixed bridges
aren't a good bet because of the condition of the teeth, a patient is
generally better off with a removable appliance replacing teeth on both
sides rather than a fixed bridge on one side.

Hope that's clear,
Steve

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Are Upper Dentures As Comfortable As Lower?
    ... Replacing this with a fixed bridge is a long span, ... this forces the 2 teeth at either end to do the work of 6--generally not ... I would like to hear from people that have upper partials (and dentists ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: Are Upper Dentures As Comfortable As Lower?
    ... I would like to hear from people that have upper partials (and dentists ... How much of a palatal base would be required depends upon which teeth are being replaced, and the location of the teeth to be clasped. ... The selection process between removable partials and fixed bridges depends upon the condition and location of the remaining teeth, ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: Are Upper Dentures As Comfortable As Lower?
    ... Replacing this with a fixed bridge is a long span, ... this forces the 2 teeth at either end to do the work of 6--generally not ... I would like to hear from people that have upper partials (and dentists ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: Are Upper Dentures As Comfortable As Lower?
    ... There is generally an adjustment necessary for speech even if there are no front teeth on the partial lower because of the major connector of the left and right sides. ... them, This is only taking a couple of minutes for me to explain, and would take less if I could speak instead of type and actually show you examples of different types of partials that I keep around the office for demonstration purposes. ... Replacing this with a fixed bridge is a long span, and while I have seen bridges stretching from 2 to 6 succeed, you can imagine that this forces the 2 teeth at either end to do the work of 6--generally not a good thing. ... I would like to hear from people that have upper partials (and dentists ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: Are Upper Dentures As Comfortable As Lower?
    ... I would like to hear from people that have upper partials (and dentists ... How much of a palatal base would be required depends upon which teeth ... fixed bridges on both sides and a removable appliance. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)