Wearing a partial denture is an affordable and effective solution to restore function and improve your smile when you have some missing teeth. But when you first receive your partials, it is not uncommon for them to feel tight or snug. This is because they need to properly adapt to your mouth and its unique shape.
However, within two weeks of wearing them regularly, you should notice a significant improvement in comfort as your mouth adjusts to the partials. During this initial period, it is essential to pay attention to any sore spots or areas of persistent tightness. It’s normal to have a few minor adjustments needed to achieve the perfect fit.
If after a week of wearing your partials, you still experience tightness or discomfort in specific areas, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with your dentist to evaluate the fit and identify any areas that require adjustment. By this time, you will likely have a better understanding of the exact areas that feel tight or problematic, allowing your dentist to focus on those specific spots.
Causes of Discomfort and Pain with Partial Denture
There are some instances where your partial denture may cause discomfort or pain. Fortunately, most of these issues can be easily resolved with adjustments.
Here are some of the likely reasons for this:
- The Partial Is Too Tight
When you first receive your partial denture, it may fit tightly to ensure a secure hold. While this is beneficial to prevent the prostheses from falling out, it can sometimes be overly tight and cause discomfort. If you experience pain due to the tightness, it’s important to inform your dentist. They can make necessary adjustments to loosen the partial, providing a more comfortable fit.
- The Partial Is Too Loose
Over time, as you remove and insert your partial denture, the clasps that wrap around your remaining teeth can become loose. This can lead to discomfort and instability. Luckily, fixing this issue is straightforward. During an adjustment appointment, your dentist can use specialized tools to tighten the clasps, ensuring a secure fit and alleviating any discomfort.
- Changes in Your Gum Tissue
When teeth are extracted, the gum tissue and underlying jawbone in that area may undergo changes and start to shrink or deteriorate. These changes can impact the fit of your partial denture, causing pain or discomfort. To address this issue, your dentist can add new acrylic material underneath the partial denture. This additional material molds to the new shape of your gums, enhancing the fit and restoring comfort.
How to adjust partial denture clasps for aesthetics
Partial dentures consist of false teeth attached to a resin base, which is secured to abutment teeth using metal clasps. However, these clasps can be a source of pain and discomfort for partial denture wearers, hence the need to adjust them in order to improve their appearance, fit, and functionality. So, what should be your next step?
Step 1: Identify the main problem with the clasps Problems with Clasps:
Clasps can be problematic for various reasons, including aesthetic concerns, limited stability, and gum soreness from being too tight or too loose. The metal clasps may appear unnatural and be visible when smiling. They can also allow food debris to become trapped, causing them to harbor bacteria. These issues can affect the overall comfort and satisfaction of wearing partials.
Step 2: Improving aesthetic concerns of clasps
To address aesthetic concerns, resin clasps that blend with gum tissue can be used. Alternatively, metal clasps can be sandblasted to reduce their shine and make them less noticeable.
Step 3: Improving function of clasps
If clasps are loose or too tight, visiting the dentist for adjustments is necessary. In some cases, a denturist may be consulted for a reline to ensure a better fit on the underlying tissue. Regular dental follow-ups and appropriate cleaning strategies can help manage bacteria accumulation on the clasps.
Home Remedy to Adjust Clasps on Thermoplastic Flexible Partial Dentures
Thermoplastic flexible partial dentures provide a comfortable and durable solution for missing teeth. However, there may be instances when adjustments are required to ensure optimal fit and functionality.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of fixing clasps on your thermoplastic partial denture at home.
Step 1: Assess the Issue
If you experience pain while biting down, it could be due to an open bite or overextended flange. Examine the occlusion and flange of your denture to identify the potential cause of discomfort.
Step 2: Loosening Tight Clasps
If you feel discomfort due to the tightness of a clasp, you can attempt to loosen it slightly:
- Submerge the specific area of the clasp in hot water for approximately 30 seconds.
- Then, remove it and hold it under running cold tap water while gently bending the clasp outward. This should help alleviate the tightness.
- Conversely, if you need to tighten a clasp, follow the same procedure but bend the clasp inward instead.
Step 3: Using the Right Tools
Thermoplastic materials require specific tools for adjustment. Regular tools used for conventional removable dentures and partials may not be effective. Ensure you have the following tools handy for making adjustments:
- Carbide Burs: These are designed to cut through thermoplastic materials effectively.
- Green Mounted Stones: Ideal for chair-side adjustments, these stones help in shaping and smoothing the denture.
- Large Rubber Point: Use this tool for smoothing the surface after making adjustments.
- Small Rubber Point: This is also useful for smoothing and refining the surface of the denture.
- Carving Knife: In case fibers appear during the adjustment process, use a carving knife to remove them.
Step 4: Making Adjustments to the Clasps
- Set your handpiece to a low speed (around 32,000 to 35,000 rpm) and use light scraping back and forth movements with the appropriate tool to reduce the desired area.
- Keep the tool in constant motion and avoid applying excessive pressure to prevent burning or distorting the denture.
It’s important to be cautious and work slowly to achieve the desired results.
Step 5: Smoothing and Polishing
After making adjustments, use rubber wheels or points to smooth the surface of the denture. Brown rubber wheels or points are often effective in leaving the case smooth and shiny, eliminating the need for additional polishing. If any threads remain after adjustments, carefully remove them using a sharp blade.
Consider using Precision-Fit Partial Dentures
Precision-fit partial dentures offer an alternative to clasps. These dentures are secured using other methods rather than clasping onto abutment teeth.
- Option 1: Attachments or crowns on abutment teeth
One option is using attachments or crowns placed on abutment teeth, onto which the precision-fit dentures can snap. This approach improves aesthetics and provides better comfort during eating.
- Option 2: Flexible Partials
Flexible thermoplastic partial dentures are another type of precision-fit partials. They are thinner, fit more naturally, and can be suitable for individuals with gum recession or exposed tooth roots.
- Option 3: Implant-supported partials
For patients concerned about stability, partial dentures supported by implants can be considered. These precision-fit partials attach to posts embedded in the jawbone. Although more expensive, they can help retain bone mass and conceal gum tissue loss.
Final Thoughts
Experiencing pain or discomfort with your partial denture is not uncommon, because your partial is too tight, too loose, or changes in your gum tissue. The good news is that most of these issues can be resolved through adjustments at home or by your dentist.
By following the step-by-step instructions and utilizing the appropriate tools, you can make adjustments to the clasps on your partial denture at home. You can also opt for precision-fit partials that offer an alternative to clasps, providing improved comfort, stability, and cosmetic appeal.
Whether you choose to enhance the fit and function of clasps or explore precision-fit options, consulting your dentist will ensure you find the best solution for your individual needs.
Remember, the comfort and functionality of your partial dentures are crucial for your oral health and overall well-being. So, if you experience ongoing tightness or discomfort after the initial adjustment period, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist.
References
https://www.drharveysmiles.com/post/can-you-improve-or-remove-partial-denture-clasps
https://www.gadentures.com/blog/3-reasons-why-your-partial-is-painful/
https://www.arklign.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Flexible-Partial-Adjustment-Techniques.pdf
