Treating Edentulism with a Removable Partial Denture

mm Written by Andrew Sedler

Edentulism affects millions of people in the United States. Dental treatment is vital for even those patients missing one tooth. Several treatment options include bridges, dental implants, dentures, and partial dentures. Each of these treatment options has pros and cons. For many edentulous patients, removable prostheses offer an excellent solution.

Partial dentures can help improve facial appearance, mastication, and phonetics and keep remaining teeth from moving. They offer an excellent option for patients where other treatment options are too costly to consider. The opportunity to integrate implants in treatment plans and create implant-assisted removable partial dentures (RPD) becomes an ideal option for many patients.

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Cast Metal Partial Dentures

Vitallium Partial Dentures - Burbank Dental Lab - Los Angeles

Partial dentures with cast metal frameworks are among the most prescribed restorations.

Vitallium 2000 and Vitallium 2000 Plus cast metal partial dentures are available at Burbank Dental Lab. In addition to providing superior strength, these restorations create a long-lasting solution to missing teeth.

Furthermore, Vitallium 2000 Plus can be adjusted similarly to gold without becoming deformed and offers a precision fit. While this material provides a high level of strength and durability, it can also support a smaller, lighter frame design to enhance comfort and aesthetics.

Benefits of Cast Metal Partial Dentures

Vitallium partial denture created by Burbank Dental Laboratory

Ideally, these partials are prescribed when the case requires rests or attachments to increase arch stability. This alloy is a form of cobalt-chromium.

The benefits of using this type of material are as follows:

  • Highly biocompatible
  • Resists the build-up of plaque
  • Beryllium and nickel free
  • Precision fit
  • Comfortable to wear
  • It does not deform when adjusted
  • Years of clinical success
  • Retains its luster

It is important to note that design knowledge is critical when creating these kinds of a prosthesis. The use of an improperly designed removable partial denture can promote bone loss on the abutment teeth, poor tissue reactions, and oral galvanism.

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Applications of a Removable Partial Denture

Edentulism: Finding the Perfect Fit with Partial Dentures

There are many applications for removable partial dentures. Multiple missing teeth can be replaced with a single prosthesis and provide a replacement for the hard and soft tissue.

Existing dentures can be modified to accommodate future tooth loss in cases where it is anticipated that the patient will suffer further tooth loss. The reversible nature of the method makes it an attractive treatment option and does not preclude more complex future treatments.

It can thus be used as both a definitive prosthesis and a temporary prosthesis or a diagnostic tool.

Vitallium 2000 Plus

Vitallium partial denture created by Burbank Dental Laboratory

Not all cobalt chrome alloys are the same. Burbank Dental Lab uses the Vitallium 2000 plus as it has the most extensive documented clinical success with over 40 years of use. This alloy is comprised of the following materials:

  • Cobalt (Co) 63.6%
  • Chromium (CR) 29%
  • Molybdenum (Mo) 5.25%

This formulation offers not only strength but unmatched fracture resistance. This material allows for the design of lighter frame designs while maintaining strength. This more lightweight frame design provides for premium comfort and compliance for patients.

Burbank Dental Lab designs the partial frames to be tooth-borne and retained to minimize the impact on the tissue. In addition, the framework is intended to mitigate the possible adverse effects on the tissue by incorporating minimal stress and trauma to the teeth being used for retention. The bite forces are designed to be spread evenly throughout the whole arch.

Using Burbank Dental Lab’s removable team and proper planning and communication, these removable restorative options offer an excellent opportunity for many patients.

A cast partial denture such as Vitallium 2000 must be properly planned and designed to succeed. When these restorative options are not planned or fabricated correctly, they can cause the patient harm, such as periodontal diseases, plaque build-up, and tooth decay.

Contact Burbank Dental Lab today for more information.

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Case Study

Burbank Dental Lab focuses on filling the needs of the dentists we serve on various levels. Our goal is to provide dental lab services that help achieve the highest level of support that help improve the lives of patients.

We were pleased to work on the following case that came to us from Dr. Stella Stavrou, who is working on her prosthodontic residency.

The patient presented edentulism on the maxillary arch with only two teeth remaining. He wanted to keep the two remaining teeth and opted for a removable prosthesis. The patient had a decreased vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO).

The case was mounted, and a wax-up was done on the occlusal of the two remaining teeth to open the vertical dimension to the desired opening for improved overall function. In cases like these, opening the vertical dimension is often indicated. The most significant determinant when considering opening the VDO is the wear on natural teeth or artificial teeth.

The wax-up was then transferred to a refractory model. The metal framework was waxed up with the occlusal surfaces included. The framework was cast and returned for a try-in of the frame and to check the new jaw relations. Dr. Stavrou set the teeth, and the partial was processed.


Case Study Photos

Case Study: Treating Edentulism with a Removable Partial Denture - Burbank Dental Lab - Burbank, Los Angeles
Case Study: Treating Edentulism with a Removable Partial Denture - Burbank Dental Lab - Burbank, Los Angeles
Case Study: Treating Edentulism with a Removable Partial Denture - Burbank Dental Lab - Burbank, Los Angeles
Case Study: Treating Edentulism with a Removable Partial Denture - Burbank Dental Lab - Burbank, Los Angeles
Case Study: Treating Edentulism with a Removable Partial Denture - Burbank Dental Lab - Burbank, Los Angeles

Burbank Dental Lab would like to thank Dr. Stella Stavrou for providing the case notes and pictures for the case shown above.

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Fabrication
of the future
is here!

Burbank Dental Lab has three new state-of-the-art Carbon M2 printers. We are very excited about the options that these cutting-edge printers will allow us to offer our dental clients. Here are some of the advantages that these printers will begin to deliver to you and your dental practice.

Our New
State-Of-The-Art
3d Printers

Carbon offers a highly dependable 3D manufacturing solution for many dental applications with its breakthrough Digital Light Synthesis™ technology, enabled by a wide range of dental materials.