Here at Mabel Dental Lab, we provide our Smile Partners with dental lab services like partial dentures. Partial dentures correct a gap of one or more missing teeth, providing a full bite for eating and speaking.
Here are the steps required to create your partial dentures (can be used to aid patients):
1. Consultation
Our dental lab requires a prescription slip Rx to craft your dental device first. Your dental care provider will meet with you in person to see if you’re a candidate for partial dentures. Candidates should have one to a few missing teeth, and their remaining teeth must be in good health to support the partial.
Once you’ve been approved for a partial device, your provider will walk you through your options and preferences. Partial dentures can be removable, non-metal, or made from flexible material. You may even choose a combination of these properties to enhance strength and comfort. After this consultation, your provider will schedule an appointment to make your dental impressions.
2. Digital or Physical Impressions
Dental impressions are digital or physical copies of your teeth and mouth. Traditional methods involve biting down into a soft material that slowly hardens, creating a mold. Digital impressions are made by scanners, which create a 3D digital model of your mouth.
To send us your case, providers will fill out a prescription Rx form from our website. These slips are customized for certain products and services, like for dental implants or Snap-On Smile®. We recommend that providers carefully package their physical impressions to prevent damage during shipping. For identification purposes, cases should be in different plastic bags with their specific prescription Rx stapled to the outside.
Digital impression files may vary depending on the intraoral scanner. We accept these digital file types on our website, which allows providers to upload raw files without having to convert them. We can check the overall fit of your device digitally by creating 3D models with a computer or traditionally with handmade sculptures.
3. Manufacturing
Depending on the type of product you are requesting, multiple fabrication techniques are used. For dental partials, our technicians will sculpt recreations of your missing teeth. A mold is then made from these sculptures, allowing us to cast a realistic-looking prosthetic. These prosthetics can be semi-translucent and color-matched to your existing teeth.
Some dental partials require clasps to hold the prosthetic in place. The clasps wrap around each tooth on either side of the missing gap. Clasps can be made from metal or transparent plastic. DurAcetal® is a type of partial that doesn’t need clasps, as it grips to the natural undercuts of abutment teeth for a secure hold. Once your device is ready for a test fit, we will ship a wax replica to your provider.
4. Adjusting and Testing Your Device
Your next appointment will be a fit test. This is where your provider will place a wax try-in device, allowing you to test your bite and overall feel for comfort purposes. Your dental device should be comfortable and functional while you’re wearing it. It should not shift when eating or speaking, as this can cause gum irritation and mouth sores.
If adjustments are necessary, we can make those corrections by shaving away excess material on the final device. We will then smooth and polish your denture for your last fitting. Our turnaround time for completing your partial can take up to a week after your test fit appointment.
5. Final Fitting and Care Instructions
The final fitting will be your last appointment with your provider, during which you will take your denture home with you. Your provider will show you how to place your new device and allow you to request any other adjustments if necessary. Do not force your denture into place, as this could harm you or the device. It’s common to also receive a case for your denture so that you can remove and store it safely.
While most of our devices are stain-resistant, you should clean your dentures daily. Bacteria and debris can gather on and under your device. We recommend brushing your device with a soft-bristled toothbrush and soaking it with a denture cleanser overnight.
Repair Services
If your denture breaks, such as a clasp coming loose or the acrylic base cracking, we can correct that for you. We use laser welding to repair most cases without damaging the acrylic or porcelain prosthetic teeth. Our laser welding does not require soldering, as it joins parent metals together naturally. We have limited availability with same-day repair services, and we recommend that you schedule your repair in advance. The one exception is flexible partials in which can often be repaired but are not always recommended. This is due to the nature of the material itself in which repairs can be quite costly.
Learn More About Our Dental Lab Services
At Mabel Dental Lab, we provide high-quality dental lab services for both dentists and labs. We offer both fixed prosthetics and removable products like mouthguards and implants. Contact us today to learn more about partials and what we can do for you.
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