A “partial” is a dental prosthetic that allows for the placement of a series of artificial teeth in an area where healthy teeth used to exist. They can be made from a variety of materials, and can contain as many teeth as are missing in either jaw. However, once all teeth are lost in either the mandibular (lower) or maxillary (upper) jaws, a complete (or, full) denture would be necessary.
As such, partials are often referred to as “partial dentures.” This dental procedure code refers to a partial utilized in the upper jaw.
When a person experiences the loss of several teeth in either jaw, outside of dental implants, or a bridge, the only real solution is a partial denture. This prosthetic allows for an aesthetic look, and reasonable level of comfort due to the anchoring effect provided by the mouth's remaining healthy teeth.
A partial is designed to be affixed to these teeth, which not only act as a strong stabilizer for the prosthetic, but can enhance the appearance of your smile by making the partial seem more real.
The partial described in this dental procedure code is fully constructed of acrylic resin, and is both reasonably comfortable and sturdy. Comfort is a primary reason for choosing this type of denture, as these partials are quite flexible and can bend and give.
Fabrication of this partial starts with an impression mold; palate, tooth, and bite measurements; and a recording of tooth color and shade.
These details are used by a dental lab to fabricate the partial, and it’s generally ready for a final fitting after two return visits to your care provider.
To look up and find more CDT dental codes from the American Dental Association, please visit our complete Dental Procedure Code Library.