What is a Swing-Lock Removable Partial Denture?
Missing teeth can often be replaced with a removable partial denture. Often the cause of missing teeth is periodontal disease. Patients with periodontal disease have lost supporting bone around the teeth and the teeth are often slightly loose. If this is the case, or is many teeth are missing, patients may find it difficult to wear the partial denture that was designed for them. The denture may feel loose and uncomfortable. There may be several gaps between the partial and the teeth due to natural undercuts in the teeth that the partial does not fill in. (Filling in these areas might make it impossible to seat or place a standard partial denture) An alternative partial denture design is a Swing-Lock Removable Partial Denture.
Swing-Lock Removable Partial Denture
The metal framework of this type of partial incorporates a bar that hinges and when the denture is seated this arm of the partial is ‘swung’ towards the teeth where it will usually engage a point on all the remaining teeth and at the end of the bar is a clasp which snaps or presses into a metal piece in the body of the denture. Once the clasp is closed, there is very little movement of the partial as the individual struts on the swinging arm are engaging undercuts on each of the remaining teeth. The patient simply unhooks the swinging arm to remove the partial. The clasps are places in such a way as to be nearly invisible when the patient smiles!
Without Swing-Lock Removable Partial Denture
Patient is wearing the Swing-Lock Removable Partial Denture
Our office is very concerned with helping our patients function and look their best. Oral health is the primary focus. We would be happy to offer you suggestions for any dental concerns you may have. There are always options for your dental treatment! Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado (970) 242-3635 but we see patients from all over Colorado and Eastern Utah!