Losing one or several teeth, whether to decay, gum disease or an accident, makes chewing harder, affects speech, and lets the neighboring teeth drift into the gap. A removable partial denture fills that gap in a short time and at a moderate cost. The question patients ask us most is how an acrylic base differs from a metal base, and which one to choose. Here is a clear comparison.
What a partial denture is
A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces some missing teeth. The replacement teeth sit on a base, and clasps or a framework grip the natural teeth that remain to hold it in place. Choosing the right type matters because it affects chewing, speech, comfort and the look of your smile.
The main choice is the material of the base, and there are two.
Acrylic-base partial dentures
The base is made of gum-colored acrylic resin. It is light and inexpensive to make, and it usually holds on with wire clasps around the neighboring teeth. It suits people who want an affordable denture, or one to wear temporarily while waiting for other treatment, such as a dental implant.
Advantages
- Lower starting price than a metal base.
- Easy to repair, reline, or add a tooth to if another tooth has to be removed later.
- Light, and quick to make.
Disadvantages
- Less strong. It can break if dropped.
- The chewing load rests mainly on the gums, so it can press on the gum and, over the years, speed up shrinkage of the bone underneath.
- The base has to be fairly thick to be strong enough. Some people find it bulky and speech takes a while to adjust.
Metal-base partial dentures
The base is a thin metal framework cast to fit your mouth exactly, usually in cobalt-chromium, sometimes titanium. The replacement teeth and gum-colored acrylic are added only where they are needed. The framework has rests that sit on your natural teeth, so the chewing load goes onto the teeth rather than the gums alone.
Advantages
- Much stronger and more durable than acrylic.
- Thinner and more comfortable. Speech and taste adapt faster.
- Spreads chewing forces onto the natural teeth and reduces pressure on the gums.
Disadvantages
- Higher starting price.
- Harder to repair or add teeth to, because the framework is cast in one piece.
- Anyone with a known metal allergy should tell us beforehand.
- Needs natural teeth that are strong enough for the framework to rest on and clasp.
Side by side
| | Acrylic base | Metal base | |---|---|---| | Starting price | 4,500 baht | 10,000 baht | | Thickness | Thicker | Thin | | Strength | Moderate | High | | Pressure on gums | More | Less | | Repairs and additions | Easy | Harder | | Best for | Temporary use, tight budget, more extractions likely | Long-term wear, remaining teeth in good condition |
Which one is right for you
It depends on several things: your budget, how many teeth are missing and where, the condition of your remaining teeth and gums, and your long-term plan.
- If more teeth may need to come out, or you are waiting for an implant, an acrylic base is easier to adapt along the way.
- If your remaining teeth are sound and you want something comfortable to wear for years, a metal base usually pays off in the long run.
- If only one or two teeth are missing and you would rather not have a removable appliance, ask us about a dental implant or a bridge, which uses crowns on the neighboring teeth to hold the replacement.
Still undecided? Come in and let the Tooth Boutique dental team examine you first. We look at the remaining teeth, the bone and the bite, and recommend what actually suits your mouth.
Prices
- Removable partial denture, acrylic base: from 4,500 baht
- Removable partial denture, metal base: from 10,000 baht
These are starting prices. The exact fee depends on how many teeth are replaced and the design, and we confirm it after examining your teeth. See the full price list.
Looking after a partial denture
Whichever base you choose, daily care is what keeps a denture working well and keeps your gums and remaining teeth healthy.
- Take it out and clean it every day: after meals if you can, and every night before bed.
- Use a denture brush with mild soap or a denture cleaner.
- Do not use ordinary toothpaste. Its abrasives scratch the surface, and a scratched denture picks up stains.
- Clean it over a basin of water or a folded towel. An acrylic base can break if it hits the floor.
- Take it out at night to let the gums rest, and soak it in clean water or a denture soak. Never use hot water.
- Brush your natural teeth and gums thoroughly every day, especially the teeth the clasps hold on to.
- Come in for regular checks so we can check the fit, adjust the clasps and look after your mouth.
If the denture becomes loose, rubs, or breaks, do not fix it with glue. Bring it to the clinic.
Book a consultation
Missing teeth you have not yet replaced, or an old denture that is no longer comfortable? Come and talk to us.
- LINE
- Phone: 098 831 0246
- Open daily 10:00–20:00 (closed Tuesdays)
- Tooth Boutique Dental Clinic, Venice Di Iris, Vacharapol Road, Bang Khen, Bangkok. Parking available.