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A 66-year-old female asked:
How can i smooth my rough partial denture?
7 doctor answers • 16 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michael Greenanswered
Dentistry 10 years experience
Rough Partial: If you can't get to a dentist, use a file or sand paper to smooth the edge and then finer sandpaper to polish the roughness!
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Gary Sandler commented
Dentistry 55 years experience
Be aware that sandpaper won't smooth any metal component of partials, and having practiced dentistry for over 40 years, 99% of patients do more damage than good trying to repair, smooth, fix, etc. their own partials, bridges, or dentures. See my separate answer for advice. Are you willing to risk the consequences?
May 1, 2014

Dr. Douglas Tavenner, jr.answered
51 years experience
See Dentist: 95% of the time a patient tries to smooth or adjust their partial denture, they tend to make the problem worse. Let the dentist do a proper adjustment on your partial denture so that the proper areas are identified and appropriately taken care of.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Robert Brodskyanswered
Geriatrics 59 years experience
Anyway you want: If there is a rough spot on your partial denture, some kind of spinning rubber wheel will get rid of some of the problem.
You have to find out if there is a break in the denture, a metal problem, a bite problem causing it, etc. See your dentist.
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Gary Sandleranswered
Dentistry 55 years experience
Self adjustment?: If it's a newly inserted partial denture, the dentist who made you the partial will be glad to make whatever adjustments are necessary so you are comfortable. If this is a new issue, it would indicate something is wrong and requires professional judgement in order to best correct, repair, or resolve the issue. What you feel as "rough" might reflect a bigger problem. Don't try to fix it yourself!
4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Keith Hollanderanswered
Dentistry 37 years experience
Return to dentist : Have the dentist that made it polish the rough surfaces. Trying to do this your self could damage the denture and you may not be able to improve on the feel
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Tamer Abdel-azimanswered
Specializes in Prosthodontics
See your dentist: Your dentist has tools that can be used to make your partial denture smoothed and polished. It's best if you set up an appointment with your dental provider to take care of this.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. John Thaleranswered
Prosthodontics 42 years experience
See Dentist: See the Dentist so they can diagnose the problem and offer a solution. Acrylic may be adjusted with a fine emory board or wet/dry sandpaper if you are in a pinch until you can see the Dentist. Metal should be left alone, as more damage may be done. Good luck -- see your Dentist.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 6, 2021
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