Natural Teeth for Prosthetic Solutions in Pediatric Patients: Two Case Reports of Biologically Based Removable Functional Partial Dentures

Prosthetic appliances are essential for promoting the proper development of teeth, dental arches, and facial bones in children. Due to the constantly changing nature of a child's oral environment, these appliances must be temporary and require regular maintenance and adjustment to avoid impeding orofacial growth. A fundamental aspect of contemporary dentistry is re-establishing aesthetics. The absence of front teeth can cause appearance-related concerns in children. Personal appearance holds significant importance for children, particularly during adolescence. Even preschoolers, aged three to five, begin to cultivate a keen sense of body image and are increasingly aware of how they are perceived by both their peers and adults. We executed two cases in which natural teeth were used as replacements for artificial teeth in partial dentures. In the first case, we used the exfoliated natural teeth in a removable partial denture for aesthetic rehabilitation. This method leverages the natural tooth's inherent aesthetic qualities, proving especially valuable in the immediate replacement of anterior teeth, where appearance is critical. In another case, we utilized the natural teeth for the posterior region not only to enhance the patient's chewing efficiency but also to facilitate the eruption of unerupted succedaneous teeth. Additionally, using the patient's own teeth helps to achieve proper occlusion and comfort after the denture is placed, thus ensuring that patient expectations are met in both situations.