Each tooth in the mouth plays a particular role in distributing the bite force across the jaw. When a tooth is lost, the stress on the remaining teeth increase which can lead to other teeth being overworked. This stress can cause your remaining teeth to begin to drift out of place, become damaged, and eventually lead to the loss of more teeth. A partial denture is designed to replace the missing teeth to maintain balance. Partial dentures prolong the life span and health of natural teeth, as well as preserving normal jaw function.