Is it necessary to drill into good teeth for attaching a partial?

[jcom]

My wife needs a three tooth partial on the upper right side. She has one tooth left behind the partial area and the rest are ok towards the front. Dentist want to drill holes into three good teeth for attaching partial.

I have a four tooth partial that has been simply attached with wires for the past 40 yrs. And there was no drilling on any teeth for this attachment.

Thanks for the input.

John