What are dentures? And what to expect when getting false teeth?

Every second American struggles with the problem of missing teeth. Having no restoration can lead to severe consequences concerning both oral and general health. Dentures are one of the most popular solutions.

These are removable appliances that can cover a whole arch or just individual teeth. Read our guide to find out which you can get the fastest, what materials are available, and what are pros and cons of each type.

A partial denture is a removable plate with one or more false teeth attached. It is fitted when some teeth are lost. The false dentition fills in the gaps. Precision attachments might be added for extra support and sturdiness.

Depending on what teeth you are missing, partial dentures can be made for just the back or front teeth. A combination is also possible.

There are several options to choose from depending on the condition of your mouth. Not everyone is a candidate for each type.

Partial dentures are made from resin plastic in most cases. This material can be dyed to match the color of your gums. Acrylic dentures belong to the cheaper types. You can even have teeth added if you lose more. They can last for 5-8 years.

The downside is that they break easily, so you may have to replace them more often. Plastic dentures may also need adhesives, generating more running costs. They sometimes have metal clasps, but those are most commonly simply embedded in the resin and can break off.

Acrylic puts a lot of pressure on your gums. This can lead to irritation, soreness, and even lesions. Some patients have trouble with gagging, because in the case of the upper arch the acrylic covers your entire palate. The plastic can also damage neighboring teeth.

If you are only missing one or two teeth that are next to each other, you can consider a flipper tooth. They are cheap and quick to produce. Flipper teeth, however, should only be a temporary solution.

Flexible partial dentures are made from thermoplastic materials. With proper care, patients can wear these for up to 15 years.

This type doesn’t need adhesives or metal clasps, since they cling to the gums by themselves. The structure is less bulky, stiff, and rigid than acrylic dentures.

The material is clear and gums are visible, providing great aesthetics. Flexible dentures are also very quick to produce and not as expensive as metal cast ones. The downside is that if they break, they cannot be fixed and new ones have to be made.

Metal partial dentures are more lightweight and durable than plastic ones. It is easier to support them with the use of clasps and adjacent teeth. Your palate does need to be covered. Appreciating fine dining is a lot easier because they stay in better and trap less food.

Cobalt chrome is most commonly used. It provides a great balance between toughness and flexibility. Metal partial dentures are unlikely to fracture even on trauma. They can last up to 10 years.

The base is metal covered in plastic. Metal parts may be visible in your mouth. This option is usually quite expensive. What makes up for this is that more teeth may be added along the way.

Interim partial dentures are often made from acrylic. They are designed for the filler period after you get your teeth removed and before you get your permanent denture.

This type provides a quick solution if you don’t want to go without teeth at all. Designed to be temporary, you shouldn’t wear them for longer than a few months.

Fake dentition can be placed in the exact same position your natural tooth was. Interim dentures also provide occlusal support and make eating and speaking easier.

If you are toothless, you will need a full denture. If you have some teeth remaining, it is up to your dentist to decide whether to create a partial or to extract the remaining dentition and fit a full prosthesis anyway.

Full dentures include 12 to 14 teeth per arch. Some end at the first molar, but a second molar is sometimes added for sturdiness. The determining factors are the space available and presence of opposing teeth.

The choice is between:

• immediate,
• same-day,
• immediate,
• interim,
• overdentures, or
• conventional dentures.

Immediate prostheses are fashioned before remaining teeth are removed. Same-day dentures are made in 24 hours, including necessary extractions. Interim ones may be worn while you are awaiting implant-retained or conventional dentures.

In conventional dentures, the upper arch covers the whole roof of the mouth and may be attached by suction. It may take a few weeks to produce one.

Implant-retained, or overdentures, provide the most support. They also help reduce bone loss which means the state of the mouth won’t continue to deteriorate. You will, however, need surgery.

There are three main components of dentures: the base, the teeth, and the framework.

Denture bases are almost always made of acrylic resin or chrome cobalt metal. The first is better for aesthetics, as the color can be matched to the patient’s gums. The second is more sturdy and less likely to break if the denture is dropped.

Flexible dentures are made of thermoplastic materials, most often nylon or valplast.

Denture frameworks need a sturdy material to maintain the shape. This is usually some form of metal such as nickel chrome, stainless steel, or gold.

When it comes to partial dentures, the clasps are most often made of cobalt chrome. It combines sturdiness and elasticity, allowing it to last for many years.

Acrylic resin is the most popular material for fake teeth. It is lightweight and cheap. The material also sticks to the base easily. The color is easy to control as well. This makes it particularly convenient for partial dentures, when teeth need to match the preexisting dentition.

Fake teeth can also be made from porcelain. The look and feel of tooth enamel can be matched exactly. This option is more durable than acrylic. The downsides include the fact that porcelain is expensive and prone to chipping. When such a tooth is damaged, it is much more expensive to replace.

Most dentures from 6 weeks up to 3 months to land in your mouth. The process includes several appointments to the prosthodontist or dentist. This is to ensure the best fit and durability possible.

The process is more complicated if there are implants involved. The whole thing might take up to 2 years.

Most denture problems are easily fixed. Many depend on how well you take care of your prosthesis. Patients often make critical mistakes, which can lead to these issues being a lot worse.

- Over 36 million Americans are toothless. - 90% of toothless Americans have dentures. - Each year roughly 15% of those who are toothless get dentures. - 80% of full denture wearers avoid eating vegetables. - The first dentures were made in the 7th century BC. - In the early 16th century dentures were made from wood and beeswax. The first porcelain dentures were made near the end of the 18th century.