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Dentures

Dentures are removable dental appliances designed to replace missing teeth and restore oral function. Since they are removable, they are easy to clean and maintain. It can take anywhere between two and six appointments to fabricate dentures depending on the complexity of your case and type of denture. They come in various types, each catering to specific needs. 

Acrylic Dentures
Complete Acrylic Dentures

Complete acrylic dentures, also known as full dentures, replace all the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. They are made entirely from acrylic (plastic) material. These dentures are suitable for patients who have lost all their natural teeth.

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Partial Acrylic Dentures

Partial acrylic dentures replace only a few missing teeth. They are suitable when some natural teeth remain in the jaw. These dentures also consist of an acrylic base with artificial teeth.

Pros of Acrylic Dentures:

  • Affordability: Complete acrylic dentures are cost-effective.

  • Aesthetics: They can be designed to look natural.

  • Ease of Repair: Repairs are straightforward.

  • Cost-Effective: Acrylic dentures are more affordable than metal dentures

  • Natural Appearance: They blend well with existing teeth and can reproduce the appearance of gums.

Cons of Acrylic Dentures:

  • Durability: Acrylic dentures are less durable than metal alternatives. This makes them more prone to fractures.

  • Bulkiness: They may feel bulky in the mouth. The acrylic needs to be thicker than metal for strength.

Cobalt Chrome Dentures

Cobalt chrome dentures are partial dentures with a metal framework made from cobalt chrome alloy. They are strong, durable, and lightweight.

Pros of Cobalt Chrome Dentures:

  • Better retention and stability: They stay in place and are easier to eat with than acrylic dentures

  • Strength and Durability: Cobalt chrome is resilient and long-lasting.

  • Minimal Bulk: The metal framework is thin and discreet.

  • Comfort: Lightweight and comfortable to wear.

 
Cons of Cobalt Chrome Dentures:

  • Appearance: Small metal clasps may be visible when smiling

  • Not Suitable for Metal Allergies: Patients with metal allergies should avoid them.

  • Higher Cost: Cobalt chrome dentures are more expensive than acrylic ones.

  • Adding teeth: This can be trickier than acrylic dentures

Flexible dentures

Flexible dentures are a type of partial denture that differs from traditional acrylic dentures. Unlike rigid acrylic dentures, flexible dentures are typically constructed from nylon or other thin thermoplastics. This unique material makes them more bendable and flexible. The flexibility allows these dentures to adapt to the contours of your mouth, providing better comfort, retention and stability, similar to cobalt chrome dentures. However, they are also more natural-looking than cobalt chrome dentures due to their gum-colored and translucent appearance.

Pros of Flexible Dentures:

  • No Metal Components: Unlike cobalt chrome dentures, flexible dentures have no metal clasps. This eliminates the risk of visible metal parts.

  • Lightweight and Biocompatible: The resin material used (usually nylon) is lightweight and biocompatible, meaning it won’t cause allergic reactions.

  • Good retention and stability: Flexible dentures flex to fit around the contours of your teeth, making them more retentive than traditional acrylic dentures. They have similar retention to cobalt chrome dentures with metal clasps.

Cons of Flexible Dentures

  • Cost: More expensive to produce than acrylic dentures. Future repair or addition of teeth can be more expensive than acrylic dentures. 

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