What Are Dentures?
Dentures are prosthetic devices used to replace missing teeth. They are supported by the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. They are also removable. Complete dentures replace all teeth in the mouth, whereas artificial dentures replace only the top teeth, bottom teeth, or even just a few missing teeth.
While a dental bridge or a dental implant might be recommended if you have only lost one or two teeth, experts will likely recommend that you get dentures if you’ve lost more than three teeth. This prevents excess pressure on the remaining teeth to help prevent future issues.
How Are Dentures Made?
Dentures are composed of two parts: the base of the denture and the teeth. The denture base is made of a special kind of acrylic called polymethyl methacrylate. This is a durable material that mimics the look and color of your real gums.
The teeth themselves can be made out of different materials, such as porcelain or acrylic. With that said, the former option is much more expensive and rarer. Acrylic dentures are an affordable and durable option that can restore the look and function of your teeth.
What To Expect at the Dentist
When you go to your dentist for a set of dentures, your dentist will first make a wax impression of your mouth and jaw with an impression tray. The dentist will then check the model multiple times to make sure it fits before sending it off to be made. Your permanent dentures will be created by a specialized technician.
The technician uses a mechanical device to attach the porcelain or acrylic teeth to the faux jaw. Using the wax model, the technician will shape and carve the gumline of the dentures to represent the look and appearance of your real mouth.
Afterward, the model is placed in a flask, which is a device that holds the model dentures. Plaster is poured in to create a plaster mold. Then, the acrylic is poured into the mold to make the permanent dentures.
Once the acrylic dries, the technician can remove the plaster mold and place the acrylic dentures in an ultrasonic bath to remove any remaining plaster. They’ll finalize the piece by polishing the dentures and making sure they’re ready for placement.
While this process has long been the way dentures are produced, new advancements in technology allow doctors to use 3D scanners and imaging technology to expedite the process. The methods that your dentist uses might differ slightly, but the end result is an effective way to restore the appearance of your mouth.
How To Care for Dentures
Dentures have the potential to last for a very long time, but only if you properly care for them from start to finish. For proper denture care, be sure to consider the following:
- Remove dentures after eating: You’ll need to remove your dentures and run them under water to remove food debris and other particles.
- Clean your mouth after removing dentures: Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean your tongue, cheeks, and roof of your mouth after removing your dentures. This includes removing adhesives on your gums (if you use them).
- Brush your dentures daily: Remove and gently clean your dentures daily by soaking them in a cleaning solution as well as using a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove plaque and other deposits.
- Soak dentures overnight: Dentures need to be kept moist to maintain their shape, so be sure to place them in water or a mild soaking solution before you go to bed.
- See your dentist regularly: Your dentist will be able to examine your mouth and dentures for any problems. They’ll also be able to give you more of a personalized cleaning plan that works for your specific situation.
Complete dentures can last for seven to ten years with proper maintenance and care. If you start to notice your dentures aren’t fitting properly, or if they start to deteriorate, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dental provider.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Dentures?
Dentures are a procedure that is covered by most dental insurance plans. That said, it’s considered a major procedure with only about 50% of the costs being covered. The rest of the costs need to be paid out-of-pocket. And when you combine that with the annual and monthly fees that you’re already paying, you might not be saving much money at all. The national average cost of dentures without insurance is anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000.
Alternatives to Dentures
If you’re not ready to get dentures just yet, there might be some alternatives that can still restore the look and function of your teeth and gums.
Dental Implants
The most common alternative to dentures is dental implants. These are false teeth that are implanted into your gum line with a metal rod called an implant body and an abutment. This implant body is surgically implanted into the jawbone in place of the tooth’s root.
Dental implants are much more long-lasting and durable. However, they are not removable and are usually not possible if you need a large number of teeth replaced. For those situations, dentures will likely be recommended.
Dental Bridge
You might also qualify for a dental bridge, which is a prosthetic tooth that is placed over two existing teeth to “bridge” the gap between them. These are recommended if you’re only missing one tooth because they are permanent and, in this case, more cost-effective than dentures.
In Conclusion
Dentures are prosthetic devices used to replace missing teeth. They’re often recommended when you’ve lost more than two or three teeth. They’re made with acrylic or porcelain, depending on the quality of your piece, and they are long-lasting when you take proper care of them.
Sources:
Denture Care: How Do I Clean Dentures? | The Mayo Clinic
Dental Implants: What You Should Know | FDA
Dental Bridges: Who Needs Them, Types, Costs, Procedure & Care Issues | Cleveland Clinic.
