Replacing lost or missing teeth has substantial benefits for your health and appearance. A complete or full Denture replaces the natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips. Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person appear older and reduce their ability to eat and speak.
A Denture is an appliance which is worn to replace lost or missing teeth to enable you to enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence. A Complete or Full Denture is one that replaces all of the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. A Partial Denture fills in the spaces created by lost or missing teeth and is attached to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments.
The base of a Denture is called a plate and can be made of either acrylic (plastic) or metal cobalt chrome. The teeth are normally made of acrylic and can be made to match your natural teeth. This is especially important in the case of Partial Dentures.
Acrylic vs Cobalt Chrome Dentures
Cobalt Chrome Dentures
Cobalt Chrome Dentures have a metal base plate or framework that sits on and around the natural teeth onto which denture teeth are attached by acrylic.
What are their Advantages?
- Most comfortable to wear
- Easiest to adapt to
- Smaller, thinner and more streamlined
- The best grip (retention)
- Best chewing experience
- The most hygienic
- Very close fitting and precise
- Are designed specific to each mouth – numerous features can be incorporated to improve the denture
- Can use precision attachments
- Very strong
- Patients have good confidence in wearing them
- Clasps can easily be tightened to increase the grip
What are their Disadvantages?
- More expensive initially and when any changes need to be done
- Some changes are difficult to do, (such as adding teeth) – this depends on the design and a remake is occasionally needed
- Problems with natural teeth such as fractured fillings will affect the fit of the framework
- Can be bent if sat on and will need to be remade
- Are made of metal which may be visible
- More tricky to make and get right
Free Replacing Missing Teeth Information Pack
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A 35 page report full of the most useful information, ideal if you’re thinking about replacing missing teeth
- The costs and lowest price alternatives
- Your options and choices for treatment
- Are you suitable for treatment?
- Can dental implants be used as an alternative to root canal treatment?
- How long does treatment take?
- How many implants might you need?
- Plus lots more…
Acrylic Dentures
Acrylic dentures consist of the denture teeth attached to an acrylic base plate.
What are their Advantages?
- Cheapest
- Quick and easy to make (though not necessarily to get right)
- Easy to change, add teeth, reline etc.
- Easiest to take in and out
What are their Disadvantages?
- Least comfortable and well tolerated
- Least stable
- Least grip (retention)
- Often bigger and more bulky (unless a single front tooth)
- Require more muscle control
- Tend to break more easily
- Need to cover the palate if teeth are missing on both sides – this affects telling temperature and the chewing experience
If you feel that you may require dentures please contact our dentist today at Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 at 01 668 3242.
