Blog

Types of Dentures

There are 3 primary types that a dentist will offer you.

Conventional

Conventional or ‘full’ dentures replace your upper and lower teeth and remain in place via suction.

They require most of your natural teeth to be removed in order for them to be attached and it can take some time for your gums to heal.

Immediate

As the heading states, these types of dentures are fitted straight away by your dentist and replace all your teeth.

Partial

Partial types are designed to replace a few missing teeth. Conventional models use metal clips or an adhesive to secure them to your natural teeth.

Your dentist may attach them to dental crowns fitted to your natural teeth or implanted into your jaw bone for greater stability.

3 Standard Materials Used for Removable Dentures

Acrylic

Your dentist will take impressions of your gums, which are then made utilising the acrylic material.

If you have receding gums or jawbone, your acrylic dentures may need to be fixed to keep them in position.

Cobalt Chrome

These dentures are more expensive than acrylic ones, but they tend to be more comfortable to wear and less likely to break.

A study found that chrome dentures are more superior in phonetics.

Nylon-Based

Flexible dentures from a nylon-based material can adjust to your mouth’s contours as you talk, eat, and smile.

They are only available as partial dentures.

Are Some Dentures Better than Others?

There are dentures available to suit preference and budget.

For example:

Who Makes Dentures?

Dental technicians design restorative dental appliances such as dentures, bridges, or crowns.

Once a wax impression of your mouth has been taken, a dental laboratory is tasked to design your new smile.

Dental technicians construct them and send them back to your dentist for fitting.

Cost of Dentures

How much you pay for dentures in Australia depends on what kind you need, what materials are used to create them and your location in Australia.

For example, partial dentures will cost less than complete ones, and chrome dentures are more expensive than acrylic.

In 2018, a partial set of acrylic dentures will cost an average of $699 in Australia, while partial cobalt chrome ones are approximately $1399.

Prices can also vary from one dentist to the next, as each office has different resources.

You can use our Dental Cost Calculator to find the average cost for Dentures in your state or territory.

Simply search by selecting either, treatment, symptom or item code.

If you are pensioner, our post Dental Costs for Pensioners has good information that will help you.

Average denture costs in NSW

How Long Does it Take to Get Dentures?

How long it will take depends on your particular situation.

If you are getting a complete set and have natural teeth that need to be extracted due to damage or decay, you will typically have to wait about four weeks for your mouth to heal.

Your dentist will then take impressions of your mouth and have the dentures designed.

If they fit, the dental laboratory will make a complete set, a process that usually takes around 30 days.

When they are ready, you will be called in for a fitting.

Should you decide that you must have teeth while you wait, ‘immediate’ dentures are available.

The process for ‘Immediate’ dentures is very similar to your conventional types in the initial stages.

Your dentist will make an impression of your natural teeth before extraction.

From there they’ll send it to a dental laboratory, and schedule a second appointment to extract the affected teeth and fit you with the dentures.

You wear them while your gums heal and shrink, so your dentures will have to be adjusted from time to time to ensure a good fit.

Are Dentures Painful?

Wearing them can be uncomfortable in the beginning.

Not only do your gums need to heal, but you also need to get used to wearing false teeth.

Any discomfort will gradually subside as your gums heal.

Sometimes dentures need to be adjusted for that ‘ideal’ fit.

How Are Dentures Commonly Broken and How Do You Repair them?

Dentures can break for several reasons.

These include:

• Wear and tear after years of use
• Jaw shrinkage due to progressive bone loss- if your denture stops fitting correctly, the lack of stability can cause cracking or breaks.
• Accidental breakage due to biting on hard food or dropping the appliance

Depending on the nature and extent of the break, your denture can be repaired quickly during a single office visit.

Other times, a dental lab will need to examine, for more extensive repair.

What Foods Can I Eat? What Foods Can’t I Eat?

Once your mouth heals, and your dentures adequately fit, you should be able to eat most of your favourite foods.

However, there are some foods you should enjoy in moderation or avoid entirely to preserve your dentures.

Foods to Avoid

1. Sticky foods like peanut butter, which can shift your dentures out of place
2. Foods with small, hard pieces like popcorn kernels and bagels with sesame seeds
3. Hard foods like nuts, apples, corn on the cob, and carrot sticks

Are Dentures the Best Option for You?

While they can restore a damaged smile, some people feel insecure about wearing them.

Another drawback is that they can move around inside your mouth, causing rubbing and irritation.

Feeling older than we do is never a good thing, and some people have complained about this very fact.

If you don’t feel comfortable about getting dentures, there are some great alternatives for restoring missing teeth.

Yes, these options below may cost more, but the jury is out.

You’ll definitely appreciate the advantages of these different ways to secure your smile!

Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium ‘roots’ inserted surgically into your jawbone.

They anchor your replacement teeth, presenting a natural-looking and durable alternative to dentures.

Bridges

These restorations typically consist of a false tooth fitted between two crowns.

Secured by adhesives, neighbouring teeth, or implants, removing them is only achieved by the help of your dentist.

Dental bridge work provides added security, so there is no danger of the appliance being dislodged or falling out.

Over-Dentures

Over-dentures can be used when you have lost most, if not all, of your teeth.

They are fixed in place by remaining teeth or dental implants, making them more stable and natural-looking.

What Can You Do to Prevent Losing Teeth?

Here are 4 excellent ways in which you can keep them where they should be.

They’ll probably seem obvious, but they are crucial for the preservation of your teeth and gums.

Dental Hygiene Routine

Brushing and flossing your teeth are fundamental in preventing a wide range of problems occurring within your mouth.

A consistent, thorough dental hygiene plan will bring many benefits.

Even if you have to shorten your routine such as a minute in the morning and then again in the evening is much better than nothing at all, or worse skipping days altogether.

4 Things to Remember to Prevent Tooth Loss

#1 Brush your teeth at least twice a day.

This will keep plaque build-up to a minimum and reduce any hint of foul breath odours that can occur after drinking coffee or smoking.

Think of a dental hygiene routine in 2 parts.

#2 Floss or using an interdental brush at least once a day

This is the other important part of oral hygiene which gets in between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t.

#3 Drink Water

Often overlooked, drinking plenty of water is really important.

By being well-hydrated, your body is at its optimum level, cleaning and protecting it from the daily grind.

#4 Breathe Properly

Mouth breathing is known to dry out your mouth which reduces saliva.

When this happens, it will alter and reduce the positive effects that saliva produce.

Remembering or focusing on breathing through your nose will help improve and retain saliva levels, keeping your mouth the way it should be.

Saliva is your first line of defence against infection within your mouth.

Conclusion

With so many dental choices out there it is advisable to do your research when you are thinking about dentures.

They are much more affordable than other types on the dental market but can and often do cause some discomfort, movement and irritation.

If you are still deciding and you have the funds, speak to your dentist about all options including dental implants or bridgework.

With that said though, dentures do have a place in the dental world, and they do offer a cheaper way to get that smile of yours back.

Have you had dentures and have a story to tell? We’d love to hear about it