What Are Dentures Made Of?
By Hilarie Galloway, DMD
Dentures, also called “false teeth”, are commonly used to replace missing teeth. There are multiple ways to make dentures. Whether replacing all teeth, as in a complete denture, or several teeth, as in a removable partial denture (RPD), dentures can be made from a variety of materials including acrylic, porcelain, and metal alloys.
Hybrid dentures utilize implants as anchors to fix a denture in place. As with anything in life, each material has pros and cons and it is important to work with your dentist to choose the artificial teeth material that is best for you and your mouth. This article explores types of dentures and their benefits and potential drawbacks to help you choose the right option for your replacement teeth.
Acrylic Dentures
Properties
Acrylic resin dentures are an acrylic denture base (the part that sits on your gums) with plastic/acrylic teeth set into the base. Acrylic is a lightweight material that is easy to adjust in a dental setting.
Benefits
Acrylic dentures have many benefits. They are generally more affordable than other materials, easy to adjust, and aesthetically pleasing. Given the lightweight nature of the material, they can be comfortable for patients. The slight flex in the material makes acrylic resin teeth more fracture-resistant than other materials such as porcelain.
Acrylic dentures can also make excellent temporary dentures, as it isn’t difficult to add teeth or make other adjustments to the material when working with an excellent dental partner like European Denture Center.
Potential Drawbacks
Potential drawbacks associated with acrylic dentures are generally associated with the lightweight nature of the material. Acrylic teeth wear faster than porcelain teeth, and acrylic bases must be bulkier than metal bases for strength which can make them less comfortable than metal or hybrid dentures. Acrylic teeth are also more prone to staining over time than porcelain teeth.
Porcelain Dentures
Properties
Porcelain dentures typically refer to an acrylic denture base with porcelain teeth. Porcelain’s properties allow dentures with some similarities to natural teeth, specifically esthetics, and durability.
Benefits
The main benefit of porcelain teeth is aesthetic. Porcelain mimics natural enamel well and reflects light in a similar manner to a natural tooth. Porcelain is a hard material that is not prone to wear or staining, making it a good and durable option for denture teeth.
Potential Drawbacks
With porcelain’s aesthetic benefit come some functional drawbacks. Porcelain is harder and more brittle than acrylic, making porcelain dentures more prone to chipping and fracture. The hardness also contributes to the wear of opposing teeth — which can be particularly problematic when a porcelain denture opposes natural dentition. Porcelain teeth are also generally heavier than acrylic making them more challenging and less comfortable for someone new to wearing dentures.
Metal Dentures
Properties
Metal dentures generally refer to removable partial dentures that are made from a cobalt chrome or titanium base with an acrylic overlay. The acrylic mimics gingiva which improves esthetics and holds acrylic teeth in place. Metal dentures are strong and have excellent contouring to soft tissue and remaining teeth.
Metal-based RPDs provide more stability than acrylic-based RPDs given the ability to create thin rests on teeth without risk of fracture or interfering with a patient’s bite. Additionally, cobalt chrome clasps are molded to hold existing teeth specifically as opposed to wrought wire clasps on acrylic partial dentures.
Benefits
Metal-based dentures have numerous benefits. Metal dentures can be smaller/thinner than fully acrylic dentures without compromising strength. Another benefit is increased stability over acrylic dentures due to clasp material and rest seats. Given the overall strength and durability of metal, dentures with a metal base can also be longer lasting than acrylic dentures.
Potential Drawbacks
Like all materials, metal dentures also come with potential drawbacks. The most obvious drawback is aesthetics — most patients do not want to see metal in their mouth as it doesn’t appear natural. Metal is also more costly than other materials. Finally, it can be more difficult to adjust metal dentures than acrylic dentures when major changes are needed.
Hybrid Dentures
Properties
Hybrid dentures are dentures that are attached to implants in your mouth. They are not taken in and out of your mouth except by a dental professional. As the name implies, these dentures are a hybrid between removable dentures and fixed tooth replacement options like implants. The denture portion of this restoration type can be made of acrylic or porcelain materials.
Benefits
The major benefits of hybrid dentures vs. traditional dentures come from the dentures being anchored to your mouth by implants. This improves stability and makes functions such as eating and speaking easier, knowing that your denture will remain in place. Hybrid dentures also require less denture material (porcelain or acrylic) which can also improve aesthetics and speech.
Potential Drawbacks
The potential drawbacks associated with a hybrid denture are also primarily due to the denture being fixed in place. It can be more difficult to clean a hybrid denture, as a dentist or other dental professional is required to remove the denture for cleaning. If good home care isn’t performed, bone loss can occur around the support implants which can ultimately lead to implant failure.
Also, although the anchor implants required for a hybrid denture are fewer than those required for single tooth implant replacement, the cost of a hybrid denture is significantly higher than that of a traditional complete denture or RPD due to the implants themselves as well as the increased complexity of the denture.
Choosing the Right Material
While sifting through the numerous options for denture materials can seem daunting, this is not a decision you need to make alone. It is important to consider many aspects of each option, including material compatibility (Do you have any allergies? Do you need a softer/more flexible acrylic tooth to help maintain the integrity of your remaining teeth?), longevity, and price.
When it comes time to choose the right material for your dentures, European Denture Center is here to help. We provide a wide range of services to help. We can work with you to help ensure a successful outcome that meets your denture goals. Visit our website or reach out today to schedule an appointment (866) 428-0505.
