Best Dentures

How to Choose the Best Dentures for Your Needs

Dentures are prosthetic teeth that replace missing teeth. They are supported by the surrounding tissue of the oral cavity and are, typically, removable. There are many types of dentures available, and it’s important to choose the best type for your lifestyle.

If your gums are red, swollen, tender, or bleeding, it could be a sign of advanced gum disease, which accounts for tooth loss in many adults.

New dentures could enhance your remaining teeth and give you that new smile you want. People of all ages and with various needs use permanent and temporary dentures. That’s why there are many different types available.

Understanding your options will help you determine which dentures are best for you.

Comparing The Different Types of Dentures

There are various types of dentures available. Here are some of your options:

1. Full dentures — Full dentures are best for patients who are missing all of their natural teeth or who have had all of their natural teeth removed. Full dentures are usually placed only after the patient’s gum tissue has healed, which can take several months.
2. Immediate dentures — Immediate dentures are a type of denture that is placed immediately after a patient’s teeth have been removed. During the first few months of use, these dentures may require adjustments.
3. Overdentures —  also called an implant-supported denture, overdentures are held in place on top of your gums by dental implants. The dentist or oral surgeon will place the implants in a patient’s mouth first, giving them time to heal before placing false teeth on top of their implants.
4. Partial dentures — Partial dentures replace some permanent teeth that are missing or have been removed. These dentures consist of false teeth and an acrylic, gum-colored base. The base is attached to two or more clasps that hold the denture in place. They’re often considered a removable alternative to dental bridges.
5. Economy dentures — Economy dentures are standard dentures and the most affordable kind of dentures on the market. Dentists typically do not recommend economy dentures because they can harm your mouth and lead to poor oral hygiene. 
6. Valplast partial dentures — Valplast dentures are made from thermoplastic nylon resin. These partial dentures are thin, lightweight, and flexible. They feature invisible claps that surround the natural teeth.
7. All-on-4 implant dentures — All-On-4 implant dentures are ideal for patients who need a complete set of dentures. They replace all of your missing teeth in the upper and/or lower jaws using four dental implants. You cannot take the denture out by yourself, but your dentist can remove it. This procedure costs $50,000 to $60,000 for both the upper and lower jaws.

Complete vs. Partial Dentures

There are both pros and cons to complete and partial dentures for wearers of both kinds.

Complete Dentures

You might choose complete dentures if any of the following apply to you:

1. You are missing most or all of your teeth.
2. You need to have all of your teeth removed.
3. Most or all of your teeth are damaged or weak.

Partial Dentures

However, you might opt for partial dentures if any of the following apply to you:

1. You are only missing a few of your teeth.
2. You only need to have some of your teeth removed.
3. You only have a few damaged or weak teeth.

Partial dentures are typically less expensive than full dentures, so it’s up to you and your dentist  to decide the best denture for you.

Removable vs. Fixed Dentures 

Beyond full or partial dentures, you also have a choice between removable and fixed dentures, which also both have their pros and cons. 

Removable Dentures

Here are the pros to removable dentures:

1. You have an easier time cleaning removable dentures, as you can take them out yourself to use your toothbrush with toothpaste on them.
2. You can take out removable dentures if they’re giving you discomfort.
3. Removable dentures are typically less expensive than fixed dentures.
4. Removable dentures preserve the contour of your face while still providing a solution.

Fixed Dentures

That said, you may choose fixed dentures over removable dentures for these reasons:

1. Fixed dentures tend to be more stable in your mouth than removable dentures, which will make it easier to chew and talk.
2. Fixed dentures last longer, as they can stay put for several years without too much adjusting.

Implant-Supported Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures

Maybe traditional dentures aren’t for you.

Overdentures, also known as implant-supported dentures, are a choice solution for many people. The advantages of implant-supported dentures over traditional dentures include:

• Overdentures tend to be more stable than regular dentures, even when they’re removable.
• A patient’s face won’t change shape because the implants support their jawbone.
• Overdentures are securely fastened to the jaw, which makes it easier to eat all kinds of foods.
• Implants are made of titanium, which means that they’ll likely last forever. This is why they’re largely considered the best dentures.

However, you might choose traditional dentures over implant-supported dentures if any of the following apply to you:

• If you don’t want to or cannot undergo oral surgery, you may choose dentures over implants that typically require it.
• If you’re a smoker since smoking can make it hard for your gums to heal and cause implants to fail.
• If you’re on a budget, you may choose dentures over implants. While dentures may accrue upkeep costs that add up over time, dental implants may be more expensive upfront than traditional dentures.

Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon to discuss your options and determine the best dentures for your lifestyle and oral health needs.

Are Dentures Covered By Insurance?

Most full dental insurance policies cover up to 50 percent of the cost of dentures.

Below outlines the cost of dentures without insurance:

• Complete Dentures — $1,300 to $3,000 (per arch)
• Temporary (Immediate) Dentures — $1,500 to $3,200 (per arch)
• Partial Removable Dentures — $650 to $2,500 (per arch)
• Implant-Retained Dentures — $1,500 to $4,000 (per arch)
• Snap-In Dentures — $1,500 to $4,000 (per arch)

Denture Alternatives

There are two alternatives to dentures, including dental bridges and dental implants:

An implant-supported bridge is supported entirely by dental implants, instead of a metal framework or dental crowns. This type of bridge is typically used to restore back teeth, such as premolars and molars.

Implant bridges are ideal for patients who have at least three missing teeth (back molars) in a row.

Full mouth dental implants provide a permanent full-arch restoration using four implant placement points. These implants can replace failing or missing teeth, whether in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. 

Full mouth implants are expensive (up to $25,000 per jaw).