Choosing the Best Dentures for Your Needs

Dentures are prosthetic teeth that replace missing teeth. Many types of dentures are available, and choosing the best type for your lifestyle is important.

You may need dentures if you’ve had an oral injury that resulted in complete tooth loss or if you have trouble eating certain foods due to weak teeth.

Dentures are also recommended if your remaining teeth are loose, missing, damaged, or falling due to:

• Severe tooth decay
• Periodontal disease (advanced gum disease)
• Tooth extraction
• Mouth trauma
• Genetics
• Other oral diseases

Comparing The Different Types of Dentures

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

Full Dentures

Full dentures are best if someone is missing all their natural teeth or who had all of their natural teeth removed. They’re usually placed only after your gum tissue has healed.

Cost: Full dentures cost anywhere between $600 to $8,000. The cost may depend on the denture’s material, denture size, and your insurance coverage.

Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures are a type of denture placed immediately after your teeth have been removed. During the first few months of use, these dentures may require adjustments.

Immediate dentures usually need to be replaced with conventional complete dentures after healing is complete.

Cost: You can expect to pay an average of $1,900 for immediate dentures.

Overdentures

Overdentures, also called implant-supported dentures, are held in place on top of your gums with dental implants. The dentist or oral surgeon will place the implants in your mouth first, giving the gums time to heal before placing false teeth.

Cost: Overdentures have an average cost of $2,500.

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.

Cost: Removable partial dentures can cost anywhere between $650 and $2,500, while flexible partial dentures cost $900 to $2,000. 

Economy Dentures

Economy dentures are generic, non-customized, and the most affordable kind of dentures on the market. However, dentists typically do not recommend economy dentures because they can harm your mouth and lead to poor oral hygiene. 

Cost: Economy dentures usually cost around $300 to $500 per plate.

Valplast Partial Dentures

Valplast dentures are made from thermoplastic nylon resin. These partial dentures are lightweight and flexible. They feature tooth or gum-colored clasps that surround the natural teeth.

Cost: The average cost of Valplast partial dentures is $700 to $2,000 per arch.

All-on-4 Implant Dentures

All-on-4 implant dentures are ideal if you have bone loss and need a complete set of dentures.

They replace all your missing teeth in the upper and/or lower jaws using four dental implants per jaw. You cannot take the denture out by yourself, but your dentist can remove it.

Cost: This procedure costs $50,000 to $90,000 for both the upper and lower jaws.

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.

Implant-Supported Dentures

The advantages of implant-supported dentures over traditional dentures include:

• Overdentures tend to be more stable than regular dentures, even when they’re removable
• Overdentures are securely fastened to the jaw, which makes it easier to eat all kinds of foods
• Implants are titanium screws placed into the bone, so if successful, they can last a lifetime. But smoking, diabetes, and diseases of the bone can impair the long-term success of implants

Traditional 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
• If you’re a smoker since smoking can make it hard for your gums to heal and cause implants to fail
• If you have other medical conditions, such as diabetes, or have taken antiresorptive medications in the past, your dentist may advise you not to proceed with implants
• 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.

Complete vs. Partial Dentures

If you’re wondering whether you need complete or partial dentures, here are some differences between the two denture types:

Complete Dentures

Your dentist may help you choose complete dentures if any of the following apply to you:

• You are missing most or all of your teeth
• You need to have all of your teeth removed
• Most or all of your teeth are damaged or weak

Partial Dentures

However, your dentist may suggest you opt for partial dentures if any of the following apply to you:

• You are only missing a few of your teeth
• You only need to have some of your teeth removed
• You only have a few damaged or weak teeth

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

Removable vs. Fixed Dentures 

Beyond full or partial dentures, you can choose between removable and fixed dentures, both of which have pros and cons. 

Removable Dentures

Here are the pros of removable dentures:

• You have an easier time cleaning removable dentures
• You can take out removable dentures if they’re giving you discomfort
• Removable dentures are typically less expensive than fixed dentures
• Removable dentures preserve the contour of your face while still providing a solution
• Removable dentures are typically less invasive

Fixed Dentures

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

• Fixed dentures do not require removal and are glued permanently into your mouth, so they feel more natural
• Fixed dentures last longer, as they can stay put for several years without too much adjusting

Denture Alternatives

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

Dental Bridges

An implant-supported bridge is supported entirely by dental implants.

Implant bridges are ideal if you have at least three missing teeth in a row. Implant bridges can be used to replace front and/or back teeth.

Dental Implants

All-on-four implant-supported dentures provide a permanent full-arch restoration using four implants per jaw. These implants can replace failing or missing teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. 

Full mouth dental implants can cost up to $25,000 per jaw.

Summary

Dentures are synthetic replacements for natural teeth. They can help restore your smile after tooth loss. They come in different types, so it’s important to find one that fits your lifestyle and oral health goals. For the best results, talk to your dentist about your options.