Best Dentures

How to Choose the Best Dentures for Your Needs

Dentures are prosthetic teeth that replace missing teeth. They are supported by the tissues 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.

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

You may also need dentures if your real teeth are loose, missing, damaged, or falling out due to: 

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

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:

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Economy dentures

Economy dentures are generic, non-customized 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. 

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.

All-on-4 implant dentures

All-On-4 implant dentures are ideal for patients who have bone loss and need a complete set of dentures.

They replace all of 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. This procedure costs $50,000 to $90,000 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

Your dentist may help you 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, your dentist may suggest you 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 liquid soap 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.
5. Removable dentures are typically less invasive.

Fixed Dentures

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

1. Fixed dentures do not require removal and are glued permanently into your mouth, so they feel more natural.
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.
• 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.

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.

Are Dentures Covered By Insurance?

Most dental insurance policies cover at least part 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)

Denture Alternatives

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

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

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

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, whether in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. 

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