Denture Options: How to Choose the Right Dentures For You

Adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have an average of just over 25 teeth. About 2% of adults in this age range have no teeth at all. In other words, if you’re missing teeth, you’re not alone. 

So what are you going to do about it? For many people, the answer is clear: dentures. There are more denture options than ever in 2023, so you can find dentures that feel and look great.

We’re here to talk all about some of the various types of dentures you have to choose from. Read on to learn more. 

Why Get Dentures at All?

So why would someone want to get dentures? 

When someone loses their teeth, they have options. They could keep on living life without any type of replacements, they can get dental implants, or they can get dentures.

If you choose not to replace your teeth, you’re putting yourself at risk. If you have any remaining teeth, they’ll be more easily damaged because they’re more exposed. Your gums will also be at risk and you may find it harder to eat or speak.

Dental implants are fantastic for improving your smile and protecting your jaw, but they’re incredibly expensive if you need more than one or two. They’re not a viable option for many people who are missing teeth.

Dentures can be expensive, but they’re more affordable than implants. They can make their wearers feel more confident and they make it far easier to eat and speak after a brief adjustment period. 

Choosing dentures is the best option for many people. 

Full Dentures

When people think of dentures, full dentures are generally what comes to mind. 

Full dentures look like a complete set of teeth! On the top, there’s a plate that goes along the roof of the mouth for more security. The bottom is just an arch.

Both the top and the bottom have a full row of custom teeth and some realistic acrylic gums. When someone wears full dentures, they look like they have perfect superstar smiles. 

Full dentures are for people who have lost all of their teeth (or almost all of their teeth, but are willing to have the remaining teeth removed). 

Full dentures do take some adjusting, but they’ll help you speak and eat with confidence. While this wasn’t always the case, it’s easy to eat and drink with modern dentures and they’re far more comfortable than they were in the past. 

People who still have a few remaining teeth may be on the fence about full dentures and may be considering partials instead. While it’s ultimately your decision, if you know that it’s likely that those teeth will need to be removed in the future, full dentures just make sense. 

It’s best to remove unhealthy teeth before they do any damage. Full dentures will restore the appearance of your smile and protect your gums. Starting off with full dentures will also save you money if you would otherwise have opted for partial dentures short-term. 

Talk to your dentist so they can help you decide if full dentures make sense for your oral health. 

Partial Denture Options

So what if you don’t need full dentures? 

Many people still have at least some of their teeth by the time they start considering dentures. While dental implants are the modern “conventional” option for one or several missing teeth, they tend to be more expensive than dentures, so they aren’t a viable option for many people. 

Partial dentures are perfect for anyone who’s missing a few teeth or even many teeth, but who doesn’t want to remove their remaining teeth. Their remaining teeth may still be healthy and strong. 

They want to keep their healthy teeth in place to support their gums, but they also want to fill out their smiles. They struggle to eat and speak and they understand that wearing partial dentures can help out. 

There’s more than one type of partial denture, however. In 2023, you have several options to choose from, all with their own unique benefits (and downsides). 

Here’s a quick rundown. 

Metal Partial Dentures

Metal partial dentures are traditional and somewhat old-school, but that doesn’t make them bad. 

Only the base of the denture is metal. The teeth are acrylic and the dentures still look natural. Depending on the type of attachments that are used for the dentures, the metal may still be visible. 

Metal dentures are generally made of chrome, but some people find that they’re sensitive to the material. Anyone who experiences metal allergies should discuss this with their dentist before making a final decision. 

These dentures are pretty easy to alter. If you need to adjust them to better fit your mouth, it shouldn’t be a problem. If you lose more teeth in the future, changing your metal dentures to accommodate that change is a breeze for any qualified denture professional.

Metal can be made pretty thin, so metal dentures don’t tend to be as bulky as other types. While they don’t look it, they’re pretty comfortable. 

Metal dentures are also durable and long-lasting. As long as the metal isn’t a problem for you, metal partial dentures may be your best option. 

Flexible Partial Dentures

Does metal sound a bit too rigid? You may like the idea of flexible partial dentures instead. 

Flexible partial dentures are generally made out of nylon or some other type of thin thermoplastic. They’ll bend to fit the shape of your mouth, and this makes them quite comfortable. 

There are no metal parts and they’re great for anyone who has any type of contact allergy to metal or acrylic. They’re also difficult to break due to their flexibility. If you happen to drop them, they’ll bounce instead of shattering. 

Unfortunately, they’re still not perfect for everyone. 

They do tend to be one of the more expensive options, so anyone on a tight budget may want to look elsewhere. While they’re flexible, they’re not adjustable. If you lose more teeth after getting dentures, you’ll need to have a whole new set made. 

While they’re not as breakable as some other options, they also don’t last as long. Most people should anticipate having to replace them at some point. 

Acrylic Partial Dentures

Acrylic partial dentures are popular in 2023. They’re made of resin and their clear clasps and realistic designs make them look fairly natural in comparison to some other options. Many people also find them comfortable. 

Unless someone is allergic to the material, they should experience less irritation along the gumline even after wearing them all day. However, because acrylic dentures are bulkier than metal dentures or flexible dentures, there may be a brief adjustment period before they start to feel “normal.”

The acrylic material wears down more quickly than metal, so people who get acrylic dentures will likely have to have them replaced at some point. They’re also more likely to break when dropped. 

Like metal dentures, they’re easy enough for any qualified dentist to adjust.

Acrylic dentures may be the most affordable partial denture option, but dentists recommend changing them about every five years. In other words, make sure you consider how the costs are going to add up in the long run. They look affordable at first, but don’t let affordability be the major factor here when you may pay more over time. 

Flippers

Flippers are technically dentures, but they’re a bit different and they can benefit more types of people. A flipper looks like a retainer with one or several teeth attached to it. You wear the flipper just like you’d wear any other retainer and the artificial teeth will fill in your gaps to make it look like you have a full smile. 

Flippers are for anyone who’s missing one or several teeth. If you’re only missing a few teeth, dentures don’t make sense for your situation. Implants are expensive, so a flipper is a great alternative. 

They won’t add any stability to your jaw, but they can help protect your surrounding teeth and they’ll make your smile look as good as new. 

Note that flippers aren’t as durable as other dentures. If you’re not careful, they can break (even while you’re eating). Because they’re small, it’s also not uncommon for people to accidentally lose them or throw them away. 

Which Dentures Are Right for You?

Choosing between all of your denture options is going to be tough! If you’re unsure, consider talking to your general dentist to see if they have any advice. You may be a perfect fit for one type of denture. 

Once you’ve decided, we’ll be here to craft your new smile. Order your dentures online today!

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