Throughout dentures’ history, these oral appliances have been made of everything from animal teeth, bone, and wire to wood and ivory. Denture materials have come a long way since then. What are dentures made of today? Modern dentures consist of acrylic or porcelain teeth held in place by metal or plastic plates. The exact materials used to make a set of dentures depend on your budget and other factors.
Today, we want to teach you more about denture materials. Our aim is to help you discover the perfect combination to ensure your dentures are comfortable and durable and make you feel confident.
What Are Dentures Made Of?
When most people ask, “What are dentures made of?” they are really wondering what false teeth consist of. Most feature acrylic resin or porcelain false teeth, whether you choose full or partial dentures.
Below, we will discuss the pros and cons of each.
Acrylic Resin
Acrylic resin is a type of plastic. It is similar to composite resin, a widely used product for many dental apparatuses. Similarly, acrylic resin is the most popular material used for denture teeth.
The pros of acrylic resin include that it is affordable and easy to mold to the desired shape. Acrylic resin is also adjustable and flexible, making these types of dentures more comfortable for the wearer. Additionally, acrylic resin comes in various colors to replace or match the look of your natural teeth.
On the downside, acrylic resin is not as durable as alternatives. Your false teeth may only last five years without proper care. Even with good maintenance habits, acrylic resin teeth are more prone to wear and tear and breakage.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a type of ceramic that consists of kaolin, quartz, and feldspar. Like resins, porcelain is widely used in dentistry. Many patients prefer this material because it has the closest resemblance to real teeth.
Other benefits of dental ceramics are their strength and durability. This material can last more than 20 years as long as wearers take good care of their dentures. Another pro is that porcelain is naturally stain-resistant, so your false teeth will look more natural and whiter for longer.
The cons of porcelain denture teeth include the higher price tag. Some dentists may not recommend them for people with partial dentures, since porcelain teeth can wear down the enamel of the natural teeth surrounding them.
What Are the Frames of Dentures Made Of?
The frames or plates of dentures are made of acrylic resin, chrome cobalt, or nylon polymers. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, and not all materials are right for every wearer.
Learn more about the types of materials denture frames are made of next.
Acrylic Resin
Acrylic resin is the same material some affordable false teeth consist of. As mentioned, acrylic resin is a type of biocompatible plastic that is widely used in the world of dentistry.
You may recall that one of the biggest benefits of this material is its affordability. When it comes to denture frames, acrylic resin also reigns supreme for dentures requiring an artificial gum line.
This material comes in a wide array of colors. Fabricators can make the frame resemble a person’s natural gums. Plus, these frames are more comfortable than other materials due to acrylic resin’s flexibility.
Of course, all these advantages do not come without a cost. Acrylic resin is not the most durable option on the market, especially if you do not take good care of your false teeth.
Additionally, some people are allergic to acrylic. In that case, these patients should consider the following two alternatives.
Chrome Cobalt
Chrome cobalt is a type of metal, specifically an alloy of the elements cobalt and chromium. This material is biocompatible, meaning it is safe and comfortable to use in the mouth, and surprisingly lightweight.
Compared to acrylic resin, this metal is far more durable. Many wearers report that their metal dentures are more comfortable and offer a less bulky feel than more affordable alternatives.
Speaking of affordability, chrome cobalt denture frames are pricier than acrylic resin. However, some wearers make the investment, knowing their dentures will last longer and reduce future purchase prices.
Another reason some people do not prefer metal dentures is that the frames are visible. Partial metal denture frames fit behind the teeth to reduce visibility. Still, sensitive wearers should know it is possible that people will recognize your false teeth if you get full metal dentures.
Finally, some people are allergic to metals. Wearing metal dentures may lead to a dangerous or even deadly allergic reaction.
Nylon Polymer
Nylon polymers are types of polyamides, which are plastics. Dental nylon polymers typically consist of resins reinforced with nylon. This addition makes them lighter, thinner, and more durable than acrylic resin.
Like acrylic resin, nylon polymer frames can be made in any color. Combined with their thinness, this quality makes for a virtually invisible set of dentures, whether you need fulls or partials.
Compared to metal denture frames, nylon polymer is far more affordable. At the same time, these frames are just as durable. Many manufacturers offer lifetime warranties on their nylon polymer denture products.
And unlike chrome cobalt, nylon polymers are not easy to see in the mouth. They do not need to hide behind existing teeth. That makes this material ideal for both full and partial dentures.
If that’s not enough already, nylon polymers are even more biocompatible and stain-resistant than alternatives. The only downside is that it takes longer to create a new set of dentures from nylon polymer. Still, many patients find the wait more than worth it.
What Are the Frames of Partial Dentures Made Of?
Partial dentures or partials can be made of a wider variety of materials than full dentures. That’s because they do not technically have to match the color of your gums, since part of the denture frame hides behind the teeth.
Most partials consist of either metal or a flexible denture material. Metals include chrome cobalt and other alloys, while flexible partial denture materials include acrylic resin, nylon, and other polymers.
Read on to find out which of these partial denture base materials is right for you.
Chrome Cobalt
Many dentists recommend chrome cobalt for partial dentures only. Creating full dentures frames from this material may increase visibility, which is a significant drawback for sensitive wearers. This problem is not as apparent with partial chrome cobalt dentures.
Reasons some people go with this option include the material’s impressive durability and longevity. It is also lightweight and more comfortable, reducing the risk of dentures moving around in the mouth or, worse, falling out.
Cons of this partial denture material include the cost and the fact that some people are allergic to chrome cobalt.
Other Metal Alloys
Base metal alloys have been the go-to for partial dentures since the 1930s. These alloys consist of some combination of nickel, chromium, cobalt, stainless steel, or gold. Alloys can be the most affordable material for partial denture frames.
Metal alloys offer benefits like strength, durability, and a snug fit. However, they come with similar problems as chrome cobalt denture frames: they are somewhat visible in the mouth and only suitable for partials.
Titanium and its alloys are increasingly common, especially for patients with metal or polymer allergies. The material is also incredibly lightweight and comfortable. Of course, these benefits come with a significantly higher cost.
Acrylic Resin
Acrylic resins are an option for flexible dentures. Flexible dentures tend to be more comfortable to wear since they rarely affect eating or speaking. They can also resist wear and tear when cared for properly.
As with acrylic resin denture teeth, though, this material is not as strong and durable as it could be. Its relatively low price tag speaks for that fact.
Another downside to acrylic resin partial denture frames is that they can be bulky and relatively uncomfortable to wear. This happens because acrylic resin frames do not always fit as well as metal or other flexible polymer frames.
Flexible Polymers
Flexible polymers are becoming the gold standard in partial dentures. They are virtually invisible, hypoallergenic for the vast majority of people, and highly flexible and comfortable for wearers.
An example of a flexible polymer is nylon polyamide. Nylon polyamides offer the same benefits for partials as they do for full denture frames. Namely, they are natural-looking and incredibly durable.
Plus, flexible polymers are relatively affordable. They cost less than titanium and chrome cobalt frames. And though their price tag is higher than acrylic resin and nickel-containing metal alloys, the investment can be worth it in the long run.
Buy Dentures Online at DentureRescue
So, what are dentures made of? Most dentures consist of a combination of strong, lightweight, and highly durable metal alloys and polymers. These materials ensure a comfortable fit and a sound investment.
Are you ready to find the right dentures for your unique needs? At DentureRescue, we offer high-quality yet cheap dentures for you. Order your new teeth today and see how much you can save!
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