Permanent Dentures – Types Pros and Cons

Missing teeth can be uncomfortable and affect your oral health in multiple ways. Fortunately, a denture is a cost-effective and reliable way to transform your smile and oral function. Dentures are dental prostheses that replace missing teeth. When considering dentures, you may be curious about your options.

Generally, there are many types of dentures, some removable and others fixed. This article examines the various types of permanent dentures and their pros and cons. Our dentist can help you select the best dentures in Edgartown, MA.

Types of dentures

Fixed (Removable) Dentures

Many people like that they can remove their dentures whenever they want, especially for cleaning and maintenance. These options can include the following:

• Overdentures

An overdenture is a removable dental prosthesis made of artificial teeth and gums. The denture can either be partial or complete. A complete denture replaces all lost teeth on either or both jaws. Partial dentures replace one or several missing teeth.

Overdentures rest on your natural bone, gums, and teeth (if any), covering the gaps left by the missing teeth. Overdentures can also be secured with a metal frame or bar.

Pros

• Relatively inexpensive
• Easy and quick to place
• Requires fewer implants
• Easy to remove

Cons

• Require regular maintenance (twice yearly)
• Removable – not all people like removable restorations
• It can get damaged and ill-fitting over some time can easily fall off or dislodge

Deutsch removable bridges

The Deutsch removable bridge is an excellent option if you’re looking for a more stable and comfortable in your dentures. They are reinforced with a metal bar, minimizing the risk of the denture coming off unintentionally.

Pros

• Requires less maintenance
• Easy to remove for maintenance and cleaning
• Stable. No movements in the mouth
• Requires fewer implants
• Easily hides imperfections

Cons

• Some people dislike removable restorations.
• It may chip or break over time.
• More expensive than overdentures

Fixed (Non-removable) Implant Options

If you don’t like the idea of removable dentures or can’t qualify for traditional dental implants due to bone loss, you might be a good candidate for implant-supported dentures. In this case, you have three main options:

Hybrid restoration

This option consists of a fixed full set of complete dentures that replace both the lower and upper teeth. The denture is supported or secured by the jawbone, thus providing excellent stability. They won’t dislodge or move out of position when talking or eating. Another key benefit of the denture is completing it in a day. For this reason, sometimes, they are called “teeth in a day.”

Pros

• Strong and stable
• It feels and looks like natural teeth
• Less expensive than Zirconia fixed dentures
• Can be placed in a day

Cons

• Abrasives can cause stains on the acrylic
• Requires more implants (4-6)
• May chip over time
• More difficult to clean and maintenance

Full contour zirconia

Zirconia is a strong, good-looking, durable restoration material for replacing missing or damaged teeth. It resists chipping and staining better than acrylic.

Pros

• Resist staining better than natural teeth
• Feel and look like natural teeth
• Can be done in a single appointment
• Very strong and highly unlikely to chip or break

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• More difficult to clean
• Requires more implants (4 – 6)
• Requires maintenance every 6 – 12 months

Full contour zirconia with porcelain

It’s a relatively high-end restoration that incorporates zirconia and porcelain materials. The dentures require exceptional professional skills. Full contour zirconia dentures are ideal for people looking for a combination of the best esthetics and function in their smile.

Pros

• Great aesthetics
• It feels and looks like natural teeth
• Highly resistant to damage and staining
• It can be done in a day

Cons

• Harder to clean than removable dentures
• Require more implants (4 – 6)
• Requires maintenance every 6 – 12 months
• More expensive than other dentures

Are you looking for a Permanent Denture near Edgartown? Or are you ready to transform your smile and oral function with dentures near you? Contact Edgartown Dental Group for more information.