What are Dentures Made of?

woman holding set of model dentures

Dentures and partials offer people a quality of life and give them the ability to chew food again.
But not many people know what materials and compounds these nifty dental inventions are made of. 

There are two main types of dentures, partial and full, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Both types are created from the same set of materials. 

What are Most Dentures Made of? 

Denture Base Materials: 

  • Acrylic 
  • Nylon 
  • Plastic 
  • Porcelain 
  • Resin 
  • Metal 

Denture Frame Materials: 

  • Acrylic
  • Nylon
  • Metal

According to Science Direct, the majority of dentures are made from acrylic resin, as this is the most cost-effective choice. Plastic is another favorite. 

Acrylic and plastic are easy to manipulate into the right shape and can fit comfortably within a patient’s mouth. 

Sometimes a denture base is made of metal if there’s an allergic reaction to acrylic.

Do Certain Denture Types Have Specific Materials? 

You can get any denture, full or partial, in any material: nylon, resin, metal, or porcelain material. 

What are the Components of a Denture? 

  • Artificial Teeth: your new teeth.
  • Retainers: they prevent dislodgment of the denture.
  • Connectors: “connecting” components from one side of the arch to the other.
  • The Saddle: used to transfer the pressure load when biting down on dentures.
  • Incisal and Occlusal Rests: provides structural support for the denture. 
  • The Framework: a full or partial plate that comes in 3 types (conventional, immediate, and overdenture).

What Types of Dentures are Available? 

  • Traditional 
  • Partial 
  • Custom
  • Immediate
  • Implant-supported
  • Snap-in 
  • Overdentures
  • Upper dentures
  • Economy dentures

What are the Best Dentures to Get? 

  • Acrylic Resin Dentures.
  • Porcelain Dentures. 
  • Partial Metal Dentures.

Porcelain dentures are the most natural-looking dentures, as these mimic the appearance of teeth. Acrylic, though not as natural looking, is less expensive than porcelain and has a lighter weight. 

Acrylic dentures wear down faster than porcelain, which could mean buying a replacement every five to eight years. 

Partial metal dentures are the sturdiest due to their structure. 

How to Tell the Quality of Your Denture? 

Whether plastic, acrylic, or metal, your dentures should A.) fit snugly, B.) look natural, and C.) offer you a comfortable experience when eating. 

How are Dentures Made & Fitted? 

All denture materials, be they acrylic, porcelain, or metal, go through the same phases when being created: image modeling, wax form prototypes, and final adjustments. 

The Steps to Fitting Dentures: 

  1. First, the dentist takes an impression of your mouth’s shape via X-ray. Advanced imaging technologies are used to acquire the specific information needed to craft the right denture size and shape for your mouth. 
  2. A 3D model replica, wax form, or plastic pattern is cast to test the proportions. 
  3. You’ll try on the model denture several times to ensure it’s the right look and feel before a final model is created. 
  4. The final denture is created and tested.  
  5. Light adjustments and modifications are made as needed, and then you have a new set of teeth. 

How Different Denture Types Affect Your Teeth and Gums 

Some individuals could be allergic to the compounds found in dentures, whether it’s acrylic resin, nickel, or tooth-colored dyes. 

Itching and rashes on the gums are a sign of an allergic reaction to your dentures. 

Get Dentures and Partials at Northside Dental in Springfield, MO

Schedule your Dental Appointment with Northside Dental Clinic in Springfield, Missouri. Get full or partial dentures in Springfield, Missouri, with Northside Dental Clinic. Submit a contact form to get started!