Dentures: The More Affordable Replacement Option

An astounding 12% of Canadians this past year avoided specific foods due to dental problems. Of that percentage, the majority of those probably need dentures due to the severity of their dental hygiene conditions.

What are dentures? Originally invented in Japan in the early 16th century, wooden dentures were all the rage until technological advancements were made, and materials like ivory became more popular. Dentures are a set of fake teeth and gums (for stability and retention) that are manually inserted into the mouth. People can either opt for permanent dentures of removable dentures depending on needs and preferences.

Types of dentures: Those who need dentures but are reluctant to purchase them due to cost may not realize that dentures are relatively inexpensive compared to other alternatives, such as dental implants — an industry valued at $80 million in 2012. Canadians spent nearly $12.5 billion on dental services in 2013, but that doesn’t mean one has to shell out. Before you buy dentures, it is best to determine which type you need.

Complete dentures: Complete dentures mean that the individual has lost all or most of their teeth on either their upper or lower jaw. This type can be split into conventional dentures and immediate dentures.

The immediate ones are affordable dentures that are made in advance and the cosmetic dentist can position and fit the denture to the mouth right away. The benefits of immediate dentures is that the patient doesn’t have to go a day without a set of teeth. It is important to note, however, that the gums and jawbones will shrink over time and the dentures will need to be refitted a few times.
Conventional dentures are made after the patient has undergone surgery to remove their remaining teeth. This type allows for the gums to heal first before inserting and fitting the denture. Overall, the new set of teeth will be ready to wear in about eight to 12 weeks post surgery.

Partial dentures: Those looking for more affordable dentures rather than complete dentures should opt for these — as long as the remaining teeth are healthy and will not need to be removed in the future.

These dental bridges are used to replace only a few missing teeth and are attached to a gum-colored plastic that helps them stay in the mouth. Within the plastic gums are metal wires that support the framework. When inserted, there are crowns placed on the remaining real teeth on either side of the missing ones. The crown and bridge is then cemented in order to prevent the remaining teeth from shifting over time.

Depending on the materials used and personal preferences, affordable dentures are attainable and many people prefer them over other options.