What Are False Teeth Made Of?

In times gone by, tooth-loss had previously been managed by filing animal teeth and pieces of animal bone down and crudely attaching them into place. The former US president George Washington famously sported an early form dentures created from a mishmash of cow teeth, lead, human teeth and elephant ivory.

Thankfully, oral hygiene has moved on in the 21st century, and the technology involved in creating dentures is nothing short of genius. But what exactly are dentures made out of nowadays?

False teeth – porcelain or resin?

The teeth in dentures are usually manufactured from different types of porcelain or resin. The former was traditionally used on account of being more durable, although porcelain has been popular for several decades and carries a number of advantages:

• Porcelain has a similar translucent appearance to natural tooth enamel and can be closely colour-matched to fit in with the patient’s original remaining teeth.
• Porcelain feels quite similar to natural teeth, making them easier for the patient to get used to.
• During the manufacturing process, porcelain dentures are excessively heated. This process causes them to become considerably tougher, which means they last a lot longer.
  

There are also a number of down-sides to porcelain false teeth. If porcelain dentures are dropped on a hard floor, they can easily smash. They can also wear down natural teeth when rubbing/biting against them. For this reason, porcelain is more widely used in full dentures than partial sets.

What about acrylic resin?

In recent years, acrylic resin has been the go-to material for denture manufacturing. Research undertaken by the National Institute of Health was aimed at discovering a new way to manufacture more durable dentures. To achieve this, injections of a hybrid resin composite were used.

The result is a composite which adheres more securely to the denture base. This new resin is also easier to adjust, making it easier for orthodontists to move dentures to achieve the right occlusion. Resin is also significantly cheaper than porcelain, as well as being lighter.

However, one of the main disadvantages of composite resin dentures is that they tend to wear down much more quickly than porcelain false teeth. This can cause issues in the way teeth come into contact with one another. It’s estimated that acrylic resin dentures could need to be replaced every five years.

How are denture frameworks made?

False teeth require a framework to hold them. This can be a full or partial plate, dependent on whether the patient has any remaining natural teeth. These frameworks are typically manufactured from an acrylic resin or a flexible nylon polymer. Occasionally, frameworks are moulded from chrome cobalt.

To create the framework, a dental expert will first take an impression of the patient’s gums. This impression is used to create a soft wax model, to which the false teeth are added. The model is then tested in the mouth of the patient to confirm it will be a comfortable fit, and that the colour scheme matches the patient’s remaining natural teeth.

What option should I choose for my dentures?

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different denture types will give you an indication as to how long you can expect your dentures to last. It’s important to remember that the lifespan of your dentures will depend largely on your daily oral hygiene regimen. It is essential to clean your dentures daily if you want them to last, and you should also take good care of your gums to ensure they are healthy enough to wear dentures.

When it comes to choosing your denture materials, it’s ultimately down to personal preference – your budget, your opinion on what looks best and your idea of what feels best should all inform your decision.