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Dr. Philip Sherman, DMD – Blog

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What are dentures made of?

Set of dentures on white background .

They say that George Washington wore dentures made of wood. In truth, they were more likely made of lead, cow teeth and elephant ivory. Luckily, we’ve advanced a bit since then. Today we use various types of resin or porcelain. Porcelain dentures were the preferred material because it was stronger and more durableand is still used in a lot of cases.

Porcelain Dentures
Some of the advantages of porcelain are:

  • They’re translucent so they look like natural tooth enamel, and can more easily be color-matched to a person’s real teeth
  • Porcelain dentures feel more like natural teeth
  • They’re harder, so they last longer

The big drawback: porcelain is a fairly delicate and can break if dropped on a hard surface. They may also wear down natural teeth if they bite against them. They’re a much better choice for full dentures than partials.

Acrylic Resin Dentures
Recently, acrylic resin has become the go-to material for making dentures. Acrylic adheres more securely to the denture.

Some advantages of Acrylic Resin:

  • They adhere more securely to the denture base making them easier to adjust than harder porcelain teeth
  • They’re much less expensive than porcelain
  • They’re far lighter which can mean more comfort.

The drawback: Dentures made from acrylic resin wear faster than porcelain teeth so they may need to be replaced every five to eight years as a result, but they are still much stronger than the plastic ones of the past.

The lifespan of your dentures also depends on you and how much you care about your oral hygiene. You have to clean your dentures and your natural gums daily. Don’t let your dentures dry out. Place them in a denture cleanser approved by your dentist or in plain, not hot water, when you’re not wearing them. Hot water can warp them causing them not to fit properly. Be careful not to drop them when cleaning them so always clean them over the sink. Brush them daily to remove food and plaque and to avoid stains. Also, continue to brush your gums and tongue daily with a soft bristle brush before putting the dentures in place.

If you’re ready to get your smile back come visit the friendly staff at Breezy Bay Dental in Palm Harbor, just south of Tarpon Springs on Alternate 19. We’re ready to meet you and get started on that winning smile. Contact us today!