Dentures are all prosthetic restorations made specifically for a given patient. They aim to help the patient smile again. Above all, however, they have a strictly functional purpose.
What are dentures?
Dentures are a large group of very diverse restorations used to fill the missing individual or a larger number of teeth. These are individualized solutions and therefore tailored to the needs of a specific patient not only in terms of size but also aesthetics. They can be made of different materials, and they differ in price, durability, and method of placement in the oral cavity. Dentures are used to restore all functions of the oral cavity, especially chewing and vocalization.
Types of dentures
The basic line of division of dentures results from the possibility of their self-removal or the lack of it. Permanent denture placement requires specialized tools and extensive knowledge, while fully and partially removable dentures can be removed and repeatedly put on by the patient.
Of all the types listed below, it is worth paying attention to overdentures. They are a combination of fixed and movable dentures, so their classification as removable dentures is rather a matter of convention.
Removable dentures
Removable dentures are used for both toothlessness and smaller tooth loss. Such a denture should be properly fitted and its position in the oral cavity can be fixed using special adhesive creams. Some of them transfer forces to the mucosa and teeth, others mostly to the teeth.
Partial and full acrylic dentures
The cheapest and most popular dentures. They deserve their popularity mainly because they are reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ).
Advantages
- Low price and short execution time.
- Low damage repair costs.
- Correct aesthetics.
- Possibility to obtain in most of the prosthetic centers.
- Ease of cleaning and little impact on oral hygiene.
Disadvantages
- Limited durability and high sensitivity to the transmission of chewing forces.
- Sensitivity to fatigue fractures.
- Aesthetics deteriorates over time.
- Potentially the greatest discomfort connected with wearing a denture.
Flexible dentures
Created as an alternative to acrylic dentures, they look better and are usually more comfortable but more expensive.
Advantages
- More comfort than in the case of acrylic dentures.
- Increased resistance to damage.
- Aesthetic appearance even after a long time.
- Lightweight
Disadvantages
- Cannot be used in the case of complete toothlessness.
- Relatively high price but still limited durability.
- Selection of several subtypes with different properties, which makes it difficult to identify the available variants.
Overdentures
Specific solutions with high configuration possibilities, combining fixed and mobile dentures.
Advantages
The possibility of creating virtually any combination of restorations tailored to the patient’s needs.
- Possibility to reduce costs compared to some other methods.
- High wearing comfort.
- In the long term, reducing the costs associated with the replacement of only selected elements of the denture.
Disadvantages
- Relatively high cost.
- The necessity to attend several visits to prepare the denture, and often also to undergo additional oral treatments.
Frame dentures
Small and lightweight partial removable denture with increased flexibility. Relatively cheap, and at the same time providing quite high comfort.
Advantages
- Undoubtedly more comfortable than acrylic, as well as some flexible materials.
- Transferring the chewing force to the teeth, and a lesser extent to the mucous membrane.
- Relatively short preparation time and easy repairs.
Disadvantages
- The possibility of placement only in some cases of partial deficiencies.
- The price is higher than in the case of acrylic dentures, but they are not necessarily more durable.
- Risk of greater discomfort if the denture does not fit perfectly.
Fixed dentures
Fixed dentures are placed in the dental office and only the dentist can remove them. Most often, a better anatomical fit can be achieved in this way, but if it is not performed correctly, it can lead to lesions in the oral cavity.
Crowns and bridges
Both of them are the reconstructions of the tooth crown, but either of one or at least three adjacent ones.
Advantages
- Maximum precision in the reconstruction of the tooth surface, and thus full recovery of function and aesthetic appearance.
- Possibility to adjust the color of the restoration to the color of the patient’s teeth.
Disadvantages
- Some have limited translucency and this negatively affects the aesthetics.
- In some cases, hard crowns and bridges may accelerate the abrasion of natural tooth surfaces.
Veneers
Small thickness shells attached to the front part of incisors and canines are used in case of chipping, cracks, or for aesthetic reasons.
Advantages
- Simple, non-invasive restoration.
- The possibility of not only recovering but even improving the aesthetics of a smile.
- Relatively low price.
Disadvantages
It is possible to rebuild only small cavities on natural teeth.
Limited mechanical strength.
Dental Implants
Complicated, multi-component restorations fixed directly in the mandible or jaw bone. They give the best chance of regaining the full function of natural teeth.
Advantages
- A very versatile method of restoring dental arches, both as a whole and in part.
- Very high durability, mechanical strength, and at the same time a good biological fit.
- Possibility to achieve a perfect aesthetic effect.
Disadvantages
- Quite a long list of contraindications.
- The necessity to undergo several visits and be under local anesthesia.
- High cost and non-refundable.
What to consider when choosing a denture?
- The decision to choose a specific type of denture should be preceded by a consultation with a dentist, who presents the advantages and disadvantages of individual solutions.
- The basic selection criterion will be the size and location of the cavities, because it allows, for example, to choose less aesthetic, but more durable dentures for the back of the arches, and maximally aesthetic and more expensive ones for the front.
- Durability is important because the more expensive the denture, the more expensive it will be not only to replace it but also to repair it after the warranty period elapses.
- The factor that cannot be neglected is the comfort of use. The cheapest dentures often perform poorly in this respect and it is the reason for buying better, though more expensive variants.
- The price is also important, but it should certainly not be the main selection criterion. You should pay more attention to it when comparing functionally similar dentures.
- The method of attachment, although standardized, may affect the comfort of wearing various types of restorations. It will also determine what loads dentures will be able to bear in practice without damage.
When selecting dentures, it is important to pay attention to the material from which they are made, because some of them (especially some metal alloys) may not be fully biocompatible, which results in additional discomfort for the patient.
Regardless of the type of denture chosen, it is also necessary to focus on choosing a good specialist. The best denture will not perform its job if it is poorly fitted.
Are dentures reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ)?
Yes, although to a limited extent. The regulations mention directly the reimbursement when it comes to restoring missing teeth with partial dentures only with simple bendable clasps in the range of 5-8 missing teeth in one dental arch and full dentures.
The details are of course a bit more complicated, but in short, once every five years, the purchase of usually the cheapest, simplest, but not the most durable or aesthetic dentures is reimbursed. Therefore, in the end, many patients in the dental office decide to finance a better denture themselves.
How much can a denture cost?
Prices of dentures vary widely and depend on the design, degree of complexity, materials used, and many other factors.
- Single crowns cost between PLN 1600 (with a metal base) and PLN 3200 (ceramic crown).
- Bridges on a metal base cost between PLN 3000 (with a metal structure) and PLN 4-5 thousand (all-ceramic)
- Frame dentures cost between PLN 500 and PLN 5,000 depending on the degree of complexity.
- Acrylic dentures cost from PLN 600 to PLN 1200, nylon dentures slightly more, and partial acrylic dentures from PLN 300 to PLN 800.
- The cost of overdentures may amount to several thousand zlotys depending on the number of completed restorations and the type of fixings.
- In the case of restorations on implants, the total cost may amount to several thousand zlotys depending on the number of implants and whether additional restorations will be placed on them, or if it is sufficient to rebuild a single tooth.
It is impossible to create an exhaustive price list because the cost of ‘false teeth’ depends on too many factors. It is even difficult to say that partial dentures are cheaper than full dentures, because their construction can be more complicated, and this is one of the most important factors affecting the cost of dentures.
Dentures at HCentrum Stomatologiczne Jasińscy
At HCentrum, we know that healthy teeth are not all. Prostheses are important not only for aesthetic reasons, although this cannot be underestimated. Book an appointment, come and talk to your dentist about the solutions that will be best for you.
