The Tribune

By Dr Tamika Ferguson

Do you have missing teeth? Does this make it difficult for you to chew food? Are you embarrassed to smile because people will see the spaces?

Then it’s time to consider replacing those teeth. There are several options for replacement of missing teeth, these options include: a bridge, denture, or implants. Of these choices dentures are the least expensive option. Dentures are basically removable false teeth used to replace the lack of some or all of your teeth. There are two types of dentures; partial and complete. Partial dentures take the place of only a few missing teeth while complete dentures replace all the teeth in the mouth.

If you and your dentist have discussed the alternatives for missing teeth, and you believe a partial denture is the best option, then you have several basic types to decide from: the acrylic denture, the cobalt chrome denture and the flexi-denture.

An acrylic denture consists of denture teeth attached to an acrylic base. The cobalt chrome denture has a metal framework on which denture teeth are attached by acrylic. The flexi-denture is a metal free alternative to the partial denture equation. The false teeth are attached to a slightly flexible gum- coloured denture base which extends to make the clasps.

There are a number of factors to be considered when choosing which type of partial denture is best for you: finances, future mouth changes, appearance, and your dexterity and control.

• Finances

The acrylic denture is the easiest and most basic denture to make therefore it is significantly cheaper than the flexi-denture and cobalt chrome denture.

Future mouth changes

When selecting the appropriate denture, one of your main questions should be, “Are my remaining teeth healthy?” Generally, it is easier to add teeth and make changes to acrylic dentures than cobalt chrome dentures. Teeth cannot be added to flexi-dentures.

If you have severe gum disease or your remaining teeth are not in a healthy state and you are likely to have to add teeth to your denture on a future occasion, then an acrylic denture will make life easier.

• Appearance

If appearance is a main concern then the flexi-denture is your best bet. There are no metal clasps instead the clasps are gum-coloured. Cobalt chrome dentures tend to be the next best, as the framework provides better grip allowing the denture to be made thinner than an acrylic denture.

An acrylic denture is often significantly more bulky and requires more muscle control which can lead to a slightly less natural appearance. The acrylic denture does however have less visible metal than a cobalt chrome denture.

• Dexterity and control

Initially, persons may have difficulty putting in and taking out their denture.

It is crucial that dentures can be removed for cleaning or the remaining teeth will suffer.

After some time you will become accustomed to the denture and the initial difficulty will go away. But if you are an individual who may suffer from arthritic conditions or neuromuscular problems then special care should be taken when deciding on your denture. Acrylic dentures generally have the least grip therefore making them easier to get in and out. With cobalt chrome dentures, their clasps around the teeth need to be appropriately tightened.

Flexi-dentures can have so much grip that even very competent adults can sometimes struggle to remove them. Therefore, if dexterity is an issue, they may be best avoided.

If you have missing teeth, it’s time to act. Visit your dentist today and ask about these affordable options for replacement, so you can smile proudly and no longer be embarrassed.