Did you know that George Washington’s infamous wooden chompers never actually existed? They’re a myth! In fact, his dentures were made of ivory, gold, and lead. Historians believe that, through years of staining, they simply looked as if they were made of wood. In addition, the myth may have been created to portray Washington as a man of the people, who wore dentures made of an ordinary material that was accessible to all. Fortunately, these days, dentures aren’t made from wood, ivory, gold, or lead, and though they do require an adjustment period, they’re more comfortable than ever before. So, what are dentures made of?
The Materials Used to Make Dentures
When crafting these removable oral appliances, dental technicians must use high-quality materials that will help them accomplish a few important goals. First, the dentures must fit and function properly, allowing the wearer to speak and eat comfortably. Second, they must be safe for daily use. Third, they need to be durable and long-lasting. And finally, they need to look natural and beautiful, giving the wearer confidence in their smile. All of these goals are important no matter what type of dentures you require for your oral health needs: full dentures, partial dentures, immediate dentures, implant-retained dentures, or implant-supported dentures.
So, what are dentures made of? Dental technicians craft dentures from various materials, including acrylic, nylon, resin, metal, and/or porcelain. Typically, the framework is made from acrylic, nylon, or metal, and the teeth are either acrylic resin or porcelain.
Your dentist can help you decide whether acrylic resin or porcelain is a better fit for your denture teeth, though porcelain isn’t commonly used these days. Porcelain typically looks a little more natural and lasts longer than acrylic. That said, it’s typically a bad choice for partial dentures because it may cause abrasions on adjacent teeth. Acrylic, on the other hand, is stronger, more affordable, more lightweight, more comfortable, and more easily adjusted when compared to porcelain. But acrylic also wears down faster than porcelain, so you may need to replace your dentures more often (every five to eight years, generally) if they’re constructed from acrylic resin. These days, most dentures are made from acrylic resin.
How Are Dentures Made?
The fabrication of comfortable, well-fitting, and natural-looking dentures requires several steps:
- Taking Impressions: First, your dentist will take impressions of both your upper and lower jaws, including your gums and any remaining teeth. Sometimes two impressions are needed for a perfect fit.
- Creating a Plaster Model: Next, your dentist will send the impressions to a dental lab, where a technician will use the information to create a plaster model of your mouth. This replica is essential to the creation of custom dentures that fit your mouth and mimic the shape of your natural teeth.
- Building the Base: After that, the technician will use wax registration blocks to determine the placement of the artificial teeth and begin building the base using acrylic, nylon, and/or resin.
- Adding the Teeth: Finally, they will add the artificial teeth and check that the upper and lower teeth fit together well.
- Checking the Fit: After a final polish, the dentures will be sent to your dentist, and you’ll need to make an appointment to check that the dentures fit your mouth comfortably.
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So, what are dentures made of? Typically, dental technicians use acrylic, resin, nylon, metal, and porcelain to craft well-fitting, natural-looking dentures.
If you’re looking for an experienced, reliable, and friendly dentist in or near Springfield, Missouri, contact Wilkinson Dental. Dr. Wilkinson and his team will give you the personalized treatment you deserve using state-of-the-art technology. Schedule your first appointment today by calling 417-708-0556 or requesting an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you!