Dentures have been around for as long as we can remember, being the go-to solution for tooth loss for decades. However, there is now a much wider range of options available to those who have suffered from gum disease or who need to replace missing teeth than ever before.
At EvoDental, the vast majority of the patients who come to us have either had a denture in the past but no longer wear one or have one in situ and are unhappy with how it performs.
But why are dentures becoming less popular and what are the biggest reasons for the rapid decline in denture-wearing? Read on to find out why!
Are there different types dentures?
People tend to discuss dentures as one homogeneous group, which can make understanding how they function and the differences between them difficult to express.
As such, dentures can generally be split into four main types:
- Full dentures or false teeth
The most common type of all, full dentures or false teeth are generally removable and can be used for replacing missing teeth on the whole upper or lower arch – or both.
These are the dentures that come to mind and are removed for sleeping and cleaning.
Once awake, the wearer will then refit the full denture, using denture adhesives to keep them in place throughout the day.
- Removable partial dentures
Like complete dentures, a removable partial denture replaces missing natural teeth and slots neatly between the remaining teeth during the day.
These are also not fixed and like with removable dentures, may need to be held in place with denture adhesive to help them remain still while speaking and eating.
The artificial teeth on the partial dentures can be customised to help them blend in with your remaining natural teeth and will need thorough cleaning when the teeth are removed with a denture cleaning solution or tablet to keep them looking good.
- Immediate dentures
Immediate dentures can be a full denture or a kind of partial denture which are given after tooth extraction.
However, unlike other options, immediate dentures can be offered as an interim solution before a final tooth loss treatment plan is carried out – meaning that you may only need to wear them for a few weeks or months.
- Implant-retained dentures and partial dentures
These dentures offer a fixed alternative and are held in place with dental implants.
In this format, complete dentures and partial dentures can be more comfortable and a little easier to keep clean.
However, while they offer a fixed bridge, implant-retained dentures can still be bulky and have that false teeth look that might not be for everyone.
Why do some patients dislike dentures?
Wearing dentures isn’t for everyone, no matter how skilled the clinical dental technician that crafted or tweaked them to ensure proper denture fit. The most popular reasons for non-compliance with dentures of all types include:
Restricted diets
Most dentures reduce biting force, meaning that from crunchy apples and toffees to steak and other tough food items, the list of items you can no longer safely eat is long.
While it can be tempting, consuming very chewy or crunchy food can cause expensive damage – which can leave you out of pocket and with no dentures or only delicate immediate dentures while yours are repaired.
Likewise, some patients also report difficulty in eating even softer and more manageable foods. This is because the plastic of the denture can cover the whole palette, impacting the tastebuds and significantly dulling the flavours of food, while also making the coordination of chewing more difficult – no matter how strong your denture fixative is.
Ill-fitting dentures
When having dentures fitted, your clinical dental technician will take an impression of your mouth to ensure a close-fitting prosthesis.
However, because of changes to the jaw as time goes on – as a result of bone reabsorption, changing facial muscles, and gum shrinkage – your final denture may only fit properly for a few months.
This then means that as you continue to wear dentures, they will inevitably start to shift slightly whenever you move your mouth – even if you use a denture adhesive. Over time, this movement can cause irritation and make dentures painful to wear, even if it’s just a partial denture.
The good news is that a poorly fitted denture can be rectified by getting dentures adjusted, but as changes will continue for years to come, it is unlikely to ever be permanently resolved.
They don’t look like natural teeth
Chances are, your dentures don’t look as natural as you’d have hoped and can stand out against your natural teeth – drawing extra attention to them.
Whether it’s because your dentures are too bright or they don’t fit well, resulting in them moving around your mouth when you speak, eat, or drink – there are many ways that your dentures might not blend in with your remaining teeth.
They’re challenging to get used to!
When dentures are used as a temporary fix or a way to replace missing teeth as part of ongoing treatment, they can work for the short term.
However, for long-term denture wearers, the foreign feeling in the mouth that comes with all dentures means that some patients simply can’t get used to it – resulting in them avoiding wearing their dentures altogether.
Similarly, complex routines for cleaning dentures and remembering to buy denture cleaning tablets or a specialist denture solution, as well as denture adhesives, can be tough for people, especially if they are busy.
Overall, then, for some patients, the day-to-day experience of wearing dentures or artificial teeth can just be too much.
Full mouth dental implants – the preferred, functional alternative to dentures
Whether you’re opting to only wear your dentures when you’re out in public, never wear them due to discomfort, or find yourself avoiding living life to the full through embarrassment or shame, you’re not alone.
The good news is that there are now many innovative denture alternatives you can consider, even in the most severe cases of tooth loss, and our team at EvoDental are experts in the field.
This includes the advanced alternative to all on 4 dental implants, the EvoSolution™, which has been specifically optimised to make full mouth dental implants possible for more patients than ever before. Including those who:
- Believe dentures to be their only option
- Have been told they have low bone levels and can’t have implants
- Already have extensive dental work, including bridges or crowns
- Are living with periodontal (gum) disease
- Are missing most of, if not all, of their natural teeth
Feel limited in their diet choices, relying on soft foods because of poor oral health
Need to find a comfortable alternative to dentures? Book your free consultation today!
We appreciate how important a healthy and full smile is to our patients, which is why we do all that we can to be accessible to all. With some of the most competitive prices for the type of innovative treatments we do and a range of finance options available – we’re confident that we can help you.
So, ready to ditch the dentures for a permanent solution? Call our friendly team on 0800 470 3050 Click to Call or book a FREE consultation where we can tell you there and then if you are eligible for the EvoSolution™.