Dallas, TX Cosmetic Dentist Discusses Polymer Dentures

Written by Dr. Lin on Feb 14, 2014

When visiting our Dallas, TX Dentist office, many patients express concern about the possibility of needing dentures. Most people associate dentures with the pain, discomfort and inconvenience that their parents or grandparents may have experienced with traditional dentures. But the good news is that, along with many other advances in modern dentistry, the design and materials used in dentures have improved significantly. Modern dentures are designed to be comfortable and functional as well as being very similar in appearance to natural teeth in order to improve your smile.

What are dentures?
A denture is a removable dental appliance crated as a replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and can even enhance your smile. Very detailed impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create dentures that are custom-fit to your mouth. The Dallas, TX Cosmetic Dentist crafts dentures using a soft, flexible polymer rather than traditional rigid metal. Your dentures will be gently custom-fit to your mouth, ensuring a comfortable fit and enabling you to speak and eat with ease.

What are dentures made of?
Patients have many options of materials to choose from that can affect the aesthetic results as well as the comfort level afforded the wearer. Today’s polymer dentures are flexible so they are naturally more comfortable to wear as well as being more natural-looking than plastic dentures. For example, plastic dentures are very rigid resulting in soreness of the gums and cheek tissue. In addition to being rigid and uncomfortable, plastic dentures are also less durable. Polymer dentures are somewhat more expensive, but most people do not mind paying the extra cost to gain the advantages of polymer dentures. 

How long will polymer dentures last?

Today’s polymer dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years. However, as with any dental appliance they may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted at some point in the future due to normal wear.