What are the advantages and disadvantages of removable dentures

We all know that ensuring the quality of diet can allow the body to obtain more nutritional value, but once there is a problem with the teeth, it is very painful to look at the nutritious food and not be able to eat it. Therefore, once the teeth fall out or are damaged, they need to be filled. Among them, removable dentures are the most common one, but it has both good and bad sides. We must fully understand it before making a choice. Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of removable dentures.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of removable dentures?

Advantages of removable dentures (removable dentures) include:

1) The production process is relatively simple, especially when there is an occlusal relationship between the upper and lower teeth. Generally, the mold is taken once and the teeth can be worn next time.

2) The price is relatively low. Compared with fixed dentures and dental implants, the price is generally lower. Even for high-end removable dentures, the price is not very high. Compared with high-end fixed dentures and dental implants, it is not high.

Disadvantages of removable dentures include:

1) Low chewing efficiency. Removable dentures only rest on adjacent teeth or even fall completely on the mucosa. The dentures have a large degree of mobility and the chewing efficiency is low.

2) Grind away healthy teeth. Removable dentures place denture components on some healthy teeth, and the corresponding healthy tooth tissue must be removed to make room for these components.

3) It needs to be taken off and put on every day, which is inconvenient. Removable dentures need to be taken out and soaked in water every night, and they need to be taken out after meals to brush and clean the dentures. It is very inconvenient to take them off and put them on many times a day, especially for young people who are about to enter middle-aged and elderly people. It is like constantly reminding themselves: I am old and my teeth have fallen out. This feeling is not pleasant.

4) Discomfort. Removable dentures have a tray. Especially when there are many missing teeth, the tray will be relatively large or even full. There is also a clasp (hook), which of course will be uncomfortable. If you have a denture made with a resin base, the discomfort will be even greater.

5) Not aesthetically pleasing. Removable dentures have hooks, and if they are exposed, it will affect the appearance, especially when the hooks are relatively forward.

6) There is food retention. There will be gaps between removable dentures and real teeth, which can easily trap food.

7) There is a risk of accidental swallowing. When removable dentures are not well retained, they are easy to fall off when eating. If the denture is small, such as a removable bridge made for a single missing tooth, there is a risk of accidental swallowing. If it accidentally enters the esophagus, it is not a big deal. But if it accidentally enters the trachea, it will be life-threatening. There are real examples of such misfortunes. Therefore, if a single tooth is missing and the removable denture is small, be careful about the problem of accidental swallowing of the denture, especially for elderly people with limited mobility.

8) It is not conducive to the periodontal cleaning of the remaining teeth. When the base of a removable denture is large, it often covers part of many teeth, causing hidden dangers in the periodontal cleaning of this part, resulting in a greatly increased chance of these teeth suffering from gingivitis, periodontitis, and caries.

9) Need to be replaced regularly. The alveolar ridge will continue to shrink, and when a denture is newly made, it will fit closely to the alveolar ridge. However, after a period of time, a large gap will appear between the denture and the alveolar ridge, requiring replacement and remaking of new dentures.

10) Increased stress on abutment teeth. Part of the increased chewing function of removable dentures will fall on the gums, and part will fall on the remaining teeth, thus increasing the burden on these teeth.

The above is an introduction to the advantages and disadvantages of removable dentures. After understanding, we know that removable dentures are more convenient to remove and clean, and the production process is relatively fast and the price is relatively affordable. However, it also has a bad side, such as easily causing damage to the teeth on both sides and easy loosening. Therefore, when installing dentures, we must make choices based on the location of the damaged teeth.