What is the best material for dentures? This is not so easy to answer. Because different aspects play a role.
The teeth have a major defect – dentures are necessary. The dental technician makes it individually for each patient. But what is the best material for dentures? This question is not so easy to answer. Different aspects play a role in the choice of denture material.
“The provision of dentures must always be individually tailored to the patient,” explains Prof. Dr. Dr. Franz-Xaver Reichl, Head of the Dental Toxicology Department at the Polyclinic for Dental Conservation and Periodontology at the University of Munich and Head of the International Advisory Center for the Compatibility of Dental Materials (BZVZ). “Because all materials have advantages and disadvantages. These need to be weighed up carefully in order to ultimately make the right decision.”
Material for dentures is an individual decision
It is recommended that the patient clarify the following points in a detailed consultation with the dentist before treatment:
– What type of dentures are suitable? Are there alternatives?
– Which materials can be used depending on the size and location of the defect?
– How long is their shelf life?
– Do you already have fillings or dentures? If yes, what material?
– Are there any illnesses? Is there a pregnancy?
– Has an allergy been proven?
– What aesthetic requirements exist?
– What is the time and cost planning?
Gold alloys – proven
Gold has been used in dentistry for centuries. However, pure gold is too soft for dentures. This is why dental technicians use gold alloys. The gold content is around 75 percent. In addition to gold, there are materials such as platinum, silver or copper – depending on the purpose and requirements. These protect against corrosion, i.e. against the decomposition of the material, and improve stability and processing. Dentures made from gold alloys are well tolerated and very durable. It has a similar hardness to tooth enamel. Therefore, it can withstand the enormous chewing pressure in the molar area and protects the opposing teeth. Gold alloys can be processed precisely and exactly replace the missing tooth structure. This means that caries rarely occurs at the transition between dentures and teeth. For aesthetic reasons, gold-colored dentures are usually veneered tooth-colored in the visible area of the teeth.
Non-precious metal alloys – price conscious
The alloys (cobalt-chrome or chromium-cobalt-molybdenum) have proven themselves to be useful for patients for decades. They are well tolerated, but more difficult to process. Non-precious metal alloys cover almost the entire spectrum of dental prostheses. As standard, they are also veneered tooth-colored in the area of the visible teeth. Non-precious metal alloys with molybdenum are suitable for the model casting technique for removable dentures. Dentures containing molybdenum are very elastic and therefore less prone to breakage. If you have to keep an eye on costs, you can get a price-conscious solution with a non-precious metal alloy.
Ceramic – aesthetically perfect
Ceramics specially developed by the dental industry are resistant and very well tolerated. They particularly score points with their very good aesthetics. Because the dental ceramics are tooth-colored and translucent. This allows the dental technician to model the dentures almost perfectly on the natural teeth. However, ceramic cannot be processed as finely as gold alloys, for example, and must not be less than a certain thickness. This must be taken into account when preparing the teeth. Ceramics are particularly suitable for people who have a proven intolerance to metals. Ceramic implants can be an alternative to titanium implants. However, it should be noted that ceramic dentures such as crowns or bridges are used with a special adhesive or cement. These can in turn release substances that can cause intolerance reactions in allergy sufferers.
Zirconium – high-performance dental material
The dental industry’s innovations in dental materials include high-performance ceramic materials such as zirconium oxide. It is well tolerated and extremely stable, so that the dental technician can use it to make crowns as well as entire bridges. Zirconium oxide is particularly suitable for aesthetically demanding restorations. Production is carried out using modern CAD/CAM technology. The white zirconium oxide framework is veneered with translucent ceramics. This makes the dentures look particularly natural. It is also possible to make the dentures exclusively from zirconium oxide.
Titanium – standard for implants
Titanium has been used for years, primarily in the production of implants and artificial tooth roots. Thanks to many years of experience, titanium implants are the standard. Titanium is resistant to corrosion and very stable. This enables the denture to be anchored particularly securely on the artificial tooth root. Titanium implants also bond particularly well with the jawbone. Along with ceramic, titanium is one of the most compatible materials in dentistry. Rejection reactions occur very rarely – least often with pure titanium. If you want to be on the safe side, you can do an allergy test beforehand. Once the implant is inserted into the jawbone, careful oral hygiene is necessary. This prevents inflammation around the implant (peri-implantitis).
Plastics – ideal for prostheses
The dental technician can make partial and complete dentures from tooth-colored plastics. Mucous membrane-colored denture plastics complete the metal frameworks for partial dentures and form the tooth-supporting basis of complete dentures. When veneering dentures such as crowns or bridges, plastic is the cheaper alternative to ceramic. However, it is less hard and therefore wears out more quickly. Discoloration can also occur over long periods of time. Due to its elasticity, plastic is primarily used for removable dentures and temporary restorations.
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