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Metal Based Denture vs Plastic - Which is Best for You?

A metal-based denture is one in which a portion of the denture body is made of a substantial metal casting rather than all plastic (acrylic resin). This procedure is usually done on the lower denture.

There are two types of metal-based dentures.

Standard metal-based denture

The metal base portion of the denture is in direct contact with underlying supporting tissues.

The base is fabricated from a special medical grade alloy that is hypoallergenic and very biocompatible with tissues. Generally, tissues in contact with this type of material are very healthy in appearance.

Modified metal-based denture

The metal base portion of the denture is not in direct contact with underlying supporting tissues. A soft or hard plastic liner may be interposed between the metal and supporting tissues.

A soft liner is generally preferred to hard plastic since it is more comfortable to wear; however, the soft liner usually should be replaced on an annual basis.

The Rationale for a Metal-Based Denture

Facilitates the avoidance of disruptive forces

Sometimes it is necessary to construct a very narrow denture in order to avoid any structures that would loosen the prosthesis, such as muscles flexing, and so forth. In addition, necessary surgical procedures to reposition a muscle attachment (called a frenum) can sometimes be avoided with these narrow type dentures.

However, such narrow dentures are weak and tend to break quite easily when fabricated just from plastic. A metal base provides the needed strength to design a very narrow denture in order to follow the confines of a patient's lower resorbed alveolar ridge (the remaining bony ridge). In addition, the metal base provides long-term dimensional stability and strength that is not enjoyed with an all-plastic denture base.

Provides a more natural feeling

The added weight of the metal base provides a more natural perception for many patients. Many patients prefer the additional weight on the lower jaw.

A private study measured the actual weight of cadaver jaw ridges and teeth that would normally be lost after the extraction of teeth and associated natural shrinkage of the jawbones. It was found that the weight of these tissues closely approximated the weight of a metal base. Therefore, it is likely that the more natural feeling perceived by persons wearing metal-based dentures is probably real rather than imagined.

The additional weight of a metal base also contributes to lower denture stability by causing the denture to settle down onto a jaw ridge.

Advantages of Metal-Based Dentures

• Very biocompatible and hypoallergenic with healthy-appearing supporting tissues
• May include a soft liner
• Can be relined easily
• Provides added strength for easily broken narrow dentures
• Facilitates fabrication of stable narrow-based dentures that are designed to avoid contact with disrupting muscle forces
• Sometimes facilitates the avoidance of surgical procedures to reposition frenum
• Patients perceive a more natural feeling from the added weight
• Weight may contribute to additional denture stability
• Dimensionally very stable when compared to all-plastic-based dentures during fabrication and over time

Disadvantages of Metal-Based Dentures

• Generally difficult to reline standard metal-based dentures; modified metal-based dentures (described earlier above) are easier to reline
• More costly to fabricate

by Joseph J. Massad, D.D.S.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Ouch: Denture Stomatitis

Lots of false teeth wearers know about it: stomatitis.

Stomatitis - "denture sore mouth" - is the most common symptom of yeast invasion, where tiny blisters develop on the gums. Other signs are patchy white spots in the mouth, a burning sensation, or a persistent unpleasant salty taste.

It's not all your fault. Your denture has something to do with it.

Prosthodontics with soft liners or those relined with a non-pressure process can harbor troublesome yeasts. On the other hand, pressure-processed dentures (the bubbles are pressed out under heat) are less porous and therefore less friendly to Candida infection.

Two brand-name processes that resist Candida are Ivoclar acrylic and Astron vinyl. If you have recurring denture stomatitis, ask your prosthodontist about one of these processes at your next reline.

Beat the yeast

If you're not due for new false teeth or a reline, you can take measures to control the growth of Candida at home. Cleaning dentures using the following recipe will help: Soak your dentures for two hours, four times a week in equal parts bleach, dish detergent and water. Follow this by a one-hour soak in half vinegar/half water.

This brew seems to work, but some false teeth materials can lose color - and any denture with metal parts other than gold will suffer.

Even better...The Journal of the American Dental Association recommends using a denture care solution containing benzoic acid that looks effective in killing yeasts with no damage to the prosthodontics. Commercially it's called Oral Safe (Great Lakes Ortho Laboratories, Tonawanda, NY), available through your dentist. There are remedies to "denture sore mouth." Because denture problems are a pain you just don't have to live with.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.