Dentures: Types (Partial and Complete), Cost, Cleaning

Dentures: Types, Cost, and Cleaning

Check out this answer from Consensus:

The choice between partial and complete dentures depends on the patient’s dental condition, with partial dentures offering aesthetic and comfort advantages. The cost of dentures can vary significantly based on the type and fabrication method, with simplified methods providing cost savings. Effective cleaning is essential for maintaining denture hygiene, with chemical and mechanical methods both playing important roles in biofilm management.

Types of Dentures

Partial Dentures Partial dentures are designed for individuals who have some natural teeth remaining. They can be made from various materials, including thermoplastic resin and metal clasps. A study comparing thermoplastic resin removable partial dentures (TR-RPDs) with conventional metal clasp-retained removable partial dentures (MC-RPDs) found that patients reported higher satisfaction and better oral appearance with TR-RPDs. These dentures also caused less mucosal pain and food impaction compared to MC-RPDs, although both types showed similar results in terms of chewing ability, denture stability, and ease of cleaning2.

Complete Dentures Complete dentures are used when all teeth are missing. They can be fabricated using different methods, such as conventional or simplified protocols. A study on the cost of complete denture fabrication found that the simplified method was less costly than the conventional method, reducing the median direct cost by 34.9%5. Additionally, complete dentures can be enhanced with implants, such as mandibular two-implant overdentures, which provide better stability but at a higher cost compared to conventional dentures9.

Cost of Dentures

The cost of dentures varies depending on the type and fabrication method. For instance, the direct cost of mandibular two-implant overdentures is significantly higher than that of conventional dentures, with a cost ratio of 2.4 times more for the implant-supported option9. In terms of fabrication methods, the simplified method for complete dentures is more cost-effective than the conventional method, offering a lower total cost10.

Cleaning of Dentures

Proper cleaning of dentures is crucial to prevent biofilm accumulation and potential infections. Various cleaning methods have been studied for their effectiveness:

• Chemical Cleaners: Immersion in solutions like 1% sodium hypochlorite or 2% chlorhexidine has been shown to significantly reduce denture biofilm and microbial load1. Effervescent tablets are also effective in reducing biofilm when used in combination with ultrasonic cleaning8. 
• Mechanical Cleaning: Brushing and ultrasonic cleaning are common methods. Ultrasonic cleaning combined with a peroxide-based cleanser solution has been found to be particularly effective in reducing microorganisms on dentures6. 
• Daily vs. Intermittent Cleaning: Daily cleaning regimens are superior to intermittent cleaning in reducing microbial numbers and altering the composition of denture plaque biofilm7.