Believe it or not, dentures have been around since 700 BCE. The Etruscan people who lived in Etruria (now parts of Italy) would take teeth from another human or an animal to make dentures. They would insert the teeth into a band of gold with a metal pin, and fit it to any remaining teeth.
They were expensive to make and were thus an option that was only for the wealthy.
Ivory was used for a while, but it stained easily and after a while would start to smell. In this day and age, we use anything BUT human teeth. There are even metal dentures, but it hasn’t been that way for long.
Following the battle of Waterloo in 1815, so many teeth were removed that dentures which included human teeth started being commonly referred to as “Waterloo teeth.”
Thankfully, we no longer need to use human teeth to replace our own. Materials like metal are a viable option.
Keep reading to learn all about metal dentures.
How Do Metal Dentures Work?
There are different types of partial dentures. Most are made using either metal or plastic. If a person has any remaining teeth, dentures can easily be kept in place by using clasps that secure to those remaining teeth.
Cobalt chrome, which is the metal that is typically used, is much more efficient than plastic clips.
Cobalt chrome can perform well for many years. As a metal, its characteristics are the perfect balance of elasticity, stiffness, and deformation.
With plastic dentures, the clips can only be glued in. They tend to deform quickly and are not as strong or effective.
What Else Makes Them More Efficient?
Plastic dentures don’t offer a lot of support. When you bite down, the pressure will go down onto the dentures and then into your gums. Over time, this can cause a lot of damage to your gums.
Metal dentures off much more support, especially if there are remaining teeth in the mouth for them to work with.
They’re also much less bulky. That’s because the metal is stronger, so it can be made much smaller and thinner than plastic without compromising the strength.
Because metal dentures are smaller and thinner, they’ll be less plaque buildup, so it’s easier to maintain the teeth.
Plastic dentures cover the roof of your mouth. With metal dentures, that isn’t necessary, so food can be more easily enjoyed and will typically taste better.
The dentures don’t go as far back in your mouth as plastic ones, so you’ll have less chance of gagging. You’ll also be able to detect the consistency and temperature of your food better.
People that are allergic to certain metals may not be able to get metal dentures.
Metal Dentures Are More Expensive
Unfortunately, one of the downfalls of metal dentures is that they are more expensive. That being said, because they last longer and are much more efficient, it’s less likely that you’ll need a replacement in the long run.
Do you dread going to the dentist? Do you want to find a way to make sure that your kids or grandkids don’t dread it as well?
Keep browsing our blog to learn how you can have your kids not fear the dentist.