Finding affordable dentures online is a daunting task. After all, it’s hard to be budget-conscious while still choosing high-quality appliances. Selecting the right dentures entails factoring in several elements including price, materials, coverage, and convenience.
Online dental appliance services are a great place to start if you’re looking for affordability and convenience. If you’re buying online it’s important to understand your denture options, particularly if this is your first experience using false teeth. This way, you’ll be in the best position to select dentures that will look great, feel comfortable, and last for years to come.
Why Choose Dentures?
Whether you require partial dentures or a full set, dentures are built to address a variety of oral health problems and to provide cosmetic improvements to your smile.
The benefits of dentures include:
- Covering up gaps in your smile.
- Improving your chewing capability for a smoother digestive process.
- Stabilizing remaining healthy teeth and protecting them from damage.
- Filling in sagging areas around your mouth or cheeks.
Once you’ve determined what issues your dentures need to address, then you can decide on the style that works best for you.
Different Denture Styles
Every person’s mouth is unique, so it’s crucial to find the perfect dentures for your needs. Your denture selection will be based on the structure of your mouth (e.g. if you have healthy teeth remaining) but will also be based on personal preference, convenience, and budget. Dentures are fabricated from a variety of materials including acrylic resin, and porcelain, but also come in softer, flexible materials well suited for comfort and wearability.
Here are a few common denture varieties to consider:
Removable and Fixed Dentures
As the name suggests, removable dentures are not permanent oral appliances. They are designed to be taken out, like a retainer or mouthguard, which also means they don’t require any oral alterations. Since they aren’t affixed permanently, removable dentures do run the risk of being dislodged while eating or talking. Additionally, because they sit directly over the gums, they may accumulate excess bacteria around the gums and other teeth. This means it’s important to clean removable dentures every single day and to replace them fairly frequently to keep them looking fresh.
In contrast, fixed dentures are attached to metal screws, which are permanently screwed into your jawbone. Otherwise known as dental implants, these types of dentures permanently alter your mouth and require a more invasive installation procedure. Although they are more intrusive than removable dentures, fixed dentures are usually a more “hands-off” solution in the long run since they don’t require the same attention to cleaning or readjustment.
Complete Dentures and Partial Dentures
Whether you need complete dentures or partial dentures is entirely based on the number of natural teeth you have in your mouth. Complete dentures act as full replacements for natural teeth and are probably what you picture when you think of dentures suspended in a glass of water. Complete dentures are made to be removed, so “the artificial teeth are fixed to a plate which sits snugly over your gums and – in the case of an upper denture – on the roof of your mouth” (dentaly.org). The plate is held in by suction and can be removed for sleeping or cleaning.
Partial dentures on the other hand are designed to fit around existing teeth. Almost like a retainer, they are designed to clip around neighboring teeth and fill in the holes in your smile: “Partials more often use metal in the framework for added strength and durability. The metal parts should be hidden on the roof of the mouth or behind the existing teeth, except for perhaps one or two metal clasps that fit around the existing teeth” (dentaly.org). Partial dentures are most often custom-made to fit the gaps in your mouth, and can also be removed for maintenance or before bed.
Flexible Dentures
Flexible dentures are made from a soft and pliable material that is easier on gums than traditional dentures made from acrylic. Flexible dentures may only be used as an alternative to partial dental appliances, and fit into the mouth like a nightguard or retainer. The incredibly durable material makes flexible dentures a great option for long-term wear, and they can be worn without the need for adhesive to keep them in place. The lightweight nature of the material also makes them a more subtle choice, as they don’t require metal clips to keep them in place.
Affordability
Selecting your dentures requires finding the perfect intersection between price and quality. You need to be budget-aware and not break the bank on your new dental appliance, but you want your dentures to be well-crafted and comfortable.
Ironically, cheap dentures often end up being more costly over a long period of time. According to Dentaly.org, although low-costs may be tempting, “you are likely to get the least comfortable and natural-looking option” (dentaly.org). Although they offer a cheap solution and quick results, because these dentures are not made from high-quality materials you may find yourself needing to replace them more often than more pricey options.
On the other end of the spectrum, some implant dentures are prohibitively expensive, ranging from $6,000-$30,000 for a set (dentaly.org). With most dental insurance only covering a fraction of that cost, it’s easy to see why finding a cheaper alternative is so appealing.
So What Should You Look For in Your Dentures?
Just like Goldilocks, you want to find dentures that are just right. Look at your insurance policy to see if you qualify for assistance with dentures, and if so, how much your policy will cover. On average, most insurance providers will cover “50 percent of the cost, with the customer paying the balance” (newmouth.com).
Dentures need to be comfortable, easy to clean, and durable. With correct care, dentures should last anywhere from 5-7 years. Bear in mind that your mouth naturally changes over time, so you might need to replace dentures sooner than expected to achieve a better fit.
Ordering dentures online is a fantastic solution for a low-stress experience with no visits to the dentist’s office. But not all online experiences are made equal. Make sure you read reviews of online services and research the materials used in manufacturing before making your purchase. Seek out services that use FDA-approved materials, and are favored by reputable sources.
Transforming Your Smile with Dental Lab Direct
At Dental Lab Direct, we’re committed to providing our customers with high-quality dental appliances at affordable prices. If you’re looking for top-notch partial dentures, our selection of flexible and acrylic appliances offers you versatile, easy-to-use options at unbeatable prices. At Dental Lab Direct we only use the highest quality, FDA-approved materials to craft our appliances, so you never have to worry about our commitment to quality. Didn’t get the right fit? Dental Lab Direct offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee because we know that when it comes to your smile, second best won’t cut it.
With Dental Lab Direct’s easy three-step process, it’s never been easier to order dentures online. Once you’ve received the impression kit, all you need to do is make impressions of your teeth in the comfort of your home (it only takes 15 minutes!) and send us back your completed kit for manufacturing. In just a couple of weeks, you’ll receive your custom-made dentures delivered right to your door.
It’s time to let your smile shine. At Dental Lab Direct you can find high-quality solutions that stand the test of time.