The right set of dentures has the power to transform your smile. Dentures are oral appliances designed to replace missing teeth and provide structural support to the mouth and jaw. Typically made from acrylic, porcelain, or nylon thermoplastic materials, modern dentures are designed to fit seamlessly into your mouth and match existing teeth for a hyper-natural look.
But well-crafted dentures often come at a steep price. Finding affordable customized dentures leaves many people looking for alternative options. Although DIY denture kits might be more budget-friendly, homemade dentures often lead to complications down the road. Here’s everything you need to know about home denture kits.
Why Do People Choose DIY Dentures?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to stay indoors and prompted an increase in convenient at-home medical services. Since a variety of services are still available remotely, patients are accustomed to seeking out DIY options for treatment rather than visiting the doctor’s office. Many people choose home denture kits since they are more convenient in the short term than visiting the dentist’s office.
Additionally, DIY denture kits are often much less expensive than acquiring a custom appliance through your dentist. Since many people don’t have dental insurance that covers the cost of dentures, budget-friendly DIY options are more appealing.
What are the Drawbacks of Home Denture Kits?
Although they may seem convenient and cost-effective, DIY denture kits are not a recommended long-term solution. From aesthetic issues to poor-quality materials, to potentially harmful side-effects, using DIY dentures may lead to a host of unforeseen consequences.
Artificial Appearance – The aim of well-designed dentures is to provide realistic tooth replacements that are indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Unfortunately, due to poor-quality materials and at-home fabrication, homemade dentures tend to be a conspicuous addition to your smile.
Because they aren’t manufactured using professional-grade materials or techniques, it’s difficult to adjust the fit, color, and texture of the materials to match your teeth and gums. Since everyone has a unique gum-to-teeth ratio, DIY dentures may look odd next to natural teeth or out of balance in the mouth.
Low-Quality Materials – Well-crafted dentures should last for years and fit snugly into your mouth. Most at-home denture kits utilize cheaper, flimsier materials, resulting in issues with fit, comfort, and durability. Homemade dentures show signs of wear more quickly than professionally manufactured appliances, and many people experience allergic reactions to low-quality materials. Non-FDA-approved materials may cause gum irritation, which can develop into an infection if left untreated.
Compromised Functionality – Although most people only think of dentures as tooth replacement options, dentures need to align with your jaw as well as your teeth to provide structure and support. Ill-fitting dentures often lead to issues with chewing, talking, and pain in the jaw and neck. Since homemade dentures aren’t designed to align with your unique jaw structure, they are more likely to cause structural problems and impair overall functionality.
Expensive Treatments – Even the cheapest at-home dentures can rack up a hefty bill at the end of the day. Complications from wearing bad-quality dentures such as infections, sores, bone loss, and damage to neighboring teeth may all require expensive treatments from your dentist. Ensuring you have a high-quality appliance will save you money in the long run.
What About Home Repair Kits?
Even the most well-made dentures crack or break after years of continued use. Although you may have acquired your dentures from the dentist, it can feel like a drag to bring them in for a minor repair. But badly repaired dentures are just as bad for your mouth as homemade ones.
Toxic Glue – If you’re reaching for the super glue—stop! Adhesives like super glue are NOT made to be put in the mouth, even when dry, and should not be used for denture repair. Toxic chemicals found in many types of glue can absorb into your body if used on oral appliances. Plus, superglue is not strong enough to withstand the continued pressure placed on teeth while eating.
Irreversible Alterations – If homemade repairs are botched or sloppy, they can permanently alter your appliance, making it impossible for your dentist to repair the damage. If your appliance breaks, it’s best to visit the dentist ASAP instead of doing a poor repair job at home.
Bacteria-Filled Cracks – Some denture damage is so minuscule that an average patient wouldn’t even notice any problems. But tiny cracks in dentures may lead to bacteria buildup over time, resulting in cavities, bad breath, and even infections. A dentist will be able to identify and fill these flaws before they become an ongoing problem.
What is a Better Alternative?
Instead of choosing an at-home denture kit, there are several alternatives to consider. The most obvious alternative is to acquire your dentures through your dentist or prosthodontist. This route is perhaps the most expensive but is guaranteed to give you high-quality results.
Another way to get quality dentures is through an online denture manufacturing service. Online services offer the perfect combination of customer-friendly prices and top-notch products. Instead of paying a premium at the dentist’s office, you can order a high-class, custom device through an online service.
At-Home Convenience – Most online denture manufacturers send you a dental impression kit to complete in the comfort of your own home. This eliminates the need to visit the dentist in order to get accurate and well-fitted dentures.
Quality Appliances – Look for online services that use high-quality materials to make dentures and other oral appliances. Unlike dentures made with at-home kits, professionally manufactured dentures are fabricated by skilled professionals using quality materials. These appliances are built to last. Plus, most online services provide a variety of color options, so your dentures blend in perfectly with your natural smile.
Affordable – Online services offer a unique balance of convenience, quality, and affordability. It’s difficult to find quality dentures at affordable prices, and online services offer budget-friendly price points that are much more reasonable than a typical trip to the dentist’s office. Plus, many online services offer adjustments to ensure your dentures fit properly.
Finding Your Quality Dentures with Dental Lab Direct
Dental Lab Direct is an online dental appliance manufacturer providing high-quality retainers, mouth guards, and dentures delivered to your home. At Dental Lab Direct we only use FDA-approved materials, ensuring that all our appliances are up to the highest standards in comfort and safety.
Our three-step ordering process makes getting your new appliances intuitive and hassle-free!
- Step One: Request a Dental Lab Direct impression kit from our website and have it shipped to your home.
- Step Two: Complete the impressions of your teeth in 15 minutes or less in the comfort of your own home. Our kits come with easy-to-follow instructions and customer support is only a phone call away.
- Step Three: Mail the completed impression kit back to us using the prepaid USPS shipping label provided. Once we receive your impression kit, you can expect your custom-made dental appliance to be delivered to your door in 2-3 weeks.
Didn’t get the right fit? Our 30-day satisfaction guarantee ensures that your appliance is right for you. Just send it back to us and we’ll make the necessary adjustments.
It’s time to show off a confident smile. Contact Dental Lab Direct today to get started.
