Research conducted across 19 countries found 19% of the population wear dentures. That's almost one in five.
While the need for dentures and other tooth appliances has declined, thanks to better access to fluoride and more widespread dental care, there are still plenty of people who wear dentures today. In fact, as many as one in four seniors have at least one denture.
There are other restorative dentistry treatments available for eligible patients, such as dental implants and dental crowns. Those who do not qualify for those procedures may also be getting dentures. For this reason, the average age of denture-wearing patients is around 45 years old.
The idea that everyone ends up with dentures when they get older is a misconception. Not everyone loses their natural teeth. In fact, if you take good care of your teeth, they should last your entire life. If you want to lower your chances of needing dentures later in life, you need to practice proper oral hygiene now.
You might think that dentures are for other people, but they're more prevalent than you realize. If you practice excellent oral hygiene, and see your dentist regularly, you might be able to avoid wearing dentures, but if you have a history of tooth problems, they may be an inevitable part of your future.
Disadvantages of Dentures
Many patients find the cleaning of cups and adhesives undesirable because they are messy and expensive. Dentures are not worn overnight. Sometimes dentures slip around making it difficult to speak and eat. Certain foods cannot be eaten with dentures.
There is nothing better than real, natural teeth – including dentures. When fitted properly, dentures can be a cost-effective tooth replacement, but they are not a one-time permanent solution. Dentures can shift, lead to bone loss, impact chewing and speech, and be uncomfortable at times.
Academy Award-winning actor and director Ben Affleck wore a full set of dentures at one point in his career. Eventually, he switched to crowns or implants.
Missing teeth
Missing teeth is one of the most common reasons people use dentures. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, there are 156 million people in the United States who are missing one or more teeth.
Dentures are completely removable, while other missing tooth solutions are permanent. Many seniors like the idea of being able to put in and remove their dentures whenever they want. The ability to remove their tooth replacement option also makes it easier to clean and take care of them.
Some people worry that dentures will make them look older. Thankfully, this is far from the truth. Not only are today's dentures incredibly realistic looking, but if you pair them with dental implants, you'll end up with a smile that will look and feel completely natural.
Speaking with Dentures: Speech difficulties are common in new denture wearers, and it can be embarrassing. You may find it hard to pronounce certain words. Practicing in private by reading aloud in front of a mirror can help.
In 2005, a Guinness World Record for being the youngest person ever to wear a full set of dentures was taken by a 3-year-old Daniel Sanchez-Ruiz of the United Kingdom. Shocking, isn't it?
A total of 37.9% of the patients were very satisfied regarding speaking with their implant overdentures vs. 17.2% with conventional dentures. Furthermore, 41.4% were very comfortable with their implant overdentures vs. 5.2% were very comfortable using conventional dentures.
Chewing or Speaking Difficulty
It takes practice to eat and converse with dentures. Dentures are less stable and prone to fall out of position since there isn't much gum or bone underneath to resist movement. In fact, chewing meals with new dentures can take up to 5 times longer.
Dentures are Not Inevitable for Everyone
However, although getting dentures is actually quite common, not everyone will have to have them. If your teeth last until the end of your life, there is no reason to get dentures. Of course, a major part of having your teeth last that long involves a good oral hygiene routine.
Nearly half [47%] of those 65 years and over, who still had some of their own natural teeth, wore dentures. Women fared slightly worse than men having an endentulism (no teeth) rate of 25% to men's 17%, while those living in country and rural Australia reported being uncomfortable with their dental appearance.
According to our research, the cost of dentures in Australia is estimated to be anywhere between $2,500 to $5,500 in the year 2023. This considerable difference in pricing for a few reasons that we dive into later.
Both immediate and conventional dentures may involve subsequent visits to get the perfect fit. Immediate dentures can be manufactured and inserted on the same day as your extractions. Conventional dentures typically take between two to three weeks to produce.
In her initial sketch of Kidman's face, Watanabe drew a gap between her front teeth because “it just felt right.” Film veteran Art Sakamoto, who's fashioned dentures for a who's who of Hollywood actors, made Kidman's prosthetic.
Often named the best smile in Hollywood, Julia Roberts' famous smile is partly thanks to a skilled cosmetic dentist. Porcelain veneers have been used to straighten and lengthen her teeth.
English actress and global activist Emma Watson wore dentures as a child while on the set of Harry Potter. Since she had newly lost a few baby teeth, the producers thought it best to have her wear artificial teeth to preserve continuity.
Because dentures rest on that gum ridge and are customized to fit its shape and size, dentures loosen as this happens, and for many patients, end up feeling too big for their mouths. What are your options if this has happened to you?
There is no limit to the number of teeth you can have extracted at once. While having multiple teeth extracted during the same procedure is rare, it is sometimes the only option for patients with severe tooth decay.
Once you have all of your teeth pulled, your dentist will place the dentures and provide you with instructions on what you need to do while your mouth gets used to their shape.