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What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are appliances constructed by a dentist to replace one or more missing teeth. The type of denture determines the material used for its construction.

  1. Full Dentures

    • Full dentures, processed for edentulous patients (no existing teeth), are constructed of synthetic plastic resins. The teeth attached to the dentures can be made of plastic resins or porcelain for a more natural appearance.

    Conventional Partial Dentures

    • The framework on conventional partial dentures is made of lightweight metal alloys covered in part by gum-colored acrylic for aesthetic purposes. The teeth are made of plastic resins or porcelain.

    Non-metal Acrylic Partial Dentures

    • One type of non-metal partial denture is constructed of plastic resins with teeth preferably made of the same material. However, it is also possible to use porcelain teeth.

    Non-metal Flexite Dentures

    • Flexite dentures, which are better quality non-metal dentures, are made of a flexible nylon base, which makes them more comfortable than metal or hard acrylic. The teeth on Flexite dentures are made of plastic resins or porcelain.

    Fixed Partial Dentures

    • Also referred to as crown and bridge, fixed partial dentures are permanently cemented in the mouth. The crowns and pontics---the false teeth used to replace a missing tooth or teeth---are made of acrylic or ceramic with a metal base or made entirely of acrylic.

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