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Dentures are prosthetic devices that act as a replacement for missing natural teeth. They are often made using materials such as metal, porcelain or acrylic resin.
A beautiful set of teeth can make a positive first impression. If you are missing some teeth, dentures may be the solution for you.
There are several benefits of wearing dentures, including
Dentures are available in many types, all of which can be classified into 3 main categories: removable, permanent and temporary.
Lasts for: 3 – 5 years
Conventional dentures are sets of artificial teeth and gums that are custom made to fit a patient’s mouth nicely. They come in full or partial options, depending on the number of teeth that the patient is missing.
These removable devices are typically made of either acrylic or porcelain and held together by an acrylic or metal base.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Full dentures, otherwise known as complete dentures, have both the upper and lower sets in full and are hence suitable for those who are missing all of their teeth.
They rest nicely on the gum tissue and the suction keeps them in place while you speak and chew.
For patients who are missing only some of their teeth, upper and/or lower partial dentures can be made to fill any gaps in your smile.
Similar to full dentures, partial ones can improve your confidence when worn and can be removed when required.
Lasts for: 5 – 8 years
Flexible dentures, as the name suggests, is a type of partial denture that is softer and more comfortable. This is achieved by using a nylon (or other thin thermoplastics) material as compared to acrylic used in regular dentures which is thicker and stiffer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Lasts for: 10 – 15 years
Implant-supported dentures (also known as snap on dentures) are fitted permanently through surgery. For this, a few dental implants are used to hold the denture in place.
The entire process can take up to 6 months as the bone needs time to grow around the implants before they become securely fitted. This is a great option for those who have difficulty adapting to conventional dentures.
| Pros | Cons |
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To be worn for: Maximum 2 – 3 months
Immediate dentures are temporarily provided to patients who have just extracted their teeth, while waiting for their conventional or permanent dentures.
This helps to protect your gum tissue during the healing process after the extraction. As these are temporary devices, they are not custom fitted and may not fit nicely.
If you need to get dentures done, here is an overview of the process from start to finish at i.Dental.
The first step is to book a consultation with our dentist. During the appointment, we will assess your oral health and suitability for dentures.
We will alert you of any oral health concerns and advise on how to treat or work around them.
Once your suitability is determined, we will take impressions of your teeth and gums to be used for the fabrication of the dentures.
We may take up to 2 sets of impressions, each taking about 30 minutes, to ensure that we can achieve a tailored fit for you.
Next, our dentist will share the different types and materials of dentures that you can choose from. This will be dependent on your lifestyle and preferences.
Once you have made your choice, it will take about 1 to 5 weeks for the dentures to be fabricated.
Once your dentures arrive, we will contact you to schedule a fitting session with your dentist.
This is when you can try wearing the custom made dentures and adjustments can be done to ensure that it fits nicely and comfortably before you head home.
Further adjustments can be done during subsequent appointments if required.
On average, dentures in Singapore can range from $500 to $900 per full arch. The final price is dependent on factors such as the type, material and whether it is a full or partial denture.
At i.Dental, we offer acrylic full and partial dentures. Consultation fees are charged at $21.60 to $54. All prices are inclusive of GST.
Full Dentures (Acrylic)
Partial Dentures (Acrylic)
Note that MediSave is only claimable for dental treatments that involve surgery due to medical reasons. Hence, you will not be able to claim MediSave for dentures, with the possible exception of implant-supported dentures.
Patients with CHAS, Merdeka Generation (MG) and Pioneer Generation (PG) cards will be entitled to the following subsidies for dentures.
| Types of Treatments Available for Subsidy | CHAS Orange Subsidy | CHAS Blue Subsidy | Merdeka Generation (MG) Subsidy | Pioneer Generation (PG) Subsidy | Claim Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentures (partial) - less than 6 teeth | $65.50 | $98 | $103 | $108 | Up to 1 upper and 1 lower denture per 3 calendar years* |
| Dentures (partial) - 6 or more teethc | $140 | $210 | $215 | $220 | |
| Dentures (full) | $170.50 | $256.50 | $261.50 | $266.50 |
It is normal to feel strange when you first wear your dentures. To help you get used to it, here are some do’s and don’ts to adhere to, so you can easily adapt within a few weeks.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
Adopting these habits when caring for your dentures can help to maintain its quality longer and prolong its lifespan.
After eating, remove your dentures and rinse them with water to remove any food debris or loose particles.
To prevent them from being damaged if you drop them, fill the sink with water or place a towel in it to cushion the impact.
To prevent permanent stains and remove plaque, dentures need to be brushed every day using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a brush designed specifically for cleaning them.
Standard toothpaste should not be used because they are abrasive and can cause scratches. Instead, use dental cleaners like in denture soaking tablets, hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid.
Place your dentures in a mild denture-soaking solution or in the water when not worn; this prevents them from drying out and losing their shape.
Note that dentures with metal attachments might get tarnished if placed in a soaking solution. Consult your dentist about the best way to care for your specific denture.
Avoid placing your dentures in hot water as this may cause them to warp.
Avoid bending them or damaging the plastic or clasps while cleaning.
Bleach products or abrasive cleaning tools such as stiff toothbrushes should not be used as well.
Aside from taking care of your dentures, it is important to keep up with good oral hygiene habits.
After removing your dentures, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your natural teeth and clean your tongue, cheeks and palate. Any leftover denture adhesive should be removed too.
Visiting your dentist regularly allows you to have your dentures checked to ensure that it fits properly.
It also allows you to get them professionally cleaned and have your dentist check on your oral health.
You can take comfort in knowing that you will be attended to by a team of qualified dentists who are dedicated to understanding and catering to your needs.
Patients are often concerned about the fit of their dentures and whether it will cause them any pain when they eat.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, we can ensure that your dentures will be properly fitted for maximum comfort and minimal adjustments.
Immediate partial dentures can be fabricated in about 1 to 2 weeks, while immediate full dentures will take longer.
For conventional dentures, it will take about 1 to 5 weeks from the consultation to the time the dentures are issued to the patient.
Dentures last for about 3 to 5 years. During this period, your dentures may need to be replaced or relined due to wear and tear. Coupled with changing bone shape, your dentures may loosen or irritate your gums.
As such, annual visits to the dentist are recommended.
New dentures may feel uncomfortable until you get used to them. Patients usually take about a few weeks to get accustomed. Until then, experiencing slight discomfort or minor soreness is normal.
If the pain or discomfort persists, contact your dentist to have them adjusted.
In such cases, patients have 2 choices:
Our dentists will take a mould of your tooth, retain your current dentures and send them to the lab to replace the lost tooth. During this period, you will not have any dentures for about 7 working days while the lost tooth is being fabricated.
You can also consider replacing the entire denture. In this case, you can bring home your current dentures to wear while waiting for the new one to be fabricated.
