Everything You Should Know About Hybrid Dentures

A cross between a traditional denture and a fixed bridge, a hybrid denture is a permanent set of teeth that resemble and function just like your natural teeth. It is an excellent option for people with a significant loss of jaw bone or those who need the removal of multiple teeth. Since it is fixed into the jaw, it offers stability and good coverage. 

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Several materials are used to make dentures. However, plastic, specifically acrylic resin is one of the widely used materials for making dentures. You may also get porcelain hybrid dentures. While these last longer, acrylic resin dentures are sturdier because acrylic holds more tightly to the denture base. Acrylic resin is also lightweight and more affordable compared to porcelain. However, acrylic resin dentures wear faster. It can change the way teeth come in contact with one another. That is why you are most likely to get a recommendation for resin hybrid dentures in Bonita and other reputable dental practices. why acrylic resin dentures need replacement every five to eight years. Coming to hybrid dentures specifically, it has four types:

1. Titanium and acrylic dentures

These dentures are made of acrylic used in traditional dentures but have a titanium substructure affixed to its base. This titanium frame rests on implanted rods that are fused surgically into your jawbone. Then, acrylic dentures are attached to this frame. This type of hybrid denture makes biting and chewing easy, and feel more comfortable. You can also clean them easily, which adds to the convenience because these dentures may stain over time. 

2. Full zirconia hybrid dentures

One of the most attractive and durable dental restorations, hybrid zirconia dental implants possess remarkable strength and offer excellent biting and chewing ability equivalent to that of your natural teeth. In addition, these are quite long-lasting and are least likely to chip.

3. Porcelain fused to metal hybrid dentures

These are perhaps the most expensive hybrid dentures that look and feel like natural teeth. However, they are likely to chip after the usage for a significant period. 

4. Smart Composite hybrid denture

A combination of milled composite materials, smart composite hybrid dentures are strong, durable, and made of metal glued to the resilient hybrid composite. You can get them polished and repaired in your mouth. These are the most lightweight dentures and are less likely to chip. 

What is the difference between hybrid and removable dentures?

1. Unlike a removable denture, a hybrid denture requires no adhesive. If all or several teeth are missing, dentists place four or more implant posts throughout the dental arch to support the denture.
2. Hybrid dentures are fixed and eliminate the need for taking them out every day. It makes them a convenient option compared to removable dentures. 
3. Hybrid dentures are immovable and do not shift out of place like removable dentures. This stability and firmness prevent soreness that develops from removable dentures moving in your mouth.
4. The movement also creates tiny spaces wherein food particles get trapped and cause bacterial growth leading to decay. However, hybrid dentures do not cause such issues and help maintain dental health and hygiene. 
5. Removable dentures are bulkier, hence uncomfortable. Hybrid dentures are not only comfortable, but the open palate at the top makes it easier to taste and enjoy foods of different flavors. 

 What are the advantages of hybrid dentures?

1. Easy to clean

You need to take traditional dentures out to clean them every day. Traditional dentures move around if you try cleaning them in your mouth. It makes it impossible to clean your mouth thoroughly. Alternatively, a hybrid denture is a permanent fitting in your mouth, which makes proper cleaning easier. You can brush and floss a hybrid denture the same way you would your natural teeth.

2. More comfortable

Hybrid dentures are often more comfortable than conventional dentures. While traditional dentures move quite a bit, hybrid dentures are held securely into the jaw and cannot move. Some people consider using more adhesive to keep traditional dentures in place, but they can continue to move even then. Imagine something shifting in your mouth on and off, this is how wearing traditional dentures feel like. This movement can also make food get stuck between the denture and the gum, an issue denture wearers often face. Hybrid dentures take such worries away. As there is no gap in hybrid dentures, neither the food gets trapped nor it is difficult to chew or speak. Besides, it is easier to get used to living with hybrid dentures. Since these are fused into your jaw bone, they feel like natural teeth. You may find a traditional denture harder to get used to even if you have been wearing them for a long time.

3. These are affordable 

Hybrid dentures are a great alternative to full-mouth dental implants, which are cost-prohibitive for many patients. Hybrid dentures help keep the cost of restoration lower while providing the same support to the jawbone and the teeth as implants do.

What are the drawbacks of hybrid dentures?

Here are a few disadvantages of hybrid dentures.

1. There is a flipside to the hybrid denture being a permanent tooth restoration solution. Whether to fix hybrid dentures or to extract a decayed tooth when you are wearing hybrid dentures, it always requires surgery. 
2. Fixing hybrid dentures is not a one-time process. First, your oral surgeon removes teeth that are decayed or healthy but need removal to place hybrid dentures. Then, they screw in the implants to attach hybrid dentures firmly to your mouth. The process takes a few months and the period in between may not be too comfortable. 
3. Broken, chipped, or cracked dentures need immediate repair. If left unrepaired, it leads to plaque build-up and decay because of food particles entering through cracks and accumulating under the denture. 
4. Hybrid dentures are not always inexpensive. Their cost depends on the type of denture you choose. Besides, whether your insurance provider covers hybrid dentures also matters. Without insurance, these can be costly.
5. Hybrid dentures are irremovable. You cannot take these out to clean separately. So, the effectiveness of your oral hygiene routine depends on how well you brush and floss regularly. 

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