Examining the hidden costs of cheap dentures revealed a raft of issues you would do well to heed if you’re in the market for dentures. If you are considering getting removable dentures, it pays to take a long-term view. Not only are there financial expenses but also potentially long-lasting health and welfare consequences and personal time outlays for you to consider. That bargain denture may turn out to be not so cheap after all, although advances in dental technology look promising for future quality and affordable dentures. In this article we present the case for quality dentures over cheap dentures and why you should research your denture purchase carefully from many perspectives before making a decision.
Table of contents
Weighing up the costs
Denture prices: What you need to know
A short-sighted approach to buying dentures might find you only focusing on the financial outlay. Much the same way you might consider financial cost when buying a washing machine or fridge where you prioritise price and performance. This can especially be the case if you have not had a denture before. You may recall the old saying ‘we don’t know what we don’t know’. Unless we have had the experience of wearing a denture, we don’t realise what is important.
Long term value of quality dentures
Dentures are much more than a financial outlay or even an exercise in functionality. Dentures represent an investment in you - in your comfort, your appearance, and your ability to enjoy life. You may only fully appreciate this fact after your expectations aren’t met. When you are experiencing the painful consequences of a cheap denture, or the devastating personal impact the loss of confidence a cheap denture can impose. Or when you are spending unnecessary money and time on appointments to rectify or replace poorly fitting or broken dentures, or to address oral injuries inflicted by ill-fitting dentures. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Denture costs over time
Understanding real denture expenses
Getting back to that fridge and washing machine analogy – we all know cheap often equates to poor performance and more likelihood of breakdown. Cheap items are generally less durable. Made with lesser quality parts they wear out quicker or breakdown under pressure of use.
Hidden costs of cheap dentures
By the time you do the sums on repairs and inconvenience of time spent out of action, it’s often the case you would have been better off buying the more expensive, better-quality item. The same can be said for dentures. When you factor in the cost of more frequent replacements and repairs against the savings made, that cheap denture begins to look less appealing.
Denture adjustment and maintenance costs
And then there is the extra time out of your life to attend appointments – the stress and inconvenience this imposes. Cheaper dentures do not have the array of customisation options which afford a better fit and level of comfort offered by better-quality dentures. Depending on your unique oral structure, a standard denture may not suit. You may find you need to have more frequent adjustments to restore comfort.
Health and comfort considerations
Daily life with quality dentures
A good quality denture, while not quite the same as natural teeth, looks natural, allowing you to have a social life, be confident in your appearance, able to enjoy your food, laugh, talk and sing with ease.
Preventing denture problems
With a poorly fitting denture some of these things that we take for granted may be jeopardised, with greater likelihood of discomfort, irritation and gum damage leading to possible infection. You may find your enjoyment in eating certain foods diminishes resulting in nutritional challenges. Your quality of life is challenged. In worst case scenarios, poorly fitting dentures can cause ongoing health issues and affect your self-confidence.
Types of dentures: Materials and prices
Premium denture materials explained
Perhaps you have chosen the best quality denture available. The materials used in your premium denture will likely be less intrusive in your mouth, more robust, more natural looking than a standard budget denture. While all materials used in dental products must adhere to stringent Australian health safety standards, budget products are cheap for a reason.
Denture materials comparison
Dentures are constructed from a range of materials including acrylic, flexible polyamide microcrystalline, chrome-cobalt and also a hybrid which combines two types of material. The type of material used to craft a denture dictates the manner and time it takes to make them. The materials also affect the aesthetic properties, the longevity and how robust the denture will be. Higher quality materials allow for more customisation and more precision fitting. They may require more advanced manufacturing equipment and techniques which adds to their expense.
Choosing a denture professional
Finding the best denture clinic
A premium denture is especially important if you have oral structures or issues outside the norm. But so is the expertise to make and fit them. Premium dentures allow for greater customisation, precision measurements and assistance after the denture has been fitted by way of follow up care and adjustments.
Australian vs overseass denture options
Only you can decide whether paying more for an experienced prosthetist is worth the long-term gains. By choosing a well-established and esteemed denture clinic you can be assured they are invested in your success – their reputation depends on it. So, while a denture technician operating from a backyard workshop or an overseas holiday incorporating a trip to a denture clinic in a developing country may provide you with a cheaper denture you must ask yourself at what cost?
In the case of the overseas option, there is no Australian regulatory oversight of product or materials. If something needs adjusting or breaks you must then find an Australian denture clinic who will take on the repairs. Many are reluctant to do so because they haven’t made the original denture, are not happy working with inferior materials and cannot guarantee the outcome.
Finding denture quality: How to go about it
Finding a qualified denture specialist
In your quest for a quality denture, you must have expert advice. So where to find it? Not all professionals are equal. That doesn’t mean they are not qualified, since health professionals in Australia are subject to strict regulation and must be registered by relevant government bodies. However, some professionals in the health fields are better qualified than others. They have more experience and see their profession as a calling rather than just a means for making a living.
Researching denture providers
Finding the right dental prosthetist and denture clinic for you takes a little time but it will be worth it. Ask around among family, friends and colleagues for recommendations. Look up unpaid online reviews. Join Facebook groups and ask for recommendations for the best prosthetist in your area. Word of mouth is invaluable. Your dentist may also direct you to a good denture clinic.
Consultation and communication
Once you have found a prosthetist you feel comfortable with, one with whom you can communicate well, they will provide you with an array of options for your denture, taking into account your unique clinical needs, your budget and your aesthetic expectations. Good communication is essential because you will have lots of questions and you want to feel comfortable asking them. You cannot expect to understand the technical aspects of different types of dentures and the materials they’re made of that’s why having a health professional you can trust; one you have a rapport with is vital. They will guide you through the options, explaining the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed choice.
What if you can’t afford a more expensive/quality denture?
Payment plans and financial solutions
Having done your research and looked at your budget you may be convinced a quality denture stacks up better than a budget one, but you simply can’t come up with the necessary funds immediately, even if in the long term it will be cheaper. In that case, what are your options?
See here for more comprehensive information on your payment options.
A final word: Investing in quality dentures
Most of us don’t have to be convinced that quality products are a better option than cheaper ones. Perhaps after reading this article, you will be more aware of the potential pitfalls awaiting if you let finances alone dictate your choice. You will also be aware of the important hidden benefits in your personal life of choosing quality dentures over cheap. The joy of looking good, being able to enjoy your life without constant, costly and time-consuming appointments to rectify and repair your dentures, or the health consequences of poor fit and breakages. Since the sticking point almost always comes back to affordability, we also provide links to managing the cost of better-quality dentures.
Disclaimer – Always consult your oral health professional for expert advice about your unique personal situation. The information given here is of a general nature and for the purpose of education only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your oral health specialist
Northern Rivers Denture Clinic is located in the heart of Tweed Heads, southern Gold Coast. Finally have the smile you deserve with handcrafted, quality dentures.
