The Difference Between Porcelain Teeth & Acrylic Teeth

Facing tooth loss can be an emotional and difficult process. But, a good pair of dentures can look and function just like natural teeth. Dentures can help you chew better, speak better and can improve your self esteem. They can be made out of many materials, the most common being porcelain or plastic (acrylic). A number of factors will affect which material will work best for you including looks, durability and comfort.

Cost

The costs of reconstructive dental work can rise quickly, so price is always an important factor to consider. For all intents and purposes, there are no major differences in the costs between acrylic and porcelain teeth. So, rely on other factors such as comfort, looks, and durability to weigh more on your decision.

Aesthetics

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Some people do think that porcelain makes prettier teeth than does acrylic, but in actuality acrylic teeth are virtually indistinguishable from porcelain. Though, aesthetically there is very little difference between the two, porcelain still sets the standard for looks according to DentureHelp.com. Rest assured that either can give you back that natural, healthy look.

Durability

Porcelain is a harder material than acrylic. For this reason, porcelain tends to be more wear resistant than acrylic. This means that they may need to be replaced less often. However, porcelain teeth can also chip and crack more easily than plastic. So, if you do choose porcelain teeth be sure to clean them over something soft or shock absorbent to prevent breaking them accidentally. The hardness of porcelain teeth can also be a problem if you have many natural teeth as the porcelain can rub against them and wear them away.

Comfort

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Dentures need to be comfortable as well as functional 1. Because porcelain teeth are more wear resistant, the denture bite may change less frequently than it would with acrylic teeth. But, porcelain teeth also transmit more of the force of the bite to the surrounding jaw bones than acrylic teeth do. So, if choosing porcelain teeth it's necessary to have the fit checked regularly. Acrylic teeth may be more comfortable for those with bone loss because they transmit less force. They are also less likely to click when talking or chewing.