If you search for "denture teeth" on the internet, you are likely to find a wide range of options at very different prices. But what should you choose? Depending on the type of work, various criteria can help you choose a tooth. You can find out what these are and how they can be evaluated in the following article.
1| The composition
Depending on the clinical case, it is important to select a tooth that is suitable for the treatment in question. Companies that offer quality products generally also have different tooth lines. Behind these different tooth lines is a research department that carries out in vitro and in vivo tests. The aim is always to offer a product that is suitable for the specific case. Teeth made of composite, cross-linked or double cross-linked PMMA resin or PMMA resin are most frequently offered. It should be noted that each material has a different degree of elasticity and flexural strength. This data must be taken into account in particular for implant-supported work or work where a natural tooth acts as an antagonist.
The quality of the composition is also responsible for how quickly or slowly the teeth wear out and how resistant they are to discoloration and fading. It is important to focus on quality here, because a patient who invests in the purchase of a dental prosthesis cannot imagine having to replace it in a year's time.
2| The morphology
There are different morphologies of prefabricated teeth. They are classified according to the angle formed by their cusps, such as anatomical teeth >30°, semi-anatomical teeth <30° and non-anatomical teeth = 0°, but also according to the set-up philosophy for which they are intended, e.g. Gerber, lingualized, Sears, TiF set-up. Occlusion class II and III cases require specific occlusal modification by selective grinding in the laboratory.
Here is an example: I fabricated a denture for a young person to replace teeth 44,45,46. The antagonistic teeth were natural and well cusped, so I could consider choosing an anatomical tooth.
The lower alveolar ridge had lost height, so I chose a semi-cusped tooth. To ensure optimal retention of the lower denture, I opted for a lingualized or Gerber set-up. (If you would like to learn more about set-up concepts, visit our training courses. You can find more information on this website).
3| The price
This is often "THE" topic of discussion. But wrongly so, because what really matters is that the patient gets a good quality product that lasts a long time and is tailored to their own needs.
Have you found the answers to your questions? If you would like to find out more in practice, why not attend a training course at the Swiss School of Prosthetics?
A contribution from Sabine von Sinner
