New Types of Dentures: 6 Options Worth Knowing About

This article is general information. The right option for you depends on an assessment of your mouth.

If your last dentures were made 10 or 20 years ago, a lot has changed. Newer dentures can fit better, take fewer appointments, stay put without adhesive, and look far more natural than the bulky plates many people remember.

Here are the new types of dentures worth knowing about, who each one suits, and what to ask at your consultation. We are the team at Kasper Denture Clinic, and we make every type below in our own lab in Vernon.

1. Digital dentures

Digital dentures are designed on a computer instead of being shaped entirely by hand. The design can be saved, adjusted and reused, which makes the fit more consistent and makes a spare or replacement much easier.

The biggest change for patients is time. Traditional dentures often take 6 or 7 appointments, while digital dentures usually take about 3. For seniors who rely on rides, or anyone who works, that difference matters.

2. Lower suction dentures

A lower denture is the one most likely to float and slip, because it has a small ridge to sit on and your tongue moves around it all day. A lower suction denture is designed to seal against the gums and tongue, so it holds by suction the way an upper denture does.

Many people with a suction denture need little or no adhesive. It does not suit every mouth, so the shape of your ridge is checked at a consultation first. See all the fixes for a loose lower denture, from relines to implants.

3. Snap-in implant dentures

Snap-in implant dentures clip onto two to four implants placed in your jaw. They stay put when you eat and talk, but you can still take them out to clean them. For many people they are the biggest step up from a regular lower denture.

4. All-on-X fixed teeth

All-on-X teeth are fixed to implants and do not come out at home. They feel the closest to natural teeth, and they are the biggest investment. Our guide to implant dentures vs All-on-X vs regular dentures compares the three side by side.

5. “Invisible” flexible partials

When people search for invisible dentures, they usually mean flexible partials. These use a bendable, gum-coloured material with clasps that blend in with your gums, so no metal shows when you smile. Our guide to partial denture types explains when flexible is the right pick and when metal lasts better.

6. Titanium partials

Titanium partials use a light, strong metal frame that is very well tolerated by the body. They are a good fit for people who want a thin, durable partial denture or who have sensitivities to other metals.

Which new denture is right for seniors?

There is no single best denture for seniors, but a few things matter more as we get older.

• Fewer appointments. Digital dentures cut the number of trips.
• A lower denture that stays put. Suction or snap-in options help if chewing has become hard.
• Easy cleaning. Removable options are simpler to care for than fixed teeth.
• Coverage. Many seniors qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. See our guide to CDCP dentures in BC.

Questions about new types of dentures

Can I switch to a newer type of denture? Usually, yes. Bring your current dentures to a consultation and we will talk through what would improve the fit and comfort. Here is how to choose a denturist in Kelowna if you are comparing clinics.

Do new dentures look more natural? Yes. Modern teeth and gum-coloured materials look far more lifelike than older dentures, and flexible partials hide the clasps.

Are newer dentures covered by insurance or CDCP? Many plans and CDCP cover dentures. Implants themselves are often not covered. See how dentures are covered by insurance in BC, or let us check your coverage at your consultation.

See what has changed at a free consultation

Call our Vernon denture clinic, Kelowna denture clinic or Lake Country clinic, or send us a message. No referral needed.

Written by the team at Kasper Denture Clinic, a family run denture clinic serving Vernon, Kelowna and Lake Country since 1974.