Composite Teeth on RPD Frameworks
Posted on 03/02/2012
Composite denture teeth may be best described as somewhere in between acrylic and porcelain. In many ways, composite teeth exhibit the best properties of both materials with few of the drawbacks. Among the advantages include:
1. Strength: Composite teeth bond with acrylic to create a stable, durable denture with chemical retention. It also allows for customization without losing strength, unlike porcelain teeth.
2. Wear: Composite teeth exhibit exceptional wear longevity and durability
3. Esthetics: Composite teeth can achieve esthetics comparable to porcelain teeth with translucency and facial anatomy.
At this point, it may be logical to ask - if composite teeth exhibit so many advantages, why are they not more popular? I believe the reason is mainly due to an issue of marketing and material history.
From a pricing/marketing perspective, composite teeth are more expensive than acrylic while less expensive than porcelain. This places composite in a bit of an awkward selling point. On the one hand, composite does not have the "high end" appeal of porcelain - which can be easily identified by patients by its strength (via the sound it makes when biting) and the look. On the other hand, composite is often indistinguishable from a standard acrylic tooth in a new denture. Only with time will the patient appreciate the strength and durability of the composite material.
In addition to the issue of marketing composite teeth, the material itself is a relatively new and often not taught in dental schools. Doctors may only be introduced to the composite teeth in continuing education seminars or by their lab tech. Until the material makes its way into standard dental school education, this material will unfortunately probably not be adopted by the mainstream denture practices.
There are, however, some indications that adoption may come sooner than expected. Some large companies including Ivoclar Vivadent using their Phonares brand (see link below) and more economic brands such as Yamahachi Px, have been heavily promoting this material and have made some impact in the dental lab community. This may eventually spill over into dental practices and dental school education.
1. Strength: Composite teeth bond with acrylic to create a stable, durable denture with chemical retention. It also allows for customization without losing strength, unlike porcelain teeth.
2. Wear: Composite teeth exhibit exceptional wear longevity and durability
3. Esthetics: Composite teeth can achieve esthetics comparable to porcelain teeth with translucency and facial anatomy.
At this point, it may be logical to ask - if composite teeth exhibit so many advantages, why are they not more popular? I believe the reason is mainly due to an issue of marketing and material history.
From a pricing/marketing perspective, composite teeth are more expensive than acrylic while less expensive than porcelain. This places composite in a bit of an awkward selling point. On the one hand, composite does not have the "high end" appeal of porcelain - which can be easily identified by patients by its strength (via the sound it makes when biting) and the look. On the other hand, composite is often indistinguishable from a standard acrylic tooth in a new denture. Only with time will the patient appreciate the strength and durability of the composite material.
In addition to the issue of marketing composite teeth, the material itself is a relatively new and often not taught in dental schools. Doctors may only be introduced to the composite teeth in continuing education seminars or by their lab tech. Until the material makes its way into standard dental school education, this material will unfortunately probably not be adopted by the mainstream denture practices.
There are, however, some indications that adoption may come sooner than expected. Some large companies including Ivoclar Vivadent using their Phonares brand (see link below) and more economic brands such as Yamahachi Px, have been heavily promoting this material and have made some impact in the dental lab community. This may eventually spill over into dental practices and dental school education.
