Copy Dentures

tanith

Hi just wonder if anyone has had 'copy dentures' made and wether it was a good idea or not?... I asked at a local dentist about having new dentures and he advised me to have 'copies' made as the ones I have at present were privately made and still in good condition although a little loose. . I know nothing about them and wonder if any of the kind dentists here would recommend the same or not...

thanks

Toothsmith

Hi Tanith,

It's very hard to know without examining you, and having all the facts.

I would generally recommend copy dentures for quite elderly patients who I feared would not adapt well to anything much different to what they have already.

If a relatively new set of dentures (Less than 5 yrs old) had become loose, I would seriously think about re-lining them. This is where an impression is taken inside the existing denture, and it is sent off (For a day or two) to have a new inner surface put on. The disadvantage here is that you have to hide away without your denture for a couple of days! But it is much cheaper than a new set.

If the set is more than 8-10 yrs old, then a new set would be good. Even if they feel OK, you will have changed underneath them, and it will be muscle control more than fit that is keeping them in place.

A copy set will look and feel very like (If not identicle) to your old set. This is not always a good thing though.

Over time, as boney support reduces in the mouth, it is often good to build up the new set a little to avoid the 'old lady' puckered lips look! If this is done a little bit at a time, each time you have a new set, it doesn't ever feel too different, but the difference in appearence over time can be quite dramatic.

As I said though. I don't know you or your mouth, so I can't really say whether it would be suitable for you or not. Ask you dentist some more questions about why he thinks this is the way to go.

bertie2

I do a lot of copy dentures for patients who have been happy with their old dentures ( appearance and fit) and are now finding them a little slack. If you are just wanting your dentures to be tighter then consider having a reline which is cheaper as toothsmith suggests but if you are wanting a second pair (for lifes little accidents!) then go with what your dentist says. To be honest copy technique only really makes a difference to the dentist and technician, not really to the patient