Porcelain vs Ceramic Dentures: What to Know
What Are These Tooth Things?
Teeth help us eat food. When we lose our teeth, we need new ones. Dentures are fake teeth that go in your mouth. There are two kinds we will talk about: porcelain and ceramic dentures.
Think of dentures like the toy teeth you might see at Halloween, but much better! They look real and help you chew food.
Two Kinds of Fake Teeth
Porcelain Dentures
- Made from clay that gets very hot
- Look very much like real teeth
- Shiny and see-through like real teeth
Ceramic Dentures
- Made from strong stuff called zirconia
- Harder to break
- Not as see-through as porcelain
How Long Do They Last?
Porcelain teeth can last 5-10 years before they need to be fixed or changed. They wear down when they rub against your real teeth.
Ceramic teeth last longer! They can stay good for 10-15 years or even more. If you get the kind called zirconia, they are super strong.
Which Ones Break More?
If you drop your dentures or bite something very hard:
- Porcelain dentures have a 15 out of 100 chance of chipping in 5 years
- Ceramic dentures have less than 5 out of 100 chance of breaking
That means ceramic is stronger! This is why some people pick ceramic teeth for the back of their mouth where they chew hard food.
Which Looks More Like Real Teeth?
Most people think their fake teeth look good! But there is a small difference:
- 92 out of 100 people like how their porcelain teeth look
- 85 out of 100 people like how their ceramic teeth look
Porcelain lets light go through it like real teeth do. This makes them look very real! Ceramic teeth block more light but hide stains better.
How Much Money Do They Cost?
Fake teeth cost different amounts of money. Check out our dental equipment collection for pricing options.
| Type of Dentures | How Much They Cost |
|---|---|
| Porcelain | $1,500-$3,500 |
| Ceramic | $2,000-$4,500 |
Ceramic costs more money, but they last longer too! Think of it like buying shoes - if you buy cheap shoes, you might need new ones sooner.
Taking Care of Your Fake Teeth
Porcelain dentures need more care:
- Clean them 3 times every year at the dentist
- Be careful not to drop them
- Can get stains from coffee or food
Ceramic dentures are easier to take care of:
- Just see the dentist once a year
- Harder to break
- Don't get stains as much
Real People's Stories
A man who grinds his teeth at night got porcelain front teeth. After 4 years, they got small chips. His friend got ceramic teeth made of zirconia. After 8 years, they still look good even though he grinds his teeth too!
This shows that if you grind your teeth, ceramic might be better for you.
Which Teeth Go Where?
Dentists put different fake teeth in different spots:
- Porcelain works best for your front teeth where people can see them
- Ceramic works best for your back teeth where you chew hard food
Just like how we wear nice shoes to parties but work boots for hard jobs, different teeth work better in different spots!
Who Should Get Porcelain Dentures?
You might like porcelain dentures if:
- You want your teeth to look very real
- You care most about how your smile looks
- You don't bite very hard foods
- You don't mind taking extra care of them
Our orthodontics collection includes tools for fitting porcelain dentures.
Who Should Get Ceramic Dentures?
You might like ceramic dentures if:
- You want teeth that last a long time
- You eat lots of hard or crunchy foods
- You grind your teeth at night
- You don't want to go to the dentist as much
Check our ceramic braces collection for similar products.
Can You Fix Them If They Break?
If your fake teeth break, here's what happens:
Porcelain dentures:
- Can often be fixed
- Might need new ones if the break is bad
- Cost less to fix than to replace
Ceramic dentures:
- Harder to fix if they break
- Usually need new ones if they break
- Break less often, so you don't need to worry as much
What the Dentist Does
When you go to the dentist for new teeth:
- They look at your mouth
- They make a mold of your mouth
- They help you pick porcelain or ceramic
- They make your new teeth
- They put them in and make sure they fit
The dentist uses special tools like dental handpieces to make your dentures fit just right.
Things to Ask Your Dentist
When you see your dentist, ask these questions:
- Do I grind my teeth at night?
- Which type fits my money plan?
- Which will look best with my other teeth?
- How long will each kind last for me?
Your dentist knows lots about teeth and can help you choose!
Good and Bad Things About Each Kind
Let's look at what's good and bad about each kind:
Porcelain Dentures:
- GOOD: Look very real
- GOOD: Cost less to start with
- BAD: Can chip or break
- BAD: Need more cleaning
Ceramic Dentures:
- GOOD: Very strong and last longer
- GOOD: Don't need as much care
- BAD: Cost more money at first
- BAD: Don't look quite as real as porcelain
What Other People Ask
"Which lasts longer?"
Ceramic lasts 5-10 years longer than porcelain.
"Are porcelain dentures more costly?"
At first, porcelain costs less. But ceramic might save money over time because it lasts longer.
"Can I get porcelain for my back teeth?"
You can, but most dentists say ceramic is better for back teeth because it's stronger.
"Do ceramic dentures look fake?"
No! They look very good, just a tiny bit less real than porcelain.
Making Your Choice
Picking fake teeth is like picking a car - you need to think about what matters most to you:
- If you want the best-looking teeth: Pick porcelain
- If you want teeth that last a long time: Pick ceramic
- If you have a small money plan: Start with porcelain
- If you grind your teeth: Pick ceramic
Taking Care of Your New Teeth
No matter which kind you get, you need to:
- Brush them each day
- Take them out at night
- Keep them in water when not in your mouth
- Don't drop them
- See your dentist for check-ups
Good care makes your fake teeth last much longer!
Final Thoughts
Both porcelain and ceramic dentures can give you a nice smile and help you eat. Porcelain looks a bit more like real teeth, but ceramic lasts longer.
Think about what matters most to you - how they look, how long they last, or how much they cost. Then talk to your dentist about which is best for you.
Remember, a good smile helps you feel happy and lets you enjoy all your favorite foods!
