What is a Removable Frame? When Should You Choose One, and How Much Does It Cost?

What is a removable denture?

As mentioned in the introduction, the difference with a removable denture lies in its base: instead of a large plastic sheet covering the gums, the denture uses a thin titanium frame that attaches to the remaining natural teeth in the mouth.

To make it easier to visualize, you can divide a removable denture into three parts:

• Titanium frame: This is the framework of the denture, thin and lightweight. Because the frame is thin, the denture takes up less space in the mouth, making it easier to talk and eat compared to a thick plastic base.

• Dental prostheses: These are the teeth that replace missing teeth, attached to the frame. You can choose Japanese, American, or composite dentures depending on your needs and budget.

• Metal clasps: These are the parts that attach to the natural teeth to keep the denture fixed in the mouth during chewing.

The support of the denture is the support teeth, which are the remaining natural teeth that are still strong and healthy. As long as the supporting teeth are strong, the denture has a stable foundation. Conversely, rigid or reinforced plastic dentures primarily cover the gums, so they don't offer the same stability.

Now that you know the structure, the next question is, who are removable dentures suitable for?

Who are removable dentures suitable for?

Removable dentures are suitable when you still have enough healthy supporting teeth and need a highly stable denture. The three situations below will help you compare.

When you still have strong supporting teeth

When you still have strong supporting teeth, removable dentures are the top priority because they provide a solid foundation.

For example, if you lose two adjacent teeth but the teeth on either side are still strong, the framework will attach to those two teeth as a support, so the chewing force is distributed to the supporting teeth instead of being concentrated on the gums. Conversely, if the adjacent teeth are weak, the support is no longer strong enough, and the dentist will reassess the appropriate option for you.

When a tooth is missing or a portion of teeth are missing

If you lose a single tooth or a portion of teeth, dentists recommend a framework denture because of its high stability and ease of eating.

When not to use a framework denture

When all teeth in an entire jaw are missing, Dental Fam does not use a framework dentures but instead prescribes rigid or reinforced resin.

The reason is simple: framework dentures require supporting teeth, so when all teeth are gone, the framework has nothing to anchor to. For complete tooth loss, dentists recommend reinforced resin because it is more durable.

So, what are the benefits and trade-offs of using a framework denture?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Removable Frame Dentures

Frame dentures are more stable and durable than resin dentures, but are less aesthetically pleasing, and require a new denture if the clasps break.

Advantages:

• High Stability: With supporting teeth, the denture is more secure, making eating easier.

• Less Pain: If the supporting teeth are still intact, frame dentures cause less pain than hard or reinforced resin dentures.

• Thin and Lightweight: The thin titanium frame makes the denture lighter and less cumbersome when speaking.

• More Durable: Dentists rate frame dentures as more durable than flexible resin dentures.

Disadvantages:

• Less Aesthetic: This is the main weakness of frame dentures, as the metal frame and clasps are visible. * Broken clasps require a new denture: Unlike plastic bases where clasps can be added, if the clasps of a removable denture frame break, the clinic will make a new denture.

• Unusable when all teeth are missing: due to the lack of supporting teeth as mentioned above.

If this is suitable for you, the following section will specify how much money you need to prepare.

How ​​much does a removable denture frame cost?

According to Dental Fam's current price list, a titanium base costs 2,500,000 VND per denture, plus the price of each individual tooth, so the total cost is 2,500,000 VND plus the number of teeth multiplied by the price per tooth.

The price per tooth is 500,000 VND (Japanese teeth), 800,000 VND (American teeth), and 1,500,000 VND (Composite teeth). Below is an example table with 1, 3, and 5 teeth:

You can calculate it yourself based on your own case. For example, if you lose 3 adjacent teeth and choose American-made dentures, the total cost is 2,500,000 VND plus 3 times 800,000 VND, totaling 4,900,000 VND. The warranty period in the first column applies to the entire denture, not just the dentures themselves.

Besides the denture cost, the examination and consultation fee is 100,000 VND (free if you get the dentures made immediately). Previous dental treatments such as tooth extractions or cavity treatments are charged separately according to the price list. The denture cost is all-inclusive, including any adjustments.

The price is higher than a hard resin base, so how does a framework denture differ from other types of bases?

What's the difference between a framework denture and a resin base?

Frame dentures are more stable and durable than resin bases but are less aesthetically pleasing, and have a higher base price than hard resin or reinforced resin.

You choose based on your priorities: a metal denture if you need stability and durability, a flexible resin denture if you need aesthetics and don't want visible clasps.

• Choose a metal denture when: you still have strong supporting teeth, you want easy eating and long-term use. Dentists prefer metal dentures because they are more stable, but less aesthetically pleasing.
• Choose a flexible resin denture when: you have minimal tooth loss and aesthetics are your top priority. However, flexible dentures don't have metal clasps, so you can't add clasps, and if they break, they are almost impossible to repair.

And what about the warranty and repair of a metal denture after it's done?

Warranty and Repair of Denture Frames

The entire denture is covered by a warranty depending on the type of teeth (6 months, 1 year, or 3 years). If the clasps of the denture frame break, the clinic will make a new denture.

• Warranty: applies to the entire denture and only covers technical issues. Damage caused by personal actions such as accidents, dropping, or being stepped on is not covered.

• Repair/Repair: If the denture is broken, cracked, or chipped, the cost is 1,000,000 VND per denture, regardless of the extent of damage. If the damage is too severe, the dentist will recommend making a new denture instead of repairing it.

• Adjustment: New dentures usually require multiple adjustments to fit the soft tissues in the mouth, and these adjustments are free of charge.

So, what steps will you go through to get a denture frame?

Procedure for Making Removable Dentures

If everything goes smoothly, the dentures will be completed in approximately 3 appointments within one week. The steps include:

1. Examination and Consultation: The dentist will assess your teeth, gums, jawbone, and abutment teeth, then help you choose the type of denture.

2. Necessary Dental Treatment (if any): Tooth extraction, cavity treatment, gingivitis treatment. This is charged separately.

3. Session 1 (30 to 45 minutes): Initial impression taking.

4. Session 2 (approximately 30 minutes): Trying on the dentures and taking final impressions.

5. Session 3 (approximately 30 minutes): Delivery and adjustments to the dentures.

Frequently Asked Questions about Removable Dentures

Can I get a removable denture if I've lost one molar?

Dental Fam usually doesn't accept single molars, as the dentures are less stable and can easily lead you to mistakenly think you can chew with them. Removable dentures only fill the gap left by a missing tooth; they don't function like real teeth for chewing. For the loss of one incisor or partial tooth loss, the dentist will assess the situation separately and prioritize a removable denture if there are still supporting teeth.

Is a regular check-up necessary?

No regular check-ups are necessary. You can monitor yourself at home and only visit the clinic if you experience problems requiring a dentist's attention. For example, if the denture is loose, the clasps are broken, or it cracks.

Is installment payment available for removable dentures?

Currently, the clinic does not offer installment payments for removable dentures. If your budget is limited, you can discuss with your dentist to choose a suitable option, such as a hard resin base with a free base.

Removable dentures use a titanium framework and the remaining natural teeth as anchors, making them more stable and less uncomfortable than plastic dentures, but less aesthetically pleasing. At Dental Fam, a titanium framework costs 2,500,000 VND per denture, plus the cost of each tooth ranging from 500,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND, a complete package for the denture. Removable dentures are not suitable for complete edentulous cases or broken clasps, in which case a new denture will be required.

To determine if you have enough remaining abutment teeth for a removable denture, you can schedule an appointment and consultation at Dental Fam. The 100,000 VND consultation fee is waived if you proceed with the denture immediately.

Dental Fam - Family Clinic

• Address: NOTT 28, 29, 30, Phuoc Long A Urban Area, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa
• Hotline: +84 582 582 345 / +84 983 001 768
• Email: info@dentalfam.vn