Artificial teeth are widely made of two materials porcelain and acrylic resin.Following is a comparision between acrylic resin and porcelain teeth:
- Acrylic resin artificial teeth are produced in reusable metal moulds using either the dough moulding technique,or by injection moulding ,whereas porcelain are produced to standard shapes and sizes by using moulds which are approximately 30% larger than required.
- Slightly greater translucency and depths of colour achieved with porcelain possibly gives this material a slight advantage in terms of asthetics.
- One aspect of porcelain teeth which is sometimes unpopular with patients is CLICKING sound when two porcelain teeth come in contact.
- Attachment of the teeth to the base is through a chemical union in case of acrylic teeth and by mechanical retention for porcelain teeth.
- For acrylic teeth bonding to heat and resin is more effective than bonding to auto polymerizing resins.
- Acrylic resin teeth are naturally more compatible with the denture base than porcelain teeth.
- Porcelain has a density value about twice that of acrylic resin and dentures of porcelain are much heavier.
- Acrylic teeth are more likely to suffer abrasion than porcelain,as porcelain is brittle and teeth constructed from it are more likely to chip off.
- Extreme hardness of porcelain is disadvantage when adjustments requiring grinding of teeth are necessary.
The vast majority of artificial teeth used for denture construction are now of acrylic type. Acceptable appearance coupled with with convenient handling,greater toughness and compatibility with the acrylic denture base gives acrylic resins an advantage over alternating porcelain material.