Dentures

Oral health problems affect millions of people each year of all ages and for varying reasons. Many of those with severe tooth decay, gum disease, and multiple missing teeth will turn to dentures as an oral health solution to preserve their health and their quality of life. Dentures are custom-made artificial gums and teeth designed to replace teeth that have been lost or removed due to age, infection, or injury. An affordable option for patients with extensive tooth loss, including large gaps between missing teeth, dentures help support the bones and tissue of the facial structure, allow for a healthy and varied diet, and restore a full, beautiful smile. 

Who needs dentures?

While tooth loss as a result of aging is the primary reason for dentures, a large portion of the population needs dentures for other reasons, such as:

• Accidents, in which teeth have been damaged or knocked out
• Traumatic sports injuries
• Congenital birth defects or disorders
• Sustained poor dental hygiene, especially during childhood
• Severe tooth decay or infection
• Lack of confidence or satisfaction with current smile

Severe tooth loss can do more than make you unhappy with your smile. Here are some of the other ways tooth loss can lead to bigger problems.

• Living with gaps or missing teeth along your gum line can lead to gum disease and further tooth decay. Bacteria and plaque can develop along these gaps or spaces in your mouth and affect other parts of your otherwise healthy gums and teeth.
• If you decide not to treat gaps or missing teeth along your gum line, it could lead to the disfigurement of your jawline and ultimately the appearance of your facial structure. 
• Missing teeth can affect your ability to chew or speak properly, which can result in poor diet and the deterioration of your social engagement. 

Dentures support clearer speech by allowing your tongue to rest in the proper place; provide support for your jaw and facial structure; and give you more confidence in a healthy, aesthetically-pleasing smile.  

At Castle Dental, it doesn’t matter how or why you are missing teeth, or how many you’re missing; we work hard to give every patient a full, healthy smile, treating them with the compassion and respect they deserve. Castle Dental provides comprehensive dental care services, including dentures, so that you can smile with confidence again.

How much do dentures cost?

Because dentures are considered a medically necessary appliance, most dental insurance plans will cover most or all of their cost. How much your dentures will cost depends on a number of factors, including the type you need for your unique situation, like complete or partial, conventional or implant-supported, and prices will vary from patient to patient. Complete denture sets can cost in the thousands depending on the type and any issues, ut costs vary with each case. Partial dentures do not always mean less expensive, especially if they have to fit around existing teeth. An implant-supported dental procedure will be more involved and will cost significantly more than conventional dentures, but it’s a more permanent and lasting solution.

It’s important to think of dentures as an investment in your future health, and although you can’t put a price on a beautiful smile and years of better oral health, Castle Dental works hard to make dentures convenient and affordable for everyone. In addition to flexible payment and financing options such as affordable monthly payments, low or no down payments, extended terms, and low interest rates, Castle Dental also accepts almost all major dental insurance plans and even offers our own OneSmile Dental plan if you don’t have insurance. Schedule an appointment today to find out how we can help you afford the smile you deserve.

What are the different types of dentures?

There are various types of dentures and each serves very distinct purposes for unique situations. It’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist to choose the option that is best for you and your current–and future–oral health. 

If you are missing all of your teeth in your top or bottom arch or in your entire mouth, or will need all of them extracted as a result of decay, injury, or infection, you may need…

“Full” or “Complete” dentures. Complete dentures replace every tooth in the upper or lower arches or both.

If you have gaps from several missing teeth but still have some healthy teeth remaining, you may need…

Partial Dentures. Partial dentures are typically attached to a gum-colored attachment and fill the spaces created by missing teeth, providing support for the jaw and preventing the remaining teeth from moving.

If you have ample bone density and want a permanent solution to your tooth loss, your dentist may recommend…

Implant-supported dentures. Implant-supported dentures are dentures attached to small screws implanted in your jawbone. 

If your jaw cannot support implants or if you want to be able to remove your dentures, your dentist may recommend…

Conventional dentures. Conventional dentures rest along your gum line, held in place with dental cement or glue.

What is the conventional denture process?

Conventional dentures offer several advantages, including removability and affordability, but the process of creating them and getting used to them can take several weeks or even months. Here’s how it works:

1. You will have an initial appointment with your dentist to assess your teeth and mouth. After the dentist has determined if you will need complete or partial dentures, or if you will need to have any teeth extracted before the dentures, he or she will take an impression of your teeth.
2. The impression will be sent to a lab where your custom dentures will be created. The artificial teeth are placed and a special wax is used to mimic the gum and oral tissue. Once the dentures are ready, they will be sent back to the dentist.
3. You will have an appointment to test the fit and feel of your dentures and allow the dentist to make any changes or adjustments.
4. Once both of you are satisfied with the new dentures, acrylic and other compounds will be applied to make them permanent, then they will be cleaned, polished, and ready for you to take home.
5. You will have one or more follow-up appointments to make sure your dentures are fitting and functioning correctly.

Conventional dentures can take several weeks or even months to get accustomed to and they require special care. You may notice sore spots at first, problems speaking, and increased saliva, but these will all improve over time. The process can take some getting used to and can be frustrating, but the long-term benefits of a healthy smile are too significant to ignore.

Some important things to remember as you–and your mouth–adjust to your new dentures include:

• Be consistent in wearing your dentures and using the dental adhesive.
• Stick to softer foods in the first few weeks so your jaw can get used to chewing.
• Be patient.
• Practice speaking and chewing.
• Visit your dentist for follow-up evaluations.
• Contact your dentist if you experience prolonged discomfort or pain–your dentures may need adjustment.

With good care, your dentures can last for years before needing adjustment or replacement. Here are some ways you can keep your conventional dentures in good condition for as long as possible:

• Keep your dentures and your mouth clean with daily brushing using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Rinse your dentures after every meal.
• Don’t sleep with your dentures. 
• Soak them in water or a special denture-soaking solution each night.
• Dentures are easily breakable. Avoid fixing them yourselves and schedule an appointment if they become uncomfortable. 
• Visit your dentist for regular checkups, as you would with natural teeth, to have your dentures cleaned and inspected.

What is the implant-supported denture process?

The process for implant-supported dentures–either complete or partial–is significantly different than that of conventional dentures. It typically involves more than one surgery and months of healing, but the result is a permanent tooth replacement solution that requires less maintenance and virtually no replacement or adjustment. 

Getting implant-supported dentures includes:

1. An initial consultation with a dentist, including x-rays to assess the density and health of your jaw. (Poor bone health or bone density may prevent your jaw from supporting the implants.) If the dentist determines you are a good candidate for implant-supported dentures, he or she will make an impression of your mouth and send it to a lab to begin creating your prostheses.
2. Any procedures to prepare your mouth and jaw for the implants, such as bone or gum grafts, root canals, or tooth extractions, and the requisite recovery time.
3. Implant placement, a surgical procedure during which the implants–tiny metal screws–are placed in the jaw to serve as the new tooth roots.
4. A recovery period of between 2 and 6 months during which the implants fuse to the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. You may have temporary dentures during this time.
5. Abutment placement, another surgical procedure that uncovers the implants and fits them with an abutment, a metal piece that will allow the dentures to connect to the dentures. This is also followed by a recovery period so your gums can heal.
6. Once your gums and jaw have completely healed, your new dentures will be fitted and attached to the abutments.

As with conventional dentures, there will be a period of adjustment as you get used to your implant-supported dentures. You will need to clean them as you would natural teeth and visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams.

Visit Castle Dental for Your Custom Dentures

Tooth loss and decay affect everything from your mental health to your general health, and dentures can be an affordable, convenient restoration solution. If you’re ready for a confident smile again, schedule an appointment with the experienced and friendly dentists at a Castle Dental office near you. We offer multiple locations and a broad range of financing options, including our OneSmile Dental Plan, so getting dentures can fit both your budget and your busy schedule. Let Castle Dental’s friendly staff and dental professionals guide you through the denture process and get you back to a better life.