According to the American Academy of Prosthodontists, nearly 140 million people are missing one or more teeth. If you’re a part of that statistic, you know from experience how much tooth loss can affect your overall quality of life. Fortunately, you don’t have to live that way forever! Our practice offers state-of-the-art and personalized dentures in North Attleboro to help you regain full function of your teeth. To find out of this tooth-replacement option is right for you, continue reading or give our office a call today for personal assistance.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Patients missing several teeth or an entire arch may be good candidates for dentures in North Attleboro. The only way to know for sure whether or not you’re eligible for this method of tooth replacement is by attending a consultation with our team. During your initial visit, we’ll review your medical history and perform a thorough oral examination to determine your candidacy. If there are any existing oral health issues like tooth decay or gum disease, they’ll need to be addressed first before you can move forward with the denture process.
Effects of Missing Teeth
There are a variety of different reasons behind tooth loss. The most common include tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. According to the
American Academy of Periodontology
, there are numerous negative consequences, including facial sagging, difficulty speaking, trouble eating, and lower self-esteem. By replacing your missing teeth with dentures, you can improve all of these areas of your life.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Dentures are an ideal option for patients who have experienced significant tooth loss. However, to get dentures, you must be committed to your dental health routine and willing to properly care for your replacement teeth. The number of teeth that you are missing will ultimately determine which type of denture is best for you. One of the great things about dentures is the fact that they are more affordable than other tooth-replacement options, making them ideal for patients who are on a budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If you don’t make a good candidate for dentures or they don’t sound like something that you are interested in, you can explore other tooth replacement options. Here are some of the ones that we offer:
Dental Bridges:
Dental bridges are ideal for patients who are only missing one or a few teeth. They work by “bridging” the gap with a replacement tooth. They require healthy teeth surrounding the missing tooth to support the bridge.
Dental Implants:
A dental implant is a titanium screw-like post that is inserted into the jawbone via a surgical procedure. To make a good candidate for this procedure, the patient must have a solid bone structure. This option is more costly than traditional dentures, but it’s permanent.
Dentures are one of the most traditional solutions for missing teeth, and there’s a very good reason for that! Not only can they improve your appearance, but they allow you to regain full function of your smile once again. Based on your discussion at your consultation, our team will recommend one of the following treatment options:
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures only replace some of the teeth. The gum-colored base and custom artificial teeth are attached to your remaining teeth with a clasp. They effectively complete your existing smile, giving you a beautiful and fully functioning grin.
Full Dentures
Are you missing an entire row of teeth? You may want to consider getting full dentures! They’re the ideal choice because they’re discreet and are often held in place with natural suction, denture adhesive, or a mixture of both.
Implant Dentures
If you want a more stable solution, you can opt for implant dentures. Your custom teeth are attached to dental implants that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Because of their unique placement, you can enjoy maximum stability and avoid unwanted movement.
How Dentures Are Made
Learning how something is made can help you come to a better understanding of how best to interact with it. Dentures are no different in that regard! If you want to have an advantage in maintaining, using, and adjusting to them, take a look at the following information. We’ve put together an overview of how dentures are made.
What Are Dentures Made Of?
Your dentures have two parts: the gum-colored base and the pearly white teeth. Both can be made from a variety of materials, but here’s the basics:
The gum-colored base could be acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal substance. However, acrylic is the most popular choice, because it can more closely match the shade of your natural gums to blend in more seamlessly. If you’re partial dentures, your base might also include metal clips for stability.
The teeth usually consist of either resin or porcelain. Porcelain is often preferred for a full set of dentures because it’s generally more durable and tooth-like. However, it can also wear down neighboring teeth that are natural, so resin is the material of choice for partials.
The Denture Creation Process
Crafting your dentures is a more involved process than you might think! It requires multiple steps and quite a bit of lab time, but don’t worry. We’ll provide you with a temporary set for you to use while.
Step 1: Getting Your Measurements. We’ll first take digital impressions of your teeth and gumline in-office, then send the information to a dental lab for fabrication.
Step 2: Setting the Teeth. The lab technicians will make a wax mock-up of your gums to help design the artificial teeth accurately. An “articulator” device is used to attach the teeth to the wax gums.
Step 3: Double-Checking Your Fit. Once the model is set, the lab will send the dentures back to us so we can confirm how they fit in your mouth. If they feel good, we’ll return the model to the lab.
Step 4: Removing the Wax and Molding the Finished Material. You wouldn’t want a wax base, so the technicians boil the wax off the artificial teeth. From there, they’ll create a plaster mold of your dentures and carefully fill it with the appropriate materials.
Step 5: Trimming and Polishing. The technicians will remove the plaster and any excess material from your soon-to-be permanent dentures. A quick polishing makes them picture-perfect, and we’ll receive the dentures for your final fitting!
Step 6: Final Adjustments and Freedom. Sometimes small tweaks have to be made to the final product for an ideal fit. Other than that, we’ll let you bask in the shiny look of your new teeth, and you’re free to go!
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
As you can see, a lot of love and attention goes into making your dentures! However, it’s still a new-to-you oral device, and might take some getting used to. Your gums will likely be sore, and eating and talking might be tricky at first. Eating soft foods, taking pain relievers as needed, and experimenting with denture adhesive can help, but if the challenge doesn’t get any easier, give us a call. We’ll gladly talk with you about possible solutions or make additional tweaks to your new smile.
The Benefits of Dentures
When you’re missing several teeth, daily life often gets tricky. Tasks you might take for granted – eating, speaking, smiling, etc. – will suddenly become hard. Luckily, you can trust our practice’s dentures to solve this dilemma. Their features let them restore your smile and improve your quality of life. In fact, Attleboro Dental Group will gladly tell you more about the benefits of dentures. Simply keep reading or call our office for the relevant details.
Psychological Benefits
People usually struggle to accept their tooth loss. After all, it’s rather upsetting to lose a full and pretty grin. Knowing you have smile gaps can make you feel anxious and awkward. Such feelings can then lower your self-esteem and make you withdraw from others. From there, it’s quite easy to fall into sadness or depression.
Of course, dentures let you avoid these feelings. They can quickly “fill” your smile gaps and thus boost your confidence. Having a full grin again will help you feel more self-assured. As a result, you’ll feel less anxious about your looks, eating ability, and speech.
Clearer Enunciation
As you might know, you can’t speak well without teeth. Your tongue needs all your pearly whites to enunciate words. Even missing a few can lead to speech impediments. In particular, you’ll likely develop a lisp, slurred words, and other mispronunciations.
Thankfully, dentures clear up this issue as well. Their artificial teeth will support your tongue to form words. That said, you’ll still need to work through an adjustment period. It takes time and practice to speak well with dentures.
Improves Nutrition
If you lack a full smile, odds are you’ll have a poor diet. Having few teeth means you can’t chew properly. In response, you may be forced to exclude healthy but tough foods from your meals. You’d then be at high risk of malnutrition and indigestion.
As it happens, dentures can solve this nutrition issue. Their durable artificial teeth let you chew a wide range of foods. In doing so, they’ll expand your dietary choices and boost your nutritional health.
Preserves Oral Health
Tooth loss doesn’t just harm your appearance; it also damages your oral health. Left untreated, it results in “smile gaps” that allow harmful bacteria to breed. This effect makes tooth decay and gum disease more likely. Worse yet, the very same gaps can tilt your remaining teeth until they fall out.
Still, things change when you have dentures. These prosthetics would easily fill your smile gaps and reduce the spread of harmful bacteria. Your mouth would then have fewer infections. Plus, removing these spaces will keep your other natural teeth from tilting or falling.
Expands Opportunities
Indeed, a gorgeous grin helps you make a good first impression. Your pretty pearly whites will inspire positive feelings in your peers. Such people will then offer opportunities to enrich your life. In other words, nice teeth may help you make friends, romance a partner, or even improve your career.
As it turns out, dentures could give you such teeth. Their quality materials ensure your final smile will look beautiful. Over time, your grin would then lead to exciting changes among friends, family, and coworkers.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Dentures are a great option for patients who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. They can give you the function and appearance of your smile back! However, it is important to consider the cost of your replacement teeth beforehand so there aren’t any surprises. During your consultation, we will discuss the exact cost of your treatment. In the meantime, here are some things to think about.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
Here are the many factors we will consider when determining the cost of your dentures:
Preparation: If you are in need of a preliminary procedure, like a tooth extraction or gum disease treatment, before you can get dentures, these treatments will incur their own costs.
Materials: Dentures can be made from a variety of different materials. These are each priced differently.
Type of Denture: If you are getting a partial denture, this will likely cost less than a full denture. Implant dentures are priced the highest because they require a surgical procedure.
Cheaper is not better when it comes to investing in dentures. The quality of your replacement teeth will be strongly influenced by the amount you pay. You don’t want to have subpar materials or need additional repairs and replacements. Your dentures are going in your mouth, so quality is extremely important.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Yes, implant dentures are more expensive than implant dentures. This is because the dental implants need to be surgically placed in the jawbone. This technique allows for numerous additional benefits. Implant dentures are intended to be permanent, and they are much more stable than traditional dentures. You don’t need to worry about shifting, slipping, clicking, or limiting your diet. Dental implants are an investment that pays off over time.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Dentures are considered to be a major procedure, so dental insurance plans usually cover around 50% of the cost. At Attleboro Dental Group, we accept nearly all dental insurance plans. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your insurance so we can help. We can help to prevent surprises with a complimentary benefits check.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. With our In-House Membership Program, you can save on procedures and treatments completed at our dental practice. We also work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. To learn more about your financial options, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our friendly team members!
To find out the exact cost of your new dentures, schedule a consultation with us. You will have your smile back in no time!
Denture FAQs
If you’re struggling with missing one, several, or all of your teeth, you aren’t the only one. Tooth loss has affected millions of Americans, but this doesn’t mean you should have to live with gaps in your smile. Dentures are one of the most popular and reliable solutions for this issue, and it’s natural to want to know more about the treatment before committing to getting them. That’s why our team at Attleboro Dental Group has collected and answered some of the most commonly asked questions our patients have about these restorations. Read along or give us a call today to learn more about dentures in North Attleboro!
Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?
If you require tooth extractions before getting your restorations, then you’ll likely experience mild discomfort for a few days after your oral surgery. Be sure to take your prescribed pain relievers as instructed and use a cold compress to help alleviate discomfort. Your symptoms should improve after three to five days of your appointment. When first receiving your dentures, it’s normal to feel some minor irritation as your mouth gets accustomed to your new teeth. The length of time for this adjustment process will vary from patient to patient. This step may also take longer if you’re transitioning to a new pair of dentures. If any discomfort persists or worsens over time, be sure to visit us so that we can address the underlying issue.
Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?
Our team will prefer to repair any damaged teeth before considering pulling them out and replacing them completely. However, if keeping a tooth isn’t a viable option, such as one that is beyond repair or heavily infected, then we may recommend extraction as a last resort. Should you have an entire arch that is either decayed or infected, removing your teeth may be the more cost-effective decision in the long run. Rest assured we’ll thoroughly explore all alternative options before moving straight to pulling out any pearly whites.
Will Dentures Change the Shape of My Face?
Whenever you lose teeth, your facial muscles and structure will begin to deteriorate over time, resulting in a more aged or sunken appearance. Wearing dentures will effectively restore your smile while also providing support to the muscles that have collapsed. This should help improve your appearance, especially if your restorations are properly fitted. If you notice your dentures aren’t fitting correctly, make sure to see our team for adjustments or a replacement. Not only will ill-fitting dentures not offer the proper support for your facial structure, but they’ll also more likely shift out of place when eating and talking.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
Although this is possible, we highly suggest that you always remove your dentures before going to bed. You’ll have to wear your restorations for 24 hours after first receiving them, which includes sleep. After that, you should be taking them off every night. Each time you wear your dentures, they’ll restrict the circulation in your gums, which typically results in soft tissue irritation or even speeds up ridge resorption. By removing them overnight, you give your gums a chance to recover and receive the essential nutrients to keep them strong and healthy. This also helps prevent bacteria from accumulating and growing underneath your dentures, which can lead to higher risks of pneumonia. To avoid any complications, it’s best to simply take them out and soak them while you sleep.
