Dentures – Lady Lake, FL

Effects of Missing Teeth

There are several reasons why you might end up with multiple missing teeth. Common causes include gum disease breaking down the tissues around the tooth roots, extensive tooth decay, and physical trauma such as a blow to the mouth. Regardless of the cause, you need to quickly put together a plan for dealing with your incomplete smile.

You could always choose not to have your teeth replaced, but this decision can have serious consequences. You may find it difficult, if not impossible, to eat certain foods, and other people may have trouble understanding you when you talk. Tooth loss can also increase your chances of experiencing depression or anxiety; at the very least, the gap in your grin will likely leave you feeling less than completely confident.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures have come a long way, and they remain highly popular among people who have lost multiple teeth. You may be able to get dentures if:

• Many of your teeth were knocked out of your jaw in an accident.
• Tooth decay, gum disease, or another oral health issue has forced you to have most or all of your teeth extracted.
• You have an overall healthy mouth with gums and a jawbone that can support new teeth.

Contact our office if you’re interested in pursuing dentures. In addition to confirming that you qualify for them, we can also determine the type of denture (full, partial, or implant) that you should get based on the specifics of your situation.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

What happens if you find out that you’re not a viable candidate for dentures? Our team can review your other tooth-replacement options with you to see if one of them might be a better fit for your smile.

• Dental Bridges: Sometimes a single gap in your smile can be filled with a dental bridge made up of a pair of crowns and at least one pontic (prosthetic tooth). A bridge is only an option if the teeth next to the gap are still strong enough to support it.
• Dental Implants: You won’t have to worry about your replacement teeth slipping if they’re attached to dental implants. To make the process of replacing your teeth with implants easier, we can complete the entire procedure in-office.

Psychological Benefits

If you have one or multiple gaps in your smile, you’re less likely to want to show off your teeth when talking or laughing. Some people end up trying to hide their mouths during social interactions, which can be extremely problematic for their self-esteem. However, by renewing your smile with custom and lifelike dentures, you can get the boost in confidence you deserve while also not having to worry about things like your chewing ability and speech!

Clearer Enunciation

To pronounce certain words, you typically have to properly place your tongue and lips against your teeth. If you’re missing some or all of yours, it can make it incredibly challenging to speak clearly or even make particular sounds. Replacing your missing teeth with dentures can allow you to enunciate more effectively when talking. This may involve an adjustment period, but practice and repetition can make your prosthetics feel more natural in no time.

Improves Nutrition

If you want to eat a much healthier diet, you need to have all of your teeth to chew efficiently. Many foods are tough to eat, including some fruits, veggies, and lean meats. Not being able to chew properly can lead to complications later on, such as indigestion and malnutrition. With dentures, you can regain a significant amount of your biting power, allowing you to digest your meals effectively and enjoy a wider range of food choices. This can also directly promote better oral and overall health!

Preserves Oral Health

Even if you lose just one tooth, the other existing natural teeth can start to shift out of place to fill the gap. Additionally, without stimulation from a tooth root, your jawbone can start to deteriorate, weakening your bone density and altering your facial shape. By getting dentures, you can help prevent any remaining teeth from moving and wearing them down from everyday chewing.

Expands Opportunities

Did you know that most people will notice your smile during any first impression? That’s why if you’re preparing for a job interview, a promotion, or even a date, having a brilliant set of pearly whites can greatly improve your chances. Dentures can restore your missing teeth as well as boost your confidence, allowing you to feel much more comfortable showing off your smile. Others may even perceive you as outgoing and engaging, which can expand your opportunities in both your personal and professional life!

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are made of two parts: the base of the denture and the teeth. Here is what they are comprised of:

• Denture Base: This is the foundational structure that gives the artificial teeth support. It can be made from a variety of different materials, including acrylic, nylon, and resin. Full dentures are most often made using acrylic because it can be tailored to closely match your natural gum tissue. Partial dentures may use metal clips with an acrylic base, and, in some cases, nylon is used in place of acrylic.
• Artificial Teeth: The placement teeth are attached to the denture base. They are often made from resin or porcelain because they both have a natural appearance. However, porcelain is a more popular option because it looks and feels just like natural teeth. It is also a very durable material.

The Denture Creation Process

Each denture is custom-made for the patient’s mouth, so this requires a multi-step process. Here’s a step-by-step of what the denture process typically looks like:

• Step 1: First, your dentist will take impressions of your upper and lower gums using a thick paste. It’s used to create a plaster model that’s essentially a replica of the patient’s mouth. The model is used to ensure the final denture is of the appropriate size and shape. Measurements of the jaw may also be taken at this time.
• Step 2: Next, the cast is sent to a dental laboratory where the dentures will be crafted. They’ll create the wax replica of your gum line.
• Step 3: The artificial teeth, made of acrylic resin, are set in place, and a mechanical device known as an articulator will be used to attach the teeth with wax. The technician will make minor adjustments by shaping and carving the wax to ensure it looks like your gums. This wax base will be used for your finished denture.
• Step 4: The wax dentures are sent to your dentist for a fitting. If everything looks good, the dentures will be sent back to the dental lab to complete the process. In the meantime, you will be given temporary dentures to wear until your final ones are ready.
• Step 5: Once back at the lab, the technician will boil your dentures to get rid of the wax portions. The dentures are placed in a flask, which is a holding device into which plaster is poured to maintain the shape of the dentures. The entire flask is placed in hot water to melt the wax away.
• Step 6: Once the wax is melted away, holes are made in the teeth so the material can attach to it. A liquid separator is added to the plaster layer to stop the acrylic from sticking to it. Acrylic is then injected into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7: The plaster is carefully removed using special lab tools to reveal the denture. The acrylic dentures are placed in an ultrasonic bath to remove any remaining plaster. 
• Step 8: Any excess acrylic will be cut from the denture. After trimming, the denture will be polished to perfection.
• Step 9: Now that it’s ready, it’s time for you to return to the office for a fitting. Adjustments will be made if necessary to ensure everything is working properly and smoothly.

Learn More About All-on-4 Dental Implants

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

You may feel some slight discomfort when you first get your new dentures. The good news is that this is completely temporary. With a little bit of time, your mouth will adjust to dentures, and they’ll feel very similar to natural teeth. During your adjustment period, remember to stick to softer foods and exercise your facial muscles. If the discomfort persists, give us a call so we can help!

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

In order to put together your personalized estimate, we’ll take several important factors into account, such as:

• Whether or not you need any preliminary treatments such as gum disease therapy or a tooth extraction before being fitted for dentures.
• The materials your dentures will be made of. We use the highest-quality materials to ensure your new smile is reliable, natural-looking and long lasting.
• What type of denture you’re interested in, since partial dentures, full dentures, and implant dentures will all naturally come at their own price points.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

If you’re looking for the next best option to natural teeth when rebuilding your smile, there’s no better option than implant dentures. Their foundation within your jawbone gives them unmatched strength and comfort, and they will never slip or slide around in your mouth. However, it is important to keep in mind that implant dentures cost more time and money than their traditional counterparts. Many patients find the end results well-worth the investment, and studies show that implant dentures may save you money in the long run. We’ll help you decide which option is best for you during your consultation.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

In most cases, dental insurance companies classify dentures as a “major procedure,” which typically earns them 50% coverage. However, policies may vary slightly depending on the details of your unique plan. To learn more about your coverage, you can call your insurance provider or one of our knowledgeable team members. We can help you confirm your benefits before treatment starts, so there are no unpleasant surprises when the time comes to pay for your dentures.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? Dissatisfied with your coverage? Not to worry! You can still make your dentures affordable with the help of Wells Fargo Financing. Qualifying patients can choose from several low- to no-interest payment plans that don’t have any surprise fees or unexpected charges. Instead, you can simply get started on your new smile right away, and then pay for your dentures in smaller chunks that easily fit into your monthly budget. To apply for Wells Fargo Financing, feel free to visit our website or give us a call.

Removeable Dentures

Remove After Eating

To keep your dentures clean, remove and rinse them after every meal. Not doing so will lead to food debris and plaque buildup in your mouth. Should that happen, you’d have an increased risk of gum disease and other infections.

For the rinse, avoid using hot water. Its heat can warp denture material, causing the prosthetics not to fit.

Clean Your Restoration

Like natural teeth, your dentures need to be cleaned daily. Every morning and night, then, you should take them out for a special brushing.

When brushing the appliance, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of hand soap. Regular toothpaste won’t work, as its abrasiveness will wear away the dentures. From there, place the restoration(s) in a water or denture solution container. The solution shouldn’t be in your mouth, so always rinse the prosthetics before putting them back in your mouth.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

If you don’t already know, dentures can easily get damaged once out of your mouth. It’s thus a good idea to keep them safe in such cases.

There are a few ways you could go about that task. For example, you could place a towel underneath the dentures if you drop them. Another approach is to store the prosthetics outside the reach of kids and pets.

Remove When You Sleep

Remember to take your dentures out when you go to bed at night. Wearing them to sleep causes oral problems.

For one thing, doing so restricts your gums’ circulation. That restriction can result in soft-tissue irritation if it persists too long. On the other hand, sleeping without dentures gives your mouth time to recover.

Sleeping with dentures also raises your risk of gum and tongue plaque. Therefore, you’re better off keeping the restorations in a soaking solution overnight. They could dry out if you don’t, losing their shape in the process.

Notice Changes

Finally, keep an eye out for changes in your mouth or dentures. That way, you can address them with your dentist.

Problem signs regarding your mouth are straightforward. Namely, they could be anything that points to declining oral health – mouth sores, gum irritation, infection symptoms, etc.

Call your dentist if your dentures suffer damage or fit properly. They can make repairs better than you could on your own. Similarly, a dentist could reline or replace the prosthetics for a better fit.