Dentures – Mesquite, TX
Quick and Effective Tooth Replacement through Dentures!
Dentures have been used for hundreds of years and for good reason. Not only do they help people restore their smile, but make basic tasks possible again. Fast forward to today and you’ve got dentures that are more functional and aesthetically pleasing than ever before. By getting a denture today, you can regain a natural-looking appearance and improve your diet all at an affordable price. Dr. Rana is more than happy to go over your options and help you decide which one is right for you! Contact the office today!
Why Choose TrueCare for Dentures?
- Replace multiple teeth or an entire arch
- Fit them with dental implants for a superior feel and function
- Get the most natural-looking dentures to date
What are Dentures?
Dentures are dental prosthetics made from a combination of either acrylic or metal and porcelain. The gum-colored base is typically made from acrylic to create a more natural appearance. The teeth are made from porcelain because of how it looks and reflects light much like natural enamel. When replacing teeth, dentures can be used in both the upper and lower arch, making it easier to speak, eat and smile again. They can be held in place either through natural suction or through implants placed in the jaw.
Your Options for Dentures
Over the years, dentures have become more and more advanced not just in appearance, but versatility as well. Take a moment to consider your options below to help you determine which denture is best for you.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures work to replace multiple teeth at a time, typically when a dental bridge is not enough. For example, they can replace multiple consecutive teeth on opposite sides of the mouth. Instead of being held in place through natural suction, this denture is built with metal hooks that wrap around other teeth.
Full Dentures
Full or complete dentures work to replace an entire arch simultaneously. They typically use a gum-colored base while partial dentures use one made from metal.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Implant-retained dentures take tooth replacement another step further. These dentures are customized to fit on top of implants placed inside the jawbone. They are ideal for creating a more stable foundation, making basic tasks even easier than before.
How Dentures Are Made
After you decide to get dentures, you can start looking forward to using your new teeth to chew, smile, and speak with confidence. Before that happens, though, your dentures will need to be custom-made to fit your unique oral structures. What happens during the denture-making process? Continue reading below to learn some details about how your prosthetic will come into the world. What you discover might just enhance your appreciation for your new smile!
What Are Dentures Made Of?
Dentures have two main parts: the base and the teeth.
- The base of dentures is usually made out of a pink-colored acrylic. Acrylic is durable and can be custom-crafted to fit a patient’s unique gum shape. For some partial dentures, small metal clips are attached to the acrylic base to help the prosthetic stay in place. In rare cases, nylon or other materials are used instead of acrylic.
- The teeth of dentures are usually constructed of acrylic or porcelain. Porcelain is more common for patients who need a full set of top and bottom dentures. However, if you still have some of your natural teeth left, you may get acrylic teeth because they tend to cause less damage when they contact natural tooth enamel.
The Denture Creation Process
The denture creation process can vary slightly from case to case, but it usually goes something like this:
- Our team will take a detailed impression of your remaining teeth and gums. You will have to bite down on a special putty material so we can capture an accurate representation of your oral structures. We may also take some measurements of your jaw.
- We will send the impression to a dental laboratory. The laboratory will use the impression of your teeth to create a wax version of your gumline. A mechanical device called an articular will then attach artificial teeth to the wax model.
- We will make sure your dentures fit. The lab may send us the wax model so we can verify that it fits you. We will send notes about any necessary adjustments so the lab can finish making your prosthetic.
- You will get to enjoy your new teeth. Once your dentures are ready, we will check their fit one last time before we send you off so you can start adjusting to your restored smile.
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
It can take a few weeks to adjust to a new denture. In the meantime, your gums might feel a bit sore, and you may notice a slight lisp when you speak. Such issues should go away as you get used to using your prosthetic. Eating soft foods, practicing your speech, and other simple measures may speed up the adjustment process.
If you experience any prolonged discomfort or other causes for concern, give us a call. We will do all we can to assist you.
The Benefits of Dentures
There’s no question that being without teeth is difficult. When you lack pearly whites, various everyday tasks – speaking, eating, smiling, etc. – become demanding. Still, you can trust dentures to solve the situation handily. These restorations’ perks would greatly improve your quality of life! As for what these benefits of dentures are, TrueCare Dentistry is happy to explain. Just keep reading to learn all about them, or call our office for details.
Psychological Benefits
Tooth loss can be pretty hard to accept. When you’ve lived much of your life with a full smile, lacking one is unnerving. The scenario thus tends to diminish your self-esteem and body image. From there, you can quickly feel anxious or sullen in social settings. You might even feel profoundly sad or depressed.
Thankfully, dentures let you avoid these emotions. Their ability to restore your smile inspires self-confidence and a lighter mood. You’d then be more at ease among friends and family, calm about your looks, speech, eating ability, and more.
Clearer Enunciation
If you’re missing teeth, speaking isn’t easy. Each tooth in your mouth positions your lips and tongue for speech. As such, even lacking a few will make words hard to pronounce. There’s also a good chance you’ll develop a speech impediment.
Luckily, you can trust dentures to act as substitute teeth. They’ll support your tongue and lips for speech. That said, do note that you must adjust to them first. It takes practice to speak with dentures naturally.
Improves Nutrition
As you might know, it’s tricky to eat meals without all your teeth. A full set of pearly whites lets you chew even the toughest products. Consequently, missing any can lead to restrictions in your diet. You might feel the need to exclude foods with tough textures. Should that happen, though, you’ll likely suffer malnutrition or indigestion.
All that said, dentures can (and do) prevent these outcomes. Their artificial teeth chew food about as well as natural ones. Given that fact, the prosthetics will widen your dietary choices to ensure your nutritional health.
Preserves Oral Health
Aside from worsening your looks, tooth loss also harms your oral health. It causes smile gaps that let harmful bacteria breed. Worse yet, these spaces tug on your surrounding teeth. This pulling process can then tilt your pearly whites until they fall out.
Of course, dentures will protect oral health by “filling in” the gaps. This action keeps nasty germs from growing freely. Simultaneously, closing the spaces stops your teeth from tilting.
Expands Opportunities
To make a good first impression, you need a pretty smile. It’s a simple fact of life – people notice your grin before your other features. Therefore, gleaming teeth will strengthen your bonds and opportunities with friends, family, and acquaintances.
As it happens, you can count on dentures for a gorgeous grin. The prosthetics’ teeth use acrylic to look lifelike and blend seamlessly. In doing so, they’ll expand your opportunities with various peers. They might even help you land a promotion or raise at work!
Caring for Your Dentures
While dentures don’t take long to make, they do require sufficient care and maintenance to last. To keep your denture in good condition, make sure to:
- Brush them twice a day with a dedicated toothbrush
- Let them soak in cool water when not in use
- Use a denture cleanser to loosen food debris
- Place a towel in your sink as you clean them in case of accidental drops
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
The cost of dentures largely varies depending on your needs. However, they are largely affordable compared to other tooth replacement options. During your initial consultation, you will be able to discuss exactly how much you can expect to pay to restore the health and function of your smile. But until then, here are some of the things that you should keep in mind.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
There are three main factors that contribute to the overall cost of your treatment.
- The preparation before the denture can be worn will add to the cost. For example, if you need gum disease therapy or a tooth extraction ahead of time, these will contribute to the overall price.
- The materials used for the base and replacement teeth influence the price. The base is generally made from acrylic while replacement teeth can be made from acrylic or porcelain.
- The number of teeth that you are needing to have replaced.
Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better when it comes to tooth replacement. Budget dentures are much more likely to become damaged and require frequent repairs and replacements. If you’re looking for optimal function and appearance, investing in quality dentures is a must.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Yes, implant dentures do tend to cost more than traditional dentures. Instead of being supported by the function and shape of gum tissue, implant dentures are held in place by a series of dental implants that are put directly into the jawbone. This allows for many additional benefits, including a more lifelike appearance and having additional stability. You don’t need to worry about having your dentures replaced every 5 to 7 years either, as they are made to be long-lasting.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Most dental insurance plans will provide some level of coverage when it comes to dentures – usually up to 50%. However, this will vary depending on the plan that you have. At TrueCare Dentistry, we are in-network with a long list of plans from many of the most popular providers. Our friendly team knows how to get the most out of your benefits!
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. Talk to our skilled team so we can look at all of your options for making the cost of dentures fit into your budget. We’re here to help make getting dental care as easy and stress-free as possible.
To learn more about how much you can expect dentures to cost you, schedule an initial consultation with us. We’re eager to help you get your smile back!
Dentures FAQs
Learning all about the different types of dentures, the benefits they come with, and the cost is an important first step in determining whether this tooth-replacement option is right for you. However, if you still have a few questions on your mind before committing to treatment, we want to help! To make the research process as seamless and stress-free as possible, we’ve responded to some of the most frequently asked questions below. On the other hand, if you’d prefer to speak directly with our team, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Can I Eat Normally With Dentures?
Thanks to the high-quality materials and custom fit, you will be able to eat normally. With that being said, it may take some time to adjust, especially if this is your first set of dentures. For that reason, we recommend starting slow with soft foods, like yogurt and soup. Once you’ve begun to master maneuvering them, you can work your way back up to your normal diet. Just make sure to avoid hard candy, tough meat, and gum, which all have the potential to compromise your prosthetic.
Should I Sleep in My Dentures?
In theory, you can sleep with your dentures. However, both your gums and your prosthetic teeth need some time to rest, which is why we typically recommend taking them out at night. After you’ve completed your oral hygiene routine, but before you turn off the light and get into bed, place your dentures in a glass of water or dentist-recommended cleaner to soak overnight. Not only will this preserve their shape, but it will ensure they are fresh and ready to go the following morning.
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Have My Dentures Replaced?
Dentures are incredibly lifelike and extremely durable, but they aren’t meant to last a lifetime. Any damage they sustain, even if it is a small crack, shouldn’t be ignored. Instead, contact our team right away so we can have them repaired or replaced. Your dentures will also be inspected and adjusted at your six-month dental checkups and cleanings, which ensures we can keep an eye on their condition. Once they are no longer serving your smile or your bite properly, we will recommend having them replaced.
How Much Pain Is Involved With Getting Dentures?
Since many patients are apprehensive about the pain surrounding their treatment, it’s not surprising that this is one of the most common questions. The answer is that it varies from patient to patient. For example, those who undergo an extraction beforehand will likely experience soreness, especially around the tooth that was removed. With that being said, many patients only experience minor irritation, which typically goes away within a couple of weeks.
Interested in learning more about dentures? Ready to schedule your initial consultation? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We would love to serve you and your smile!