Dentures Mesquite

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 several 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

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 Dentures

Implant 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.

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 come into contact with 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. 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 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.

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’ll 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, 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 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!

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

Three main factors 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 need 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 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, schedule an initial consultation with us. We’re eager to help you get your smile back!