Dentures Norwood
Say “Goodbye” to the Gaps in Your Smile!
Are you missing one or more teeth? You know from experience just how much tooth loss can affect your quality of life. Not only does it impact your appearance, but it also affects the way you bite, chew, and speak as well. Fortunately, our team of highly skilled dentists at Central Dental Associates can help you enjoy a full smile once again with dentures in Norwood. If you’re interested in learning more about this method of tooth replacement, simply keep reading or contact our office to schedule a denture consultation.
Why Choose Central Dental Associates for Dentures?
- Three Types of Dentures Used
- Greater Comfort & Fit
- Your Dental Insurance is Welcome
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
It doesn’t really matter how many teeth you’re missing. Nearly anyone can get dentures! First, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with Central Dental Associates so your dentist can determine whether or not you’re eligible for this treatment. If you’re not a good candidate, you can still possibly become one by restoring the health of your gum tissue and bone structure.
Effects of Missing Teeth
There are many reasons you could be missing teeth, including tooth decay, injury, and even gum disease. Unfortunately, failing to replace lost teeth can cause many oral and overall health problems, including jawbone deterioration, facial sagging, speech difficulties, malnutrition, low self-esteem and further tooth loss.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Dentures can be a great option for any patient who has experienced significant tooth loss, sensitive teeth, excessive tooth decay, and who has sufficient healthy gum tissue and jawbone. Getting dentures also requires you to commit to your oral health routine and properly care for your prosthetics and smile.
The number of teeth you’re missing will determine which type of denture is best for you, as there are different options to choose from, including full dentures, partial dentures, and implant dentures. Traditional dentures are generally more affordable than other tooth replacement options, making them an excellent option for patients on a tight budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If you are not a good candidate for dentures, there are several other restoration options you can consider, such as dental bridges and dental implants.
- Dental Bridges: Dental bridges are excellent options for patients who are only missing one or a few of their natural teeth. They do require healthy teeth surrounding the missing tooth or teeth in order to support the bridge.
- Dental Implants: Because titanium posts are permanently inserted into the jawbone, patients must have a solid bone structure to receive this treatment. Dental implants are more expensive than traditional dentures, but because they are permanent, they do not carry with them the same replacement costs that traditional dentures do.
Types of Dentures
The first step on your tooth-replacement journey is a consultation with your dentist in Norwood. At this initial visit, you’ll learn more about your available options and receive a recommended treatment plan if there’s already one. When it comes to dentures, our team will suggest one of the following types for your smile:
Partial Dentures
Do you only have a few missing teeth? Partial dentures may be the right option for you. The gum-colored base and prosthetic teeth are customized to blend seamlessly with your existing smile. The oral appliances are attached to a clasp on your remaining teeth, completing your grin and restoring a gorgeous, fully functioning bite.
Full Dentures
If you’re missing an entire arch, full dentures might be the ideal option for you. Like partials, they have a discreet, gum-colored base and lifelike prosthetic teeth. What makes full dentures different is that they’re held in place with natural suction, denture adhesive, or a combination of both.
Implant Dentures
Since traditional dentures tend to slip and slide after a while, some patients desire a more permanent solution. That’s where implant dentures come in to save the day! Instead of keeping your dentures in place with clasps or natural suction, they’re attached to dental implants, which are titanium posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. With this solution, you can enjoy maximum stability and avoid unwanted movement.
The Benefits of Dentures
There’s a good reason why dentures continue to be one of the most popular solutions for missing teeth. Here are just a few of the many incredible benefits you can reap with this method of tooth replacement:
- Fully customized for every patient
- Maintain a natural-looking appearance
- Preserve a youthful facial structure
- Cost-effective solution for missing teeth
- Regain the ability to eat a healthier diet
- Easy cleaning and maintenance
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
While you may want dentures, perhaps you’re concerned about their (potential) price. Your new teeth won’t do any good if they exceed your budget, after all; they’d cause more problems. That said, the cost of dentures varies from one patient to another. You’ll need to consult our team for a precise estimate, and we can find ways to make your care more affordable. For further details, please keep reading or call us in the coming days.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
As part of your consultation, we’ll perform a close oral exam. This assessment will (among other things) confirm three factors that affect the cost of your dentures, including:
- Preparatory Care – If your smile is in bad shape, you may require preparatory work (gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, etc.) before denture treatment. This “extra” service would elevate your treatment cost.
- Type of Acrylic – The type of acrylic used in a denture will impact its final price. Indeed, the kind used can make treatment more or less costly.
- Type of Artificial Teeth – Your denture’s artificial teeth will also shape its cost. After all, acrylic ones are less expensive while porcelain ones are pricey.
Beyond the points above, please note that cheap dentures use subpar materials. You’d do well to choose moderately-priced ones to ensure your restoration is well-designed.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Though implant dentures cost more upfront than regular ones, don’t look down on them; their elevated price is justified. These prosthetics offer benefits that other types can’t match.
You see, implant dentures utilize dental implants – small metal posts inserted into your jaw. These posts fuse with your jawbone once placed, ensuring the connected device won’t slip or fall. The result is that an implant denture can (and often will) remain secure for a lifetime. This level of stability is priceless, especially when it allows your smile to look and feel lifelike.
At the same time, implant dentures are great long-term investments. Their long lifespans (see above) can reach 30 years or more, so they rarely ever need follow-up care. An implant denture thus saves you money otherwise spent on repairs or replacements.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Dental insurance will typically cover dentures, lowering their price for you. Most plans even view the prosthetics as crucial and cover 50% of their final cost. Just remember – your benefits will only apply if you meet your deductible or maximum first.
Of course, exceptions to the facts above also exist. There’s always a chance your policy will offer limited coverage, no coverage at all, or something in between. You should thus confirm the benefits of your policy before committing to anything; our team can even help you do so.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Thankfully, dentures can be affordable with or without insurance. All you need to do is rely on our practice’s helpful payment options! Given the right one, your restorations will be budget-friendly.
For example, consider our CareCredit financing program. This option allows you to pay for dentures in monthly installments with minimal interest. That way, you could meet the cost of your new teeth gradually instead of all at once.
Hopefully, you can see that dentures don’t need to cost you everything. You can simply visit our office and find ways to make them affordable!
Denture FAQs
Do Dentures Break Easily?
Dentures are designed to be strong and durable, but they do not last forever. With excellent care, your appliance may be able to last between five and seven years before needing replacement. However, dentures are often broken due to being dropped when the patient is cleaning, inserting, or removing them. In some cases, a denture can break due to unseen defects in its base such as scratches and notches. Even if you take excellent care of your dentures, they can wear down due to frequent use and stress.
What Should You Do if Your Dentures Break?
The most serious problem a denture can develop is prosthesis fracture, meaning the base has snapped into two or more parts. While this issue happens more frequently to top dentures, it can happen to bottom ones as well. The way in which your appliance is broken will determine the best way to address the problem, so it’s best to contact our Norwood office as soon as possible when you notice your denture is damaged. Depending on the severity of the problem, we may be able to repair your appliance during the same visit or send it to a trusted dental lab to be adjusted. However, it will eventually be necessary to replace your denture altogether.
Can Dentures Become Ill-Fitting?
Each denture is customized to fit its patient’s mouth, so your appliance should fit amazingly well after you get used to wearing it. However, dentures frequently lose their fit over time due to wear and tear and the changing shape of the jawbones, so your appliance may not work as well after several years of use. Wearing dentures that fit poorly can lead to oral health issues such as gum irritation and infections as well as bad breath and difficulty eating and speaking. If your dentures are no longer comfortable, bring them to our office so we can adjust them appropriately or fit you for a replacement. You can also experiment with adhesive products to help your dentures fit more comfortably between fittings.
Am I Too Young to Get Dentures?
Tooth loss becomes more likely with age since the teeth of older people have endured more years of wear and tear, but the problem is not exclusive to seniors. Dentures can be a suitable tooth replacement solution for adults of any age as long as they have healthy gums and jawbones. About two-thirds of people between the ages of forty and sixty-four and one third of those between twenty and thirty-nine are missing at least one tooth.