What Is a Denture?
A denture is a treatment option for patients who cannot comfortably afford a fixed tooth replacement option. Dentures are removable appliances that you take in and out of your mouth. You wear them during the day and remove them at night. A fixed option, on the other hand, would typically involve dental implants supporting a permanent prosthesis.
Who Can Help With Dentures?
Most general dentists with training and experience in dentures can help you determine which type of denture is best suited for your individual needs and treatment goals.
When Are Dentures Recommended?
Dentures are typically recommended when a patient is missing many teeth or has no natural teeth remaining and a fixed treatment option is not the best fit financially or clinically.
What Are the Types of Dentures?
There are several types of dentures. If a patient has no remaining natural teeth, they receive complete dentures. If they still have some healthy teeth, they may be a candidate for partial dentures, which replace only the missing teeth. There are also implant-supported dentures that attach securely to dental implants for improved stability.
What Materials Are Used to Make Dentures?
Depending on your individual needs, dentures can be made from acrylic, metal, or a combination of acrylic and metal. The materials used depend on your specific treatment plan and the type of denture being fabricated.
What Is the Process for Getting Dentures?
Whether you need complete dentures or partial dentures, the process begins with a comprehensive evaluation. Once it has been determined that dentures are the right treatment option, impressions are taken and sent to the dental laboratory so your custom dentures can be fabricated.
Is Getting Dentures Painful?
Getting dentures themselves is not painful. If teeth need to be removed beforehand, those extractions can cause some temporary discomfort during the healing process. However, if a patient is already completely edentulous, meaning all of their teeth are missing, or no extractions are necessary, anesthesia is generally not needed for the denture fabrication process.
Are Dentures Hard to Get Used To?
It varies from person to person. Some patients adapt to dentures very quickly, while others need more time. We work hard to make dentures look as natural as possible, allowing patients to choose the shade and appearance of their teeth. Even though dentures can look very natural, they are still a foreign object in the mouth, so the adjustment period is different for everyone.
Do Dentures Affect Speech?
For some patients, dentures can temporarily affect speech. There is an adjustment period during which you retrain your tongue and jaw muscles to pronounce sounds normally while wearing your dentures. Some people adapt within a short period of time, while others may need a little longer.
Do Dentures Affect Eating?
Initially, dentures can affect your ability to eat, although drinking is usually less of an issue. Like speaking, chewing requires an adjustment period. Your muscles need time to learn how to stabilize the dentures so you can chew comfortably and more naturally.
How Do You Clean Dentures?
The best way to clean dentures is by using denture cleaning solutions or over-the-counter denture cleaning tablets. You can also use a soft toothbrush with baking soda or a paste made with salt to gently clean them. When they are not being worn, dentures should be stored in a container with a denture cleaning solution.
Should You Wear Dentures at Night?
Our number one recommendation is to remove your dentures before going to bed. Wear them throughout the day, but take them out at night. This gives your gums time to rest and recover from the pressure of chewing, speaking, and wearing the dentures throughout the day.
Before bed, clean your dentures thoroughly, place them in a denture cleaning solution, and allow your gums to rest overnight.
How Long Do Dentures Last?
That depends on the individual. One of the long-term challenges with dentures is that the jawbone naturally changes over time, which can cause dentures to become loose. Some patients wear the same dentures comfortably for 20 or even 30 years, while others may need adjustments or replacement after 5 to 10 years. Every patient is different.
Can Dentures Be Repaired?
In many cases, yes. If a denture chips, cracks, or a tooth breaks, it can often be repaired or replaced. However, if the denture is severely damaged or breaks completely, it may need to be remade.
How Long Does It Take to Heal Before Getting Dentures After Extractions?
If multiple teeth need to be extracted before dentures are made, healing time varies from person to person. Some patients heal within a few weeks, while others may need one to two months before the gums have healed enough to begin the denture fabrication process.
How Much Do Dentures Cost, and Does Insurance Cover Them?
The cost of dentures depends on several factors, including the type of denture, the materials used, and your individual treatment needs. Insurance coverage also varies from plan to plan. Some dental insurance plans may cover 50% to 60% of the cost, while others may provide more or less coverage. Your dental team can help you review your benefits and determine what your specific plan covers.
If you're looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (610) 553-3389 or email [email protected]. We're here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!