Millions of Americans suffer from extensive tooth loss. If you’re a part of that group, you know from experience how much it can affect your quality of life. Not only does it impact your appearance, but the way you bite and speak as well. Fortunately, dentures in East Longmeadow are an excellent way to rebuild your smile and restore your confidence! And the best part? They don’t require oral surgery or dental bridgework on your remaining teeth. To learn more about this tooth-replacement solution, continue reading or schedule a consultation with our team today!
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
You may be a good dentures candidate in East Longmeadow, whether you lack a few teeth or many. With these restorations in place, you wouldn’t have to worry about missing favorite foods, having trouble speaking, or feeling embarrassed about your grin. That said, you’ll need to consult one of our dentists to confirm if dentures might work for you. To learn more about this vetting process, just keep reading or call our office for details.
Effects of Missing Teeth
When assessing you for dentures, our team will guide you through the causes and effects of tooth loss. Doing so will help you see how prosthetic teeth can protect your health.
As it happens, people lose teeth for a great many reasons. For example, a tooth can decay so much that it falls out or needs extraction. Gum disease, meanwhile, may wear down the bone and tissue that secure your pearly whites. Of course, you might also get teeth knocked out due to an accident or physical injury.
Regardless, going without chompers has consistently harsh consequences. Everyday tasks like eating, speaking, and smiling will get harder. Furthermore, untreated smile gaps will cause your jaw to degrade. That latter process could then trigger a facial collapse face. Perhaps worst of all, the same spaces might result in yet more tooth loss.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
In most cases, patients can qualify for dentures if they lack teeth. However, there are other factors worth considering.
Consider oral health, for instance. Aside from helping with missing chompers, dentures can also replace sensitive or decaying teeth. On the other hand, they only work if the patient’s gum and jaw tissues are healthy enough. As such, an ideal candidate must properly commit to dental care.
How many teeth you lack is also a concern. Depending on the number, you’ll need one of two possible denture types. A partial model, per its name, is best for replacing a few teeth. In contrast, a full kind is preferable when all pearly whites along an arch are gone.
Lastly, finances also play a role in treatment decisions. After all, dentures are cheaper than other restorations. The result is that they’re ideal for patients on a budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If you aren’t a good candidate for dentures, that’s okay; we have additional options. In particular, EMA Dental has two other tooth-replacement procedures you could try. These include:
Dental Bridges – Dental bridges are fixed restorations, usually made of crowns fused to a pontic. Consequently, they need nearby healthy teeth to support themselves.
Dental Implants – Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are prosthetics placed in your jawbone. They thus fuse with your mouth over time. Said fusion makes them secure, permanent, and pricey compared to alternative options.
The first step on your journey towards a complete smile is a consultation with our team at EMA Dental. At your appointment, we’ll discuss your available options and explain in detail your proposed treatment plan. Depending on your case, our team will suggest one of the following:
Partial Dentures
Do you only have a few missing teeth? If so, partial dentures may be the right option for you. The gum-colored base and artificial teeth are custom-made to blend seamlessly with your smile. Once partials are attached to the clasp on your remaining teeth, they’ll complete your grin and restore a fully functioning bite.
Full Dentures
A full denture includes an upper and lower set. The upper denture covers the palate, along with the gums, and is a flesh-colored acrylic material. The lower denture is a “U” shape that allows the tongue to function normally, and it is made of plastic and porcelain.
Implant Dentures
At EMA Dental, we’ll sometimes recommend an implant-retained denture for patients who need a more secure fit since it is attached to dental implants. Whether the dentures are removable or not, they do need to be replaced over time. After the original teeth are extracted, the jaw and gums slowly adjust, and with enough time, a new set of dentures are needed for a better fit. Everyday use also wears down the dentures.
How Dentures Are Made
There’s no such thing as “one size fits all” when it comes to dentures. Each one needs to be carefully personalized so that it fits properly in a specific patient’s mouth and allows them to enjoy a natural-looking new smile. What materials are used to make dentures? And what are the steps involved in creating them? You can discover the answers to these questions below before you commit to getting dentures.
A denture has two main parts: the base and the artificial teeth.
Denture Base: The base is used to support the artificial teeth. It can be made out of a variety of materials; acrylic is a particularly popular option (especially for full dentures) due to how easily it can be designed to blend in with the gums. For partial dentures, it’s very common to use an acrylic base along with metal clips.
Artificial Teeth: The artificial teeth attached to the denture base are meant to look as natural as possible. For this reason, they are often made out of porcelain, which closely resembles enamel. Generally speaking, it’s better to use porcelain teeth for full dentures as opposed to partial ones; this is because porcelain can be somewhat abrasive on any remaining natural teeth.
The Denture Creation Process
Creating a beautiful, reliable denture takes several steps, as follows:
We’ll take impressions to create a model of your mouth. This is to help make sure the final denture is the right size.
The model is sent to a dental laboratory so that the creation process can begin. Experts will create a wax version of your gumline.
Artificial teeth are placed in the wax using a device called an articulator. The wax might be slightly reshaped so that it matches your gums as closely as possible.
The wax denture is sent to our dental office so that we can make sure it fits correctly. If it does, we’ll send it back to the lab to move the process forward. (Keep in mind that you will be wearing temporary dentures while waiting for the final product.)
The dentures will need to be boiled to get rid of any wax. They will then be placed in a flask that will be filled with plaster. Hot water will be used to melt the dentures while the plaster helps them maintain their shape.
After making holes in the teeth, acrylic is injected into the flask. The acrylic will take the place of the wax in the structure of the dentures.
The plaster is removed, and your newly completed dentures are cleaned with an ultrasonic bath.
After making a few slight adjustments, the experts at the lab will polish the dentures before sending them back to our office.
Finally, you’ll be able to return to our practice so that you can have your new dentures fitted.
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
It usually takes a while to get used to wearing new dentures. Your mouth will likely be somewhat sore, and you might have trouble speaking and eating at first. But after you have had time to adjust, your prosthesis should feel very natural in your mouth.
The Benefits of Dentures
For decades now, dentures have been considered one of the most popular methods of tooth replacement – and there’s a good reason for that. There are many benefits you can reap with this solution, from an improved chewing ability to a boost in your social and professional interactions. Here are some of the prominent advantages you can enjoy with dentures.
There are a variety of negative psychological impacts when it comes to missing some or all of your teeth. With one or multiple visible gaps, you’re likely to feel self-conscious and hide your smile. In many cases, you may find it nearly impossible to comfortably engage in interpersonal activities without some worry. With dentures, you can renew your bite and feel free to show off a beautiful set of pearly whites that you can be proud of. You’ll also reduce any anxieties about your appearance, speech, eating, and more.
Clearer Enunciation
Did you know that it’ll be more difficult to speak clearly without some or all of your teeth? To pronounce certain words requires positioning your lips and tongue properly against them. If you’re struggling with tooth loss, getting dentures can help you speak and enunciate more clearly. It can take some time to get used to your prosthetics, but some practice and repetition can go a long way.
Improves Nutrition
Some foods can be more difficult to chew, including vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. To improve your ability to munch on your favorite meals, dentures can be an ideal solution. Not only will they help you regain a significant amount of your natural biting power, but they’ll also expand your dietary choices and lower the risk of complications like malnutrition and indigestion. You’ll be better able to consume the types of foods that can provide essential nutrients for optimal oral and overall health.
Preserves Oral Health
Tooth loss can typically cause any other remaining natural teeth to move out of position to fill in the gap. By replacing your missing pearly whites with dentures, you can help support and preserve your existing ones. Your prosthetics can also bear some of the pressure of everyday chewing, minimizing the wear and tear of your natural teeth.
Expands Opportunities
Whether you’re preparing for a job interview or going on a first date, your smile is one of the most important parts of your initial impression. For this reason, if you have missing teeth, dentures can offer a simple, effective, and relatively quick method for completing your grin. Furthermore, others may perceive you as more outgoing and attractive due to the boost in confidence that you’ll feel from renewing your smile.
Denture Aftercare
In general, you can count on dentures to fully restore your smile. Still, this fact doesn’t mean they don’t need upkeep. Dentures require regular care and solid oral health to work properly. Otherwise, these prosthetic teeth will cause more problems than they solve. We at EMA Dental, fortunately, have some helpful guidance: you’ll find vital tips below on caring for dentures in East Longmeadow. Just keep reading to learn about them or call us for details.
For starters, remove and rinse your dentures after meals. This action stops food debris and plaque from building up. As a result, you’re less likely to have oral health issues.
If there’s a major rule to these rinses, it’s not to use hot water for them. High temperatures tend to warp denture material. Given this fact, a hot water rinse could make your dentures fit improperly.
Clean Your Restoration
Aside from post-meal rinses, dentures also need once-daily cleanings. Harmful germs could cling to your prosthetic teeth without them.
Unlike natural teeth, removable dentures should be out of your mouth for cleaning. From there, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and some hand or dish soap. Don’t include standard toothpaste, as its abrasiveness can damage dentures.
As time allows, wrap things up by soaking your dentures in a cleansing solution. You can then rinse them before putting them back in your mouth.
Keep Your Dentures Safe
Unfortunately, dentures aren’t invincible or invulnerable; they can break with enough force. So, do what you can to keep them safe.
There are several approaches you could take for this step. You could use a towel during cleaning, with the cloth protecting your restorations from falls. On the other hand, perhaps store your dentures away from kids or pets. These groups could break your new teeth with roughhousing.
Remove Dentures When You Sleep
While dentures can replace natural teeth, you shouldn’t wear them to bed. They weren’t designed for prolonged, overnight use. Therefore, remember to take them about before sleeping at night. You could even store them in a denture-soaking solution.
The reality is that overnight denture use is bad for your health. It often restricts your gums’ circulation, leading to soft-tissue irritation. The habit will also increase your mouth’s plaque levels, as well as increase your pneumonia risk.
Notice Changes
While dentures can replace natural teeth, you shouldn’t wear them to bed. They weren’t designed for prolonged, overnight use. Therefore, remember to take them about before sleeping at night. You could even store them in a denture-soaking solution.
The reality is that overnight denture use is bad for your health. It often restricts your gums’ circulation, leading to soft-tissue irritation. The habit will also increase your mouth’s plaque levels, as well as increase your pneumonia risk.
All-on-4 Dentures
Naturally, all-on-4 dentures work differently from removable ones. They thus require unique care steps. In particular, these are:
Daily Brushing – As you would natural teeth, brush your dentures twice daily with a toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
Daily Flossing – Remember to floss your dentures once daily, whether with the regular string, threaders, or water flossers.
Daily Rinses – To prevent the growth of tarter, rinse your mouth with mouthwash daily.
Cleaning the Between Spaces – Use a sulcus brush to clean between denture teeth and your gums.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Ahead of receiving your new denture, you’re likely wondering how much you can expect it to cost. The most important factors that affect your final price include the complexity of your tooth loss and your specific preferences. During your evaluation, we’ll be able to provide a more detailed estimate of your future tooth replacement. In the meantime, we encourage you to take a moment to learn more about the factors that affect denture cost on our website.
Three of the most notable factors that affect the cost of dentures include the following:
Preparations made ahead of time (i.e. removal of damaged teeth, gum disease therapy, tooth decay treatment, etc.)
Acrylic materials used for the denture (specifically refers to the gum portion of the denture)
Materials used for the teeth (can be made from either acrylic or porcelain, with the latter being more expensive)
Keep in mind that getting the cheapest denture out there is not the most ideal solution. For something that’s going to be used regularly (as well as be inside your mouth), quality restorations are key to a higher quality of life!
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
In general, implant dentures will cost more than traditional dentures because of the additional materials, steps, and expertise necessary to receive them. For example, dental implants require surgical placement of titanium posts into the jaw as well as detailed planning prior to surgery to ensure the most successful outcome possible. Because the implants prevent the denture from slipping and shifting out of place, they allow for a wider diet, better speech, and the most natural smile possible. They also last much longer on average than a standard denture, averaging about 30+ years of use (compared to dentures, which require replacement every 5 to 7 years).
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Dentures are considered a “major” procedure by most dental insurance companies, which means they often receive coverage. However, this coverage is only partial in most cases, capping out at around 50% from a majority of plans. Even then, this rate will largely fluctuate depending on the plan and the provider. Our team will be prepared to help patients go over their specific benefits before treatment begins, so you can know what costs to expect ahead of time.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If you do not have dental insurance at this time, there are other options available to you that can make your tooth replacement more affordable. One option that many patients consider is third-party financing through plans from CareCredit. After signing up, you can make payments on your dental treatment over a longer period of time, often times with little to no interest attached. If you’d like to learn more about your options, we encourage you to schedule a consultation to speak with our team.
Denture FAQs
Dentures in East Longmeadow and Northampton have been used for generations to rebuild beautiful smiles. However, they are a big investment. We understand you might have some apprehensions, but we will explain everything to ease your concerns during your denture consultation. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions.
Should I have all my teeth removed to get dentures?
We always strive to preserve your natural teeth, but there are situations when it’s best to have them removed before getting dentures. Your denture dentist in East Longmeadow and Northampton will examine your mouth to ensure your reaming teeth can be salvaged. If they are beyond repair, you will probably need to have them removed. In some cases, it can be more cost-effective to have them extracted than repaired. There’s not a limit to the number that can be extracted in one appointment. Don’t worry, your dentist will explain everything at your consultation to make the best decision for your smile.
Can I sleep with my dentures?
You’ll be advised to wear your new teeth for 24 hours after receiving them, but then you’ll need to remove them at night. Although no one wants to be caught without their teeth, your gums need a break to stay healthy. Your dentures will restrict blood circulation to the soft tissues, which can lead to sores, inflammation, and infection if you don’t remove them before bed. Not to mention, your mouth is dark and moist, creating the perfect environment for harmful oral bacteria. Removing your dentures allows you to clean them well to keep your mouth healthy. You will also ensure your denture lasts for many years because oral bacteria can weaken it. Besides cleaning your dentures nightly, place them in a soaking solution to keep them moist and kill any bacteria left behind by your toothbrush to prevent unpleasant odors.
Will dentures change the shape of my face?
Dentures can turn back the clock to restore a youthful appearance. They’ll support your facial muscles to prevent sagging skin and a sunken look. However, if your dentures don’t fit correctly, your facial muscles may not have adequate support. It’s best to visit your dentist regularly to have your dentures relined to maintain a secure fit. If your dentures begin to slip or irritate your soft tissues, don’t wait to see your denture for adjustments or replacements.
Do I use regular toothpaste to clean my dentures?
You shouldn’t use regular toothpaste to clean your dentures because it can scratch them. Abrasive dental products can create small crevasses that can trap food particles and plaque. Over time, it can damage your replacement teeth and cause them to smell. Not to mention, your pearly whites will lose their vibrancy. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dishwashing liquid or hand soap to clean them. You can also purchase OTC cleaning products designed for denture wearers. Ideally, you should clean your dentures after every meal. If you can’t get to your toothbrush, rinse them with water.
