Dentures Midlothian

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?

Regardless of the severity of your tooth loss, a custom-made denture can help restore your smile. However, before moving forward with the process, a comprehensive exam with our team is necessary to ensure there are no preexisting dental conditions. For example, if you have gum disease or tooth decay, these issues will be addressed first. Additionally, we’ll determine if any extractions are necessary to create space for your upcoming denture.

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The Effects of Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can have more of an impact on your oral and overall health than you may think. While the most prominent issue caused by gaps in your smile is that it is harder to chew and speak, leaving your smile incomplete can also lead to an increased risk of developing gum disease. Additionally, your teeth are held in place by each other, so when one goes missing, the surrounding teeth may drift to fill the hole in your smile over time, leading to misalignment.

By replacing your missing teeth with full or partial dentures, you can dramatically improve your chewing ability as well as reduce your chances of further tooth loss and dental concerns.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Virtually any patients who are missing either several teeth throughout their arch or an entire row of teeth are good candidates for dentures in Midlothian. However, if you have experienced dramatic jawbone deterioration, you may need a bone graft to help provide your denture with a heartier foundation to rest upon.

The best way to learn whether dentures are right for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chris Long or Dr. Robert Long. During your visit, we can let you know whether any preliminary treatments may be necessary before you can wear your prosthesis, like gum disease treatment or a bone graft.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options to Dentures

If you’re interested in restoring lost teeth, but you aren’t sure that dentures are a good fit for you, our team also offers dental implants. This process is more extensive and lengthier, but it eliminates the need for denture adhesive and can restore up to 80 percent of your natural bite power. This is possible by anchoring your denture or a dental bridge to small titanium posts that are surgically placed within the jawbone to restore the missing root structure of teeth. The strong and stable foundation yields results that look and feel completely natural.

Types of Dentures

Depending on your unique tooth loss situation, we may recommend one of the following types of dentures to enhance both the function and aesthetic of your smile. During your initial consultation, we will thoroughly explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option, ensuring you have a thorough understanding. Additionally, a cost estimate will be outlined to assist you in making an informed decision.

Partial Dentures

True to its name, partial dentures replace only a portion of your teeth. Through the attachment of a clasp to your remaining natural teeth, the gum-colored base and custom prosthetic teeth seamlessly complete your smile. This ensures not only a fully functional, but also an aesthetically pleasing grin.

Full Dentures

For those missing all of their teeth, full dentures are an excellent solution. Much like partials, full dentures have a subtle, gum-colored base and realistic prosthetic teeth. However, this comprehensive dental restoration is typically secured in place using natural suction, denture adhesive, or a combination of both.

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures combine the benefits of traditional dentures with cutting-edge dental implants. Instead of relying on clasps or natural suction for stability, your new smile is affixed to a titanium post surgically implanted directly into your jawbone. This method ensures maximum stability, preventing any undesired movement and providing you with a secure and durable solution.

How are Dentures Made?

Creating dentures is an artistic feat that involves the aesthetic eye and detailed hands of expert lab technicians as well as our dentists. After our team captures a digital impression of your mouth, we’ll send it to our laboratory so they can begin crafting your custom-made replacement teeth.

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What are Dentures Made From?

Full dentures are typically made from two materials, while partial dentures can be made from two or three, depending on the style. The base of the dentures is usually made from a gum-colored acrylic material that is designed to blend in with your gumline. Partial dentures may also have a metal base that clasps to the existing teeth to anchor the prosthetic within the mouth.

The natural-looking replacement teeth are then seated within the acrylic base. These are typically made from resin or ceramic, as they can be matched to the color of surrounding teeth and designed to look great as well as help you chew and speak.

The Denture Creation Process

1. Digital Impression: The denture creation process begins with our team taking a digital impression of your mouth. This is a 3D, photorealistic model that’s 100 percent putty-free and incredibly precise.
2. Model & Carving: Once the laboratory receives our digital impression, they will create wax and plaster models of your teeth.
3. Plaster Mold Injection: After the plaster model is made, it will be injected with liquid separator (to keep the acrylic from sticking to the model) and acrylic.
4. Removal of Plaster: After the mold has set, the plaster will be removed and the replacement teeth will be added to the prosthetic. The denture will be placed into an ultrasonic water bath to remove any remaining bits of plaster.
5. Fit Check: The laboratory will send your denture to us to make sure it fits properly and is up to our standards.
6. Finishing Touches: If any finishing touches are needed, our team will send the denture back with our notes. Once those have been made, our team will receive your final denture and hand them over to you! We’ll show you how to wear, clean, and care for them to make them last.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

After you get your dentures, they might not feel as satisfying and natural as you would have hoped right away. Know that this is normal! It can take up to about 30 days for your mouth and your facial muscles to adjust and get used to your new replacement teeth. To help speed up this process, you can practice reading aloud or saying the alphabet, cut your food up into smaller bite-sized pieces, and let your dentist know if any sores or discomfort develop after the 30-day mark!

The Benefits of Dentures

Dentures are a popular tooth replacement option, and it’s easy to see why! They offer benefits such as:

• Effectively restoring your bite and broadening your dietary choices
• Highly customized for optimal comfort
• Easy cleaning and maintenance
• Capable of preserving the natural shape of your mouth
• Effective in preventing neighboring teeth from shifting
• Potential to last for many years when properly cared for

Understanding the Cost of Dentures

Thinking about rebuilding your smile with dentures? You're likely aware of their popularity and their incredible ability to restore confidence in eating, speaking, and smiling. Of course, the only way to understand the expected cost of this solution is to schedule a consultation with our team. Before your appointment, take a moment to review the information below for insight into what you can expect when it comes to the cost of dentures in Midlothian.

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Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

We understand that cost can be a concern for many patients, but it's important to recognize that the price of dentures varies based on unique factors in each case. Our team takes several details into account when providing a cost estimate. This includes the number of teeth requiring replacement, the type of denture needed (full or partial), the need for any preliminary treatments (such as gum disease treatment or bone grafting), and the choice of materials used in crafting the prosthetics.

Although opting for cheaper alternatives may seem tempting to save a few dollars, it's important to note that these materials may not have the longevity of higher-quality ones offered by our team. Choosing lower-quality options could result in more frequent replacements, ultimately leading to additional expenses over time.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

While implant dentures may come with a higher price tag, you must consider the cost-effectiveness over the long run. Choosing a more permanent prosthetic like implant dentures can lead to big savings. This is because they securely fuse with the jawbone, offering longevity of 30+ years or even a lifetime. Plus, implant dentures provide maximum stability and bite force so that you can enjoy your favorite foods without concerns about slippage.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Yes! It’s very likely that your dental insurance plan will contribute to the cost of your dentures, covering up to 50%. However, the specific coverage can vary based on the company and its individual plans. Our team is here to assist in any way that we can and are more than willing to review your policy details and discuss the extent of your available coverage. This way, you can effectively plan for the financial aspects of your treatment.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

No dental insurance? No problem! There's still an affordable way to get the smile of your dreams. With CareCredit financing, you can minimize upfront costs and distribute the expense of your dentures across several months, making it far more manageable.