Dentures – Pea Ridge, AR

Effects of Missing Teeth

As you give thought to dentures, try to review tooth loss’ causes and effects. Doing so will help you grasp how treatment could help your smile.

For instance, note that people can lose teeth for many reasons. Plaque may cause your tooth to decay until it falls out or needs an extraction treatment. On the other hand, a person could suffer gum disease that loosens their teeth by eroding their jaw and gums. There’s also the chance that someone has an accident or injury that knocks their teeth out.

Meanwhile, the effects of tooth loss tend to be harsh but consistent. Perhaps the most obvious one is that many everyday actions – smiling, speaking, eating, etc. – become harder. Similarly, lacking teeth leads to smile gaps that erode your jaw’s tissue. This process will trigger facial collapse and further tooth loss if it’s left unchecked.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

To qualify for dentures, most patients only need to suffer from tooth loss. There aren’t many other requirements that a prospective patient has to meet. Still, please keep a few things in mind.

One is that a good denture candidate needs decent oral health. If a patient’s gums and jaw are too weak, they’ll lack the strength to support the final restoration. However, having sensitive or decayed teeth isn’t a disqualifier. The truth is that dentures can easily replace these parts of your smile.

Also, the number of teeth lost affects your final treatment. This final tally will determine which of the two types of dentures you get. The first is a partial model, which only replaces a few of your teeth at a time. Option two is a full denture – a device that replaces all the teeth along a patient’s arch.

Lastly, don’t forget to take finances into account. Dentures happen to be the cheapest of the standard tooth replacement options. For that reason, they’re particularly ideal for patients with limited funds.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If we conclude you don’t qualify for dentures, please don’t panic. Peak Dental Care has two other methods to restore a patient’s grin. They are:

• Dental Bridges – A dental bridge is a restoration made of two crowns fused to an artificial tooth. Given this setup, it’s cemented between nearby teeth that act as abutments (i.e., supports). A dentist must remove enamel from the abutments to place the device.
• Dental Implants – Dental implants are small titanium posts that a dentist sets in your jaw. Once placed, they fuse with your jawbone’s tissue until they become fully secure. They’re then capped with dental crowns so they blend with your smile.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

Psychological Benefits

Many people struggle with the sudden changes to their reflection and skills that come with tooth loss. In fact, people with spaces in their smiles are more likely to develop anxiety or depression from being overly concerned about how others might judge their dental condition. If you’re afraid of how you’ll be perceived, you’re more likely to avoid social interactions with others or remain tight-lipped instead of joining meals or conversations.

Fortunately, once your dentures are in place, you’ll look and feel like yourself again, so you won’t feel so self-conscious when you’re with other people.

Clearer Enunciation

Your teeth are critical in your ability to converse because you press your tongue against them in specific ways to form different sounds and words. When they go missing, you might develop a lisp or other changes to your speech patterns that make it difficult to be understood when you’re talking.

Dentures act as artificial teeth so that you can enunciate words more clearly. However, it can take about a month for your tongue and supporting muscles in your mouth to fully acclimate to the presence of your restoration. You can ease this transition by practicing speaking or reading aloud slowly at home to learn how to speak around it.

Improves Nutrition

You rely on a complete set of teeth to thoroughly grind your food so it can be easily swallowed and digested. Many nutritious foods, like chewy meats or raw fruits and veggies, are necessary to support your overall health but are difficult to bite and chew with gaps in your grin. As a result, some patients who are missing teeth develop gastrointestinal problems from swallowing overly large pieces, or even malnutrition.

Wearing dentures restores some of your chewing power so you can enjoy more wholesome foods to support your general and overall well-being.

Preserves Oral Health

Gaps in your grin can also detract from your dental condition because any remaining teeth in your mouth are likely to shift out of alignment to fill in the empty spaces. This can wear down your enamel in ways that weren’t intended, increasing your vulnerability to cavities, gum disease, or injuries.

Wearing dentures ensures that everything remains in its rightful position to preserve your oral health.

Expands Opportunities

One of the first things people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if yours is full of gaps, you are less likely to make a good impression. If you have an upcoming job interview, first date, reunion, or other momentous occasion, looking and feeling your best increases your chances of success.

Replacing your lost teeth with dentures can lead to enhanced opportunities at work, more meaningful relationships, and a more engaging social life.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Whether partial or full, all dentures consist of two main components: the base and the artificial teeth. These essential parts give the denture structure, functionality, and a natural appearance. Here’s a closer look at each:

• Denture Base – The base is the foundation that supports the artificial teeth and is typically crafted from materials like acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal. Most full and partial dentures use acrylic bases, although nylon is an effective alternative.
• Artificial Teeth – As the tooth-replacing sections of the denture, the artificial teeth are made from enamel-colored resin or porcelain, providing a realistic look that blends seamlessly with your smile.

The Denture Creation Process

Our team will start by taking detailed impressions and images of your mouth, which we send to a specialized laboratory to create your custom dentures. At the lab, technicians then follow this step-by-step process to craft your dentures:

• Step 1: Using the impressions and scans, they create a plaster model replica of your mouth. This model helps ensure the dentures will fit properly.
• Step 2: A wax gum line is added to the plaster model.
• Step 3: Artificial teeth are placed into the wax gums with an articulator, which helps shape and position the teeth. The technician carves the base to resemble the soft tissue in your mouth.
• Step 4: The wax version is sent back to us for an initial fitting, allowing us to note any necessary adjustments before finalization.
• Step 5: The dentures are placed in a flask, which is heated to melt away the wax.
• Step 6: Small holes are made in the pontics for the acrylic to attach, and a liquid separator is added to prevent sticking. Acrylic is then injected into the flask, filling the areas where wax once was.
• Step 7: The plaster is carefully removed piece by piece, revealing your dentures. They are then placed in an ultrasonic bath for a thorough cleaning.
• Step 8: Any excess acrylic is trimmed away, and the dentures are polished for a natural-looking finish.
• Step 9: The completed dentures are sent back to us, and we’ll schedule your final fitting.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It’s normal for your mouth to feel sore when you first get dentures – your mouth simply needs time to adjust to your new teeth. After a few weeks, your dentures will start to feel natural and comfortable, without causing any discomfort.

There are ways to speed up this adjustment period. For example, strengthening your facial muscles can help them better support your dentures. Eating soft foods initially and using dental adhesive can also make the transition smoother and more comfortable.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

There are multiple factors that can play a role in the cost of your dentures. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

• Preparation: If you need a preliminary procedure, like a tooth extraction or gum disease treatment before you are able to get dentures, you should consider these costs as well.
• Materials: Dentures can be made from multiple different materials, and they are all priced differently.
• Type of Denture: If you are getting a partial denture, this will likely cost less than a full denture. Implant dentures are priced higher, as they require a surgical procedure.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Yes, implants dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures. This is because the dental implants need to be surgically placed into the jawbone. This technique allows for numerous additional benefits. Implant dentures are made to be permanent, and they are more stable than traditional dentures. You don’t need to worry about shifting, slipping, clicking, or cutting out foods either. Dental implants are an investment in the future of your smile, and this investment pays off over time.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

In the majority of cases, dental insurance companies consider dentures to be a “major restorative procedure, so dental insurance plans generally cover them at about 50% of their cost. At Peak Dental Care, we are proud to be in-network with Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and MetLife. We are happy to accept and file claims on your behalf. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be left completely on your own. We accept payments through CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the cost of your treatment or your financial options, feel free to give us a call!