Dentures – Schenectady, NY

Effects of Missing Teeth

Whether you have missing teeth due to gum disease, injury, or other circumstances, your condition may have substantial consequences for your daily life. For example, many edentulous (missing all teeth) individuals feel self-conscious in social situations and may tend to isolate themselves. You might also feel a sense of loss because missing teeth limit your food choices.

The good news is that the problems caused by missing teeth are often solvable with the help of dentures, which have the potential to increase your confidence, expand your dietary options, and much more.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

You may be qualified to receive dentures if:

• You have suffered moderate to severe tooth loss. (If you are missing just one or two teeth, a different treatment may be more suitable for you.)
• You want a cost-effective way to rebuild your smile.
• Your jawbone is strong enough to support dentures.
• You are free of active gum disease.

During your consultation, Dr. Page and our team will carefully evaluate your situation and give you an expert opinion on whether dentures are a fit for you.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options

If dentures are not right for you, you might be a candidate for another form of tooth replacement, such as:

• A fixed bridge. A traditional dental bridge consists of two crowns that support one or more artificial teeth between them. Bridges are strong and cost-effective. They are a popular treatment for people who have lost one or more teeth in a row.
• Dental implants. Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots that can be used to support crowns, bridges, and dentures. They are incredibly strong and are often hailed as the gold standard of tooth replacement. Although implants cost more than traditional treatments, they are a great value because they tend to last for a very long time.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures consist of two main parts:

• The base of dentures is usually made of pink acrylic that is carefully molded to fit a patient’s unique gums. For partial dentures, the base includes small metal or acrylic clasps that help the prosthetic to stay in place. In rare cases, nylon is used instead of acrylic to create the base of dentures.
• The teeth of dentures are often made from acrylic or porcelain. Porcelain is the favored option for full-mouth replacement, whereas acrylic is more commonly used for patients who still have some of their natural teeth.

The Denture Creation Process

The denture creation process involves several steps:

• First, our team takes detailed impressions of your gums. These will serve as the basis for designing your dentures. We may also take some jaw measurements.
• We send the impressions to a trustworthy dental laboratory, where a skilled technician creates a wax version of your gumline. Next, they use a machine called an articulator to place artificial teeth in the wax base.
• The wax-up gets sent to us, and you return to our office so we can do a fitting. From there, we continue to communicate with the laboratory until the design is finalized.
• The laboratory uses the wax-up to create your final prosthetic. The wax portions are replaced by the final denture materials.
• After any necessary finishing touches at the laboratory, the final denture gets sent to us. We verify that it meets our rigorous quality standards before we give it to you and send you home to start adjusting to your new prosthetic.

From start to finish, the denture creation process may take a few weeks or longer.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It can take a bit of time to adjust to your dentures. At first, they might cause a bit of soreness. Some patients find it challenging to eat and speak at first. You might also find that you produce extra saliva for a while. Eating soft foods, practicing speaking, and other practical measures can make the adjustment period a bit easier. If you experience any severe or prolonged challenges with your dentures, call our team. Your prosthetic might need to undergo some minor adjustments.

Psychological Benefits

Edentulous individuals (people who are missing all of their teeth) often find it difficult to accept tooth loss. After all, a part of your body is missing! You may feel downhearted at times due to your condition. You could shy away from social situations and may be at an increased risk of persistent sadness and even depression.

Dentures can restore your smile’s natural beauty and could even make you feel whole again. They may equip you to face the world with confidence whether you are eating tasty foods, meeting new people, or simply running errands around town.

Clearer Enunciation

Clear speech is the result of complex interactions between the tongue, teeth, and other oral structures. When your teeth are missing, it may be more challenging for you to enunciate certain sounds. Dentures may allow you to speak with clarity and confidence.

(Some people develop a slight lisp when they first get dentures. With time and practice, this issue usually goes away in a short period of time.)

Improves Nutrition

Without a full set of teeth, you may be likely to gravitate toward very soft foods. As a result, you might miss out on the nutritional benefits of tougher items, such as certain fruits, vegetables, and protein options. Your overall health might decline as a result.

Fortunately, dentures can equip you to eat a wide variety of foods. Depending on the type of denture you have, you might have to make a few adjustments to your eating techniques. Overall, though, it should be easy for you to enjoy a nutritious and tasty diet.

Preserves Oral Health

If you still have some of your natural teeth, a partial denture can prevent them from drifting out of place. This can preserve your bite and might even reduce your risk of further tooth loss. Plus, dentures can take some of the burden of chewing, which can reduce the amount of wear and tear on your existing teeth.

Expands Opportunity

Your smile can make or break the first impression you give when you are attending job interviews or interacting with clients at work. Sadly, poor oral health can make people view you as less approachable and successful than someone who has a full set of attractive teeth. By replacing your lost dentition, you can regain a natural-looking smile that opens the door for you to establish positive relationships with others in the workplace. You may also seem younger, more energetic, and better equipped to take on challenging assignments.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

Some factors that can have a bearing on the cost of dentures include:

• Preparatory treatment. Some patients need tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, or other procedures before they can move forward with getting dentures.
• Dentures usually consist of an acrylic base along with acrylic or porcelain teeth. The specific materials used can influence the overall cost of treatment.
• The type of denture. Full dentures, partial dentures, and implant dentures all come at different price points.

Remember, “cheap” dentures are not always better. It is wise to invest in top-quality treatment right from the beginning of your tooth replacement journey.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Yes, implant dentures cost significantly more than traditional dentures. The reason for the difference in price is due to the fact that implant dentures require a much more complex treatment process.

The vast majority of patients who choose implant dentures find that they are an excellent value. In fact, because dental implants can last for decades, their long-term cost may actually be less than that of traditional dentures, which usually need to be replaced every 5 – 7 years. Plus, implant dentures offer benefits that are truly priceless, such as a strong bite, jawbone preservation, and outstanding aesthetics.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

It is very common for dental insurance to cover dentures. Usually, they are classified as a major procedure, so around 50% of their cost may be covered, up to the amount of your plan’s annual maximum. Although our team is not in-network with any insurance plans, we will still be happy to help you verify your benefits and file all necessary claims. As long as you have a PPO plan that gives you freedom to visit any dentist, you can use your insurance in our practice.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Dr. Page and our team want you to be able to afford your dentures, so we invite you to talk to us about your payment options. For example, you might qualify for our military or senior discounts. You may also be eligible for low-interest financing through CareCredit. CareCredit is a third-party company that offers affordable payment plans for medical and dental services. The application process is fast, and the majority of patients are approved for credit.

Are you eager to learn more about dentures and their cost? Get in touch with Capital Smiles today! We look forward to helping you rebuild your smile in a way that fits your personal budget.