Dentures – Louetta, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

A gap in your smile can be embarrassing, but unfortunately, missing teeth are not just an aesthetic issue. When your smile is incomplete, you are likely to find it difficult to chew certain foods, which can have a negative impact on your diet. Also, if you lose the teeth that are involved with speech, then you’re likely to have trouble pronouncing certain words. On top of all of that, losing teeth can have a psychological effect; many people with empty space in their grins often experience low self-confidence.

Regardless of what led to you losing teeth – be it gum disease, tooth decay, or an injury – an incomplete smile can cause your quality of life to suffer, which is why you shouldn’t lose any time in exploring your replacement options.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Most people can get dentures no matter how many teeth they’re missing. That said, this option is especially beneficial for those who have suffered from particularly extensive tooth loss. Before you can get dentures, we’ll need to make sure that your gums are healthy and that there’s plenty of bone in your jaw. On top of that, anyone who’s planning on getting dentures should be prepared to take proper care of the prosthesis.

There are multiple kinds of dentures that you might qualify for:

• Partial dentures are a good fit for patients who are only missing some of their teeth.
• Full dentures are used when all of the teeth in the upper or lower arch need to be replaced.
• Implant dentures may be an option if you have enough jawbone density for dental implant surgery.

Our team will help you determine which kind of denture is the best fit for you. You can count on us to guide you toward the decision that is truly right for your smile’s unique needs.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Dentures are far from the only way that missing teeth can be replaced. In some cases, we may find that a different tooth-replacement method better suits your needs. Here’s a brief look at your other options:

• Dental Bridges: Have you lost one or multiple teeth in a row? It may be possible to fill the gap with a dental bridge that uses your natural teeth for support.
• Dental Implants: Dental implants are the only type of tooth replacement that can act as new tooth roots. They can be used to replace any number of teeth, but you need to have sufficient bone density before the surgery.

Psychological Benefits

Losing any number of teeth can have a major impact on your self-esteem, which in turn can drastically alter your quality of life. In fact, many people with missing teeth also end up experiencing increased social anxiety, sadness, and even depression. However, when you opt to wear dentures, you won’t have to worry about how you look when you eat, speak, or smile – these prosthetics are fully functional and incredibly lifelike, allowing you to engage in social activities once more with the utmost confidence!

Clearer Enunciation

Your teeth play an integral role in how you speak your mind and communicate your ideas, so needless to say, when you’re missing some or all of them, speech won’t come very easily. But since dentures can restore your entire smile, they can also revive your ability to speak clearly and converse effectively with others. While it might take a little practice at first, it won’t be long before you’ve fully mastered speaking while wearing your dentures!

Improves Nutrition

Tooth loss also impacts what kinds of food you’re able to eat – some foods might be impossible to chew and swallow without all of your pearly whites. Plus, if you’re unable to chew your meals like before, you might experience problems like malnutrition and indigestion. Dentures are designed to operate just like your natural teeth, allowing you to bite, chew, and tear different types of foods from a varied, healthy diet.

Preserves Oral Health

Missing teeth is far from a purely aesthetic issue – as teeth are lost, nearby remaining ones can shift out of place and move toward the gap, causing all sorts of dental issues. Not to mention, the bone tissue beneath the gap will start to shrink and deteriorate since there’s no longer a tooth there to stimulate the area! However, these potential complications can be mitigate to a certain extent by wearing dentures. The restorations support the positions of the rest of the teeth and also bear the brunt of the force of chewing, helping you to avoid future wear and tear on the rest of your pearly whites. 

Expands Opportunities

Most people agree that someone’s smile is the first feature they notice upon meeting someone. This means that having a complete set of teeth can literally open all kinds of doors to new opportunities; in fact, recent studies show a link between poor oral health and a lower probability of being employed. Not to mention, when it comes to personal relationships, having a winning smile can lead to more meaningful connections.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

Some patients will need preparatory work before they can get dentures. For example, they might need a tooth extraction to make room for full dentures. Speaking of which, whether you get a full denture or a partial denture can affect the amount you pay as well; as such, the number of teeth that need to be replaced can be considered a factor for the overall cost.

You also need to consider the materials your denture will be made of. Remember that cheaper materials also tend to be of lower quality. They might break more easily, forcing you to get a replacement sooner than you might want. A denture made of higher-quality materials may carry a higher price tag, but it may also be a smarter investment.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Implant dentures combine the cost of implant surgery with the cost of new teeth, so naturally, you can expect it to be a more expensive treatment on average. For many patients, though, implants are well worth the extra cost. They’ll hold your dentures firmly in place so that they don’t slip while you’re eating or speaking. Furthermore, dental implants last a lot longer than traditional tooth replacements and don’t need to be replaced as often; some implants even last entire lifetimes.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Most dental insurance plans consider dentures to be necessary for maintaining oral health and thus will usually offer some level of coverage for them. You can expect most plans to pay for around 50% of the cost of dentures near Vintage Park, but this is something that can vary quite a bit depending on what plan you have. If you’re not sure that you fully understand your coverage or how much you can expect to pay for your dentures out of pocket, all you need to do is talk to our team; we can look over your policy with you and show you how you can maximize your available benefits.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, or if your plan doesn’t provide as much coverage for dentures as you might like, we may suggest financing as a way to make your care more affordable. Our practice works with CareCredit, Lending Club, Greensky Financing, and United Medical Credit. Each of them offers payment plans that let you break up the cost of your care in a way that’s easier on your budget. Let us know if you’re interested in third-party financing; we can help you with the application process.

Remove After Eating

Regularly cleaning your dentures after meals helps maintain their appearance and functionality. So, after every meal, it’s best to remove and rinse your dentures to prevent food particles and plaque buildup. Splashing them with warm water helps keep your prosthetics clean and reduces the risk of oral infections. Be sure to avoid using water that’s too hot, as it can warp the denture material and cause them to slip more often or become uncomfortable.

Clean Your Restoration

At the end of a long day, you’ll need to gently clean your dentures using a soft-bristled toothbrush and unscented hand soap or denture cleaner. Avoid using regular toothpaste, as it can be too harsh and damage your dentures.

Additionally, when you’re not wearing your prosthetics, store them in a container of water or denture solution to prevent them from drying out and losing their shape. When you remove them from the solution, always rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Despite their durable nature, dentures can be fragile when it comes to drops. So, when cleaning them, place a towel or soft cloth across the sink to ward against accidents.

Whenever you’re not wearing your prosthetics, try to store them out of reach of children and pets. This will keep them safe from getting dropped on the floor or lost somewhere. Following these simple storage instructions is one of the best ways to greatly extend the life of your prosthetics.

Remove When You Sleep

You should remove your dentures when taking a break throughout the day, but It’s even more important to take them out before going to bed. Wearing dentures at night can restrict blood flow to your gums, leading to irritation, lesions, or ulcers. Not to mention the increased risk of respiratory infections, like pneumonia. So, before bed, make cleaning and soaking your dentures a part of your nightly routine. This will keep them from losing their shape or building up bacteria.

Notice Changes

Take careful note of any changes in your dentures or mouth. If you notice gum irritation, sores, or a loose fit, contact our team as soon as possible. Dentures may need adjustments over time, and it’s important to address any issues that pop up early. Also, avoid attempting repairs on your own, as this can cause further damage—let Dr. Castleberry help keep your appliances in top shape safely and effectively!

How Long Will You Have to Wait to Get Dentures After Your Teeth Are Pulled?

Generally, patients must wait about six to eight weeks after their teeth are extracted to receive their dentures. Of course, the exact amount of time required depends on your unique circumstances and the type of denture in question. Although it may seem like a long time, it’s necessary to ensure your gums heal properly. Immediate (or same-day) dentures can be placed on the day of extraction, but they’ll need to be replaced much sooner as the shape of your jawbone changes throughout the healing process. If you’re getting implant dentures, you’ll need to wait about three to six months for osseointegration (the process of implants fusing to the jawbone) to occur.

Can I Sleep with My Dentures?

When you first receive your dentures in Louetta, you’ll be told to keep them in your mouth for a full 24 hours, including sleep. However, it’s strongly recommended that you take them out every evening after that. Doing so gives your gum tissue and jawbone a chance to rest and recover after the pressure of supporting your dentures all day. Otherwise, wearing them for too long can lead to soft tissue irritation, potentially speed up ridge resorption, and increase your risk of pneumonia.

Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?

Do you need to have teeth extracted before getting dentures? If so, you’ll likely experience some discomfort for the first few days after the oral surgery. Luckily, it can be managed by taking pain medication as directed and rinsing with warm saltwater. Once you receive your new dentures, it’s normal to go through a period where your gums feel irritated. In many cases, it takes months for the discomfort to fade. Of course, the amount of time that it’ll last will vary from person to person. If the pain persists or worsens, you should contact your dentist right away to determine the cause and treat the issue.

What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?

Even though you can eat most foods with dentures, there are certain items you should be careful with, including:

• Sticky foods that can pull dentures out of place (i.e., peanut butter, caramel, toffee, gummy candy)
• Foods with small pieces that dentures cannot chew easily (i.e., popcorn kernels, shelled nuts, sesame seeds)
• Hard foods that can damage or dislodge dentures (i.e., nuts, popcorn, apples, carrot sticks, corn on the cob)
• Tough meats that require an excessive amount of chewing (i.e., steak, pork chops, ribs)