Dentures – Azle, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

Teeth are very strong, but they aren’t completely safe from damage. Teeth can be harmed in many different ways, including tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma to the mouth. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are many negative effects of tooth loss, like facial sagging, difficulty speaking, trouble eating, and low self-esteem. By replacing your missing teeth with dentures, you can improve all of these effects.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures are an ideal option for those who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. Depending on the number of teeth you are missing and where they are located in the mouth, we can put together a custom plan just for you. It’s important to have excellent oral health before getting dentures, so any tooth decay or gum disease will need to be addressed ahead of time. Once your smile is in ideal health, we can move forward with the rest of the dentures process.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If dentures aren’t something you are interested in, or you don’t make a good candidate, there are a couple of other options that we offer:

• Dental Bridge: A dental bridge works by “bridging” the gap with a replacement tooth. The replacement tooth, also called the “pontic,” is supported by two dental crowns that are placed on the adjacent teeth. This is ideal for patients who are only missing one or a couple of consecutive teeth.
• Dental Implants: A dental implant is a screw-like post that is surgically insured into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth. This requires that the patient has a strong and sufficient jawbone. Dental implants have a higher upfront cost than dentures, but they are made to last for multiple decades.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What are Dentures Made Of?

Whatever its type, every denture has two crucial parts: a base and artificial teeth. These two “pieces” comprise the restoration’s bulk, so you should consider them closely. Please learn about them below:

• Denture Base – A denture’s base acts as its foundation, keeping the artificial teeth secure. This part is often made of pink-colored acrylic, though other materials (especially nylon) can make good substitutes.
• Artificial Teeth – The artificial teeth are a denture’s tooth-replacing portions. Dental labs generally make them from resin or porcelain to match your smile’s color.

The Denture Creation Process

Since every denture is customized for its patient, creating one involves a multi-step process. The steps performed are:

• Step 1: Using a dental impression, our dentists will design a plaster model that matches your final denture’s size and shape.
• Step 2: A dental lab will use the model to make a wax gumline based on your grin.
• Step 3: When the wax gumline is ready, workers will set artificial teeth in it. They’ll then have made a prototype denture.
• Step 4: Our practice will receive and check the prototype against your mouth. We’ll send it back once we’ve confirmed its fit.
• Step 5:  After boiling it to remove wax, a worker will place the prototype in a flask. They’ll apply plaster to the flask and have it sit in hot water.
• Step 6: A separator will go into the plaster layer and keep the acrylic from sticking. Next, this acrylic will be injected into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7: The dental lab will remove all plaster to reveal the final denture. Then, they’ll place the restoration in a bath to remove its residue.
• Step 8: The lab’s workers will remove your denture’s excess acrylic and polish its surface.
• Step 9: To ensure it works smoothly and easily, our office will fit your final denture for you.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

As you first adjust to dentures, your mouth will likely feel sore. That’s a normal side effect – you’ll need time to get used to your new teeth. Once you’ve practiced with your prosthetics, the dentures should feel more familiar.

All that said, certain steps would let you adjust more quickly. One example would be to exercise your facial muscles; you’d then have a mouth strong enough for dentures. On the other hand, you could eat soft foods (to avoid irritated gums) or use special adhesives (to keep dentures in place). These approaches would help your dentures feel natural in less time.

If the soreness from your adjustment persists, please call us. You may need more alterations to your new teeth.

Psychological Benefits

Tooth loss is not an easy time for anyone, and the more teeth you lose, the more difficult it becomes. Negative feelings surrounding your missing teeth can manifest in different ways from anxiety and depression to lowered social engagement and self-esteem. Dentures can fill the gap in your teeth and your confidence! They renew your smile, creating strong and positive images and feelings so you can enjoy looking into the mirror and engaging with friends and family once again.

Clearer Enunciation

Missing teeth don’t just affect the aesthetics of your teeth, but it can also affect their function. Clear and concise speech, for example, depends largely on the proximity of your pearly whites. When you lose a few, especially in certain areas of your mouth, it can create impediments like slurring, sloshing, and whistling. Dentures can give your tongue better positioning, allowing you to engage in conversation with confidence.

Improves Nutrition

When you think of healthy foods, your mind probably envisions fresh fruits, crunchy vegetables, and a well-grilled piece of meat. However, many of these foods become far more difficult to process as you lose teeth. Some patients will even cut meals out of their diet completely if they’re considered a hassle. Dentures can help you expand your diet once again, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods with greater ease. This will not only provide you with better nutrition, but it will also improve your digestion as well!

Preserves Oral Health

When you lose a tooth or two, it does more to your oral health than you may think. Over time, adjacent teeth will try to shift into the spaces left behind. This can lead to bite misalignments, jaw joint pain, headaches, and even accelerated tooth wear. Dentures prevent all this by preserving the space in your smile, keeping your teeth from shifting so your oral health stays intact.

Expands Opportunity

For better or worse, your smile is often the first thing that someone notices about you. A winning grin can not only make you appear more friendly and approachable but also more intelligent and put together. For employers and clients alike, these are green flags that signal working with you is a good idea. Dentures can restore the aesthetics of your smile, giving you a distinct advantage on your path to a better and more fulfilling career.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

These are the three main factors that will contribute to the cost of your dentures:

• The preparation before getting your dentures will influence the cost. This includes gum disease therapy and extractions when necessary.
• The materials used for the base and replacement teeth will play a role. The base is typically made from acrylic while the replacement teeth can be crafted from acrylic or porcelain.
• The number of teeth that you need to have replaced will impact the cost. The more teeth, the higher the cost.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Implant dentures do cost more than traditional dentures, but there is good reason for it. Instead of being supported by the shape and suction of the gums, they are held into place by a series of dental implants that are placed into the jawbone via a surgical procedure. This allows for additional benefits, like being more lifelike, having additional stability, lasting for several decades, and preventing jawbone deterioration.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

You can usually expect some amount of coverage with most dental insurance plans. Many provide up to 50% coverage, but this will vary depending on your individual plan. We’re in-network with many popular dental insurance plans. If you need help understanding your specific benefits, just ask our team.

To learn exactly how much you can expect your treatment to cost, schedule a consultation with us. We’re eager to help you smile again!

Removeable Dentures

Remove After Eating

Once you finish a snack or meal, you should get into the habit of rinsing your dentures off. This helps to prevent the buildup of food debris and plaque. Be sure that the water you are using isn’t too hot, as high temperatures can warp the denture material, causing it to no longer fit properly.

Clean Your Restoration

When it’s time to clean your dentures, take them out. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of hand soap, mild dish soap, or denture cleaner to gently brush your dentures. You shouldn’t use regular toothpaste because dentures aren’t made to stand up to abrasive materials. If you aren’t going to be using your dentures again right away, place them in a container of water or denture-cleansing solution so they don’t dry out. Remember to always rinse your dentures thoroughly before you put them back in your mouth.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

When it’s time to clean your dentures, it’s a good idea to place a towel beneath you just in case they slip out of your hands. This will reduce the probability of them becoming damaged. Remember to keep your dentures out of reach of any small children or curious pets.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

When it’s time to go to bed, you should take out your dentures. This is because wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation. Sleeping with dentures has also been associated with higher levels of gum and tongue plaque. As you sleep, keep your dentures in a denture-soaking solution. Allowing them to dry out can cause them to permanently lose their shape.

Notice Changes

You should always be on the lookout for changes so you can address them with your dentist. This includes mouth sores, gum irritation, and signs of infection. If your dentures become damaged, don’t attempt to repair them on your own. Instead, give us a call so we can take a look.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

If you have all-on-4 dental implants, the aftercare process is a little bit different. You should brush your dentures twice daily using a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste. Floss your replacement teeth every day. You should also consider investing in a water flosser. For extra freshness, use an antibacterial mouthwash.