Dentures – Fort Worth, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

Teeth are very strong. Tooth enamel is the strongest part of the entire body! However, they aren’t completely indestructible. Teeth can be lost in a variety of different ways, including tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma to the mouth. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are numerous negative effects of tooth loss, including facial sagging, difficulty speaking, trouble eating, and low self-esteem. When you replace your missing teeth with dentures, you can improve all of these parts of your life.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures are ideal for people 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 for you. It’s important to have good oral health before getting dentures, so any tooth decay or gum disease needs to be eliminated ahead of time. Once your dental health is in good shape, we can move on to your dentures.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options

Dentures aren’t the right option for everyone. Here are a couple of other tooth replacement options that we offer:

• Dental Bridges: A dental bridge works by bridging the empty space 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 missing teeth.
• Dental Implants: A dental implant is a screw-like post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth. This requires that the patient has a strong and sufficient jawbone. Dental implants cost more than dentures, but they are made to last for multiple decades or even the rest of your life!

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What are Dentures Made Of?

No matter the type, every denture has a base and some artificial teeth. These parts are crucial and form most (if not all) of each prosthetic. That being said, consider their features below:

• Denture Base – A denture’s base is the core structure that supports its teeth. For that reason, it’s often made of durable acrylic, nylon, porcelain, or metal. Most denture bases now use acrylic, though nylon can be a good substitute.
• Artificial Teeth – Artificial teeth (per their name) are a denture’s tooth-replacing portions. Labs make them from resin or porcelain that matches your enamel’s color.

The Denture Creation Process

Since each denture is customized for its patient, making one involves a multi-step process. The relevant steps are:

• Step 1: To start, our dentists will take an impression of your mouth. Doing so lets us make a plaster model that matches your denture’s size and shape.
• Step 2: We’ll send the model to a dental lab, which will use it to create a wax gumline.
• Step 3: Once the wax gumline is ready, lab workers will set artificial teeth in it. They’ll then have made a prototype denture for the final one.
• Step 4: We’ll receive the prototype denture and see if it fits your mouth. Afterward, we’ll return it to the dental lab.
• Step 5: A worker will place the prototype in a flask after boiling it to remove its wax. As for the flask, this object will receive plaster and sit in hot water.
• Step 6: A separator will go into the plaster layer, keeping the acrylic from sticking. This material will be injected into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7: Lab workers will remove all plaster to reveal the final denture. Then, they’ll place the restoration in a bath to remove its residue.
• Step 8: Workers will cut off the excess acrylic and polish the denture.
• Step 9: We’ll have your final denture fitted, ensuring it works smoothly and easily.

Learn More About All-on-4

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

When you first get dentures, wearing them can cause some soreness. That’s normal – your mouth will need some time to adjust to your new teeth. Once you’ve had the prosthetics for a few weeks, they should feel more familiar and won’t cause problems.

Of course, you can speed up your adjustment. A great go-to method would be exercising your facial muscles; you’d strengthen them to handle dentures. On the other hand, you could eat soft foods (to avoid pain) or use adhesives (to enhance security). These and similar habits would help the dentures feel more natural.

Please contact our office if your denture pain persists. In that case, your new restorations may need a few more alterations.

Psychological Benefits

Tooth loss can be devastating not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. After all, your smile has a reciprocal relationship with your happiness. You show your joy through a smile, but did you know that you can also become happier when you smile more? If you are embarrassed by your tooth loss, you may not want to show your smile, which can negatively impact your mental health over time.

In addition, your confidence can take a huge blow when you lose teeth. However, when these gaps are filled in with realistic tooth replacements, you can feel more self-confident.

Clearer Enunciation

Have you ever tried to have a conversation without dentures in with someone? You quickly find out just how important teeth are in oral communication. S, z, f, v, t, d, and th are all sounds that require stable teeth to produce correctly. When you have properly fitting dentures in your mouth, you can pronounce each sound and be understood.

As an added benefit of implant dentures, you never have to worry about your replacements coming loose while you talk, even years after getting them!

Improves Nutrition

If you have no or only a few teeth, eating nutritious foods is difficult to say the least. Your only option is to gum heavily processed and cooked foods that are soft enough. On the other hand, with dentures that are secure, especially implant dentures, you have the ability to bite and chew raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and other foods that nourish and strengthen your body. As a result, you can significantly improve your quality of life and even extend your lifespan.

Preserves Oral Health

If you have some natural teeth left in your smile, getting a partial denture can help you hold onto them for longer by keeping these teeth properly positioned. With gaps, teeth spread out to fill the space, increasing the risk of more tooth loss. Dentures can help your teeth stay in their proper places.

Believe it or not, implant dentures go a step further for your oral health. By being grounded in the jawbone, implants stop the natural process of bone resorption after tooth loss. As a result, you retain a stronger bite and a stronger jawbone.

Expands Opportunities

The stigma against tooth loss is unfortunately still alive and well. Others can make certain assumptions about you based on your smile in various settings, like at a job interview or on a first date. Replacing missing teeth with dentures can open doors for you that otherwise might be closed. Basically, dentures can give you a new chance in your career or help you find someone special.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

There are a few main factors that will influence the cost of your dentures:

• The preparation before getting your dentures will influence the overall cost. This includes things like extractions and gum disease therapy, if needed.
• The materials used for the base and replacement teeth. The base is typically made from acrylic while the replacement teeth can be crafted from either acrylic or porcelain.
• The number of teeth that you need to have replaced.

Remember that cheaper dentures don’t mean better dentures. If you end up opting for budget dentures, they will be more likely to require repairs or replacements much sooner than quality ones. You don’t want to end up with a subpar restoration.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Implant dentures cost more than traditional dentures, but for good reason. Instead of being supported by the shape and suction of your gums, implant dentures are held in place by a series of dental implants that are placed in the jawbone via a surgical procedure. This allows for many additional benefits, like being more lifelike and having additional stability. You won’t need to replace your dentures every 5 to 7 years either, as implants are made to last several decades.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

You can usually expect some level of coverage with most dental insurance plans. Many provide up to 50% coverage, but this will vary depending on your plan. We are in-network with Delta Dental, but we also welcome out-of-network providers. If you have any questions about your coverage, talk to one of our friendly team members.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re left completely on your own. We have an in-house dental savings plan that acts as a membership. Once you enroll, you can gain access to your most essential dental services, and you won’t need to worry about meeting deductibles either.

We also offer two alternative financing options: Compassionate Finance and CareCredit. Compassionate Finance offers many financing options that can be coordinated through our dental office. CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that makes managing monthly dental payments easy and affordable. Give us a call to learn more and see if you qualify.

The best way you can learn how much dentures will cost for you is by scheduling a consultation. We are looking forward to helping you get your smile back!

What Is the Average Age for Dentures?

While not every person will experience tooth loss in their lifetime, it is an issue that becomes far more common among older patients. In general, you are more likely to need partial or full dentures over the age of 40. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, over 65% of adults between the ages of 40 and 64 are missing at least one tooth, compared to only 33% of adults aged 20-39. Meanwhile, the American Dental Association reports that nearly 57% of people ages 65 to 74 wear some form of denture. It’s important to note, however, that people under the age of 40 can also be potential candidates for dentures.

What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?

You will likely have to adjust your diet when wearing dentures in Fort Worth. Sticky foods like peanut butter, for example, can pull your dentures out of place. This can not only irritate your gums but also allow food particles to become trapped under your false teeth. In addition, nuts, popcorn, apples, carrot sticks, corn on the cob, and other hard foods can damage or dislodge dentures. While it’s okay to enjoy these foods every once and awhile, they should be avoided for the most part. Finally, tough meats like steak and pork chops require extra chewing to break down, which can put a lot of stress on both your dentures and your gums.

Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?

When you first get dentures, it may take you a little while to get the hang of speaking with your new set of artificial teeth. The length of this adjustment period varies from person to person. Generally speaking, the more you practice, the faster you will grow accustomed to talking with dentures. Reading out loud to yourself and repeating difficult-to-pronounce words is a good exercise. In addition, fast speech may come out muffled if you’re not used to talking with dentures, so feel free to speak slowly at first. If you notice your dentures have a tendency to shift while you speak, try biting down and swallowing before you begin so that your false teeth are in the proper position. If you need a little extra help, you can apply denture adhesive for added stability.

Can I Sleep with My Dentures?

Most denture dentists in Fort Worth recommend taking your dentures out at night when you go to bed. However, when you first get dentures you should keep them in your mouth for 24 hours. After that first day and night, be sure to remove your dentures before you go to sleep. Why? Wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. Taking dentures out at night gives your gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need. Sleeping with dentures has also been found to be associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. This is likely because the dark, moist space underneath dentures is an ideal place for bacteria to thrive. To protect your oral health and keep your gums healthy, don’t sleep with your dentures.