Dentures – Melbourne, FL
A Traditional Solution to Your Tooth Loss
As you may already know, losing some of your teeth will quickly affect your day-to-day life. This issue tends to make even the simplest tasks - chewing, speaking, even smiling - much more complex. That said, you can always take up the traditional solution to tooth loss: dentures in Melbourne! We at Rowley Family Dentistry would use these prosthetics to make your smile full again. If you want further details, keep reading or book a consultation today.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Often, most adults with missing teeth can qualify for dentures. These appliances can help nearly anyone who suffers from the downsides of tooth loss. Having said that, there are cases where a patient isn’t well-suited for them. Another treatment could be better if someone isn’t missing all the teeth along an arch. Alternatively, a prospect may not have the healthy gums needed to support dentures.
Given these facts, it’s best to consult Dr. Rowley to see if dentures may help. He’ll perform a quick oral exam (and X-rays if necessary) to learn if the prosthetics suit you. If he thinks that they do, he’ll draft a custom treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Types of Dentures
Based on your consultation results, our office may outline the types of dentures you could choose. Dr. Rowley will likely suggest that you get one of the following:
Partial Dentures
Per its name, a partial denture only replaces a few teeth at a time. The device usually fits your gumline with suction or clasps onto “abutments” (i.e., nearby natural teeth). It then relies on its base's pink coloring and artificial teeth to blend with your grin. The base uses an acrylic portion that matches your gum tissue, while each artificial tooth has the same shade as your enamel.
Full Dentures
A full denture (unlike a partial one) replaces an entire arch of teeth at once. Given this fact, it relies solely on suction force to stay in place; it won’t alter your other teeth by using clasps. Still, this device uses the same materials as a partial denture. Both appliances rely on gum-colored bases and porcelain or ceramic artificial teeth.
Implant Dentures
If you’d like a permanent and unwavering option, consider implant dentures. These kinds secure themselves with dental implants – small metal posts that fuse with your jawbone. Through these posts, implant dentures remain stable and steady over time. They won’t slip or fall from your mouth like other types might, and they prevent facial collapse.
Due to their traits, implant dentures suit patients who want non-traditional options. They have perks and benefits that other choices can’t match.
The Benefits of Dentures
Should you get dentures, expect to enjoy benefits like:
- A Lifelike Smile – Since today’s dentures use quality materials, they restore your smile with lifelike and realistic teeth. Their final results will blend seamlessly with their surroundings and look quite natural.
- Higher Confidence – Dentures can also boost your confidence by filling your smile gaps. Most patients who get them feel more self-assured in social settings.
- A Better Diet – No matter the type, dentures improve your eating ability. That means they expand your dietary options and improve your overall health.
- Cost-Effective Care – Dentures are often the least expensive dental restorations, and they work well when given proper care. As a result, patients with tight budgets will find them cost-effective.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
There are several tooth replacement treatments available at Rowley Family Dentistry, but dentures are by and large the most accessible option. Even so, many patients worry that they may not be able to afford prosthetics when the time comes to invest in them to protect their smile. If you’re anxious about the cost of dentures, read more below. You’ll find everything you need to know about factors that affect their price and ways that we work to make them more accessible for our patients.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
The cost of dentures isn’t static because each set is customized specifically for an individual patient. For example, the cost can increase based on whether you need preparatory procedures like tooth extractions or gum disease treatment.
The materials used for each denture can also vary. The base is often made of acrylic but can be crafted from other mediums. The false teeth that are attached to the base can also be customized, though most patients prefer porcelain because of its natural look and durability.
When considering how you want your prosthetics constructed, it’s important to note that the cheapest options may cost you more in the long run. Frequent adjustments or replacements can get expensive.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures are secured to your jawbone with titanium implant fixtures placed in your jawbone. Because of the complexity of the surgery, they are more expensive than traditional dentures. However, this extra cost comes with myriad benefits that no other traditional tooth replacement option can match.
They are far more comfortable, never slip, and can be cared for just like your natural teeth. With proper maintenance, implanted dentures can last a lifetime making them overall more cost-effective than many other options.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Dentures are often considered a major procedure which are generally covered at around 50 percent. However, not all insurance providers or plans are the same. Coverage can vary and the details of your plan should be carefully considered. If you need help with this process, our highly trained dental team can guide you through your policy details so there are no surprises. We want to ensure that you know exactly where you stand financially before your treatment begins.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Not every patient has dental insurance. Even so, our team is committed to making dentures accessible for all our patients regardless of their financial situation. To that end, we accept CareCredit for qualifying patients which can be used to reduce the burden of payment for patients who need assistance. This program allows you to pay for your treatment up-front as you would with a credit card and pay down the balance over time in smaller, more budget-friendly installments!
Dentures FAQs
Do Dentures Break Easily?
While dentures are amazingly durable, they are not invincible. While they can last for five to seven years with proper maintenance, they can break if the patient drops them while cleaning, inserting, or removing them. Dentures can also become damaged if they do not fit well or if they have defects such as scratches or notches in their base. Even if you give your set excellent care, it can still become worn down due to repeated use.
What Should You Do if Your Dentures Break?
The most serious damage a denture can sustain is “prosthesis fracture,” which happens when the dentures break in half. While this happens more frequently to top dentures, it can also happen to bottom ones as well. The cause and severity of the break largely determine whether the appliance can be repaired, and it’s best to call our office as soon as you notice any damage. While we may be able to repair your dentures in a single office visit, some cases require us to send the appliance back to a dental lab. In other cases, we will recommend replacement.
Can Dentures Become Ill-Fitting?
Each set of dentures is customized to fit the patient’s mouth, so yours should fit very well when you first get it. However, dentures tend to lose their fit over time due to wear and tear and the changing shape of the patient’s mouth. A poorly fitting pair of dentures can lead to oral health issues such as sore, swollen, or bleeding gums, bad breath, or trouble speaking. If your dentures are no longer fitting properly, bring them to our office in Melbourne. We may be able to adjust or reline them so they fit better, but we may recommend replacement in some cases. Some patients find that using denture adhesives helps their appliances fit better.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
We recommend removing and soaking your dentures before going to bed. While you’ll probably be instructed to wear your dentures continuously for the first twenty-four hours after receiving them, it’s important to remove them for at least eight hours every day afterward. Since wearing your dentures limits blood flow to your gums, wearing them too long can lead to soft tissue irritation and accelerated bone loss. On the other hand, removing your dentures every day gives your mouth the time it needs to rest and clean itself so it can stay healthy. Continuous denture wear can also allow bacteria to multiply and thrive in the dark, moist space between your appliance and your gums, and sleeping while wearing dentures is associated with poor oral hygiene, increased gum and tongue plaque, and increased risk of pneumonia.