Dentures Dracut
The Traditional Treatment for Tooth Loss
People have dealt with tooth loss for ages, and the problem persists today. Even now, about 178 million American adults are missing at least one tooth. The good news is that we have an equally enduring solution for one’s missing teeth: dentures in Dracut! These traditional prosthetics work quite well, continuing to restore and beautify patients’ smiles. Please keep reading to learn more about them, or book a consultation to see us in person.
Why Choose New England Smiles for Dentures?
- Dentist with Years of Experience
- High-Quality, Lifelike Materials
- Warm & Friendly Dental Team
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
An adult with missing teeth can almost always qualify for dentures. Plus, the degree of tooth loss doesn’t affect your candidacy; even patients without any teeth can get the prosthetics. You’ll still need to consult Dr. Patel before you commit to anything, though. She’ll confirm whether you’re a good treatment candidate, as well as suggest any preliminary care you need. For further details, please keep reading or call us.
Effects of Missing Teeth
To clarify your candidacy, consider the nature of tooth loss. Reflecting on its causes and effects offers context on how dentures may help you.
Missing teeth can stem from various factors. For instance, a tooth might fall out because of a cavity or a pulp-related infection. Some teeth could also be lost because of gum disease, which weakens the tissues supporting your smile. Patients can also have teeth knocked out by injuries, accidents, and blunt force in general.
In contrast, tooth loss’ effects are narrow but consistent. Being without teeth almost always makes it hard to eat, speak, or smile very well. The condition also makes teeth tilt, erodes the jaw, and causes bacterial buildup.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
It generally isn’t difficult to qualify for dentures, as nearly any adult with missing teeth can be a good candidate. That said, would-be patients should keep three key candidacy facts in mind.
The first is that you need a (relatively) healthy smile to use dentures. If you have weak gum and jawbone tissues, the restorations will slip around your mouth. These parts of your smile must be strong to keep a denture stable; treatment won’t work otherwise.
Next, which type of denture you get depends on how many teeth you lost. Patients missing a few will merely need a partial model. On the other hand, someone who’s lost all their teeth will probably require a full denture.
Also note that finances impact treatment. After all, dentures are less expensive than other tooth replacements but still prove effective. That means patients who want cost-effective care are well-suited for them.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If you don’t (initially) qualify for dentures, don’t panic. Getting a few preliminary procedures isn’t your only option. Instead, you can opt for one of our practice’s other restorations:
- Dental Bridges – Made of dental crowns fused to a pontic, a dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one to four adjacent teeth. A dentist must thus alter nearby teeth to place it.
- Dental Implants – Dental implants don’t sit on the gums like dentures or dental bridges do. Instead, these small titanium posts are set in the jaw’s empty sockets. They then fuse with your jaw over time to become highly secure prosthetic teeth.
Types of Dentures
New England Smiles offers several kinds of dentures, and each one has distinctive traits. We’ll suggest one of the following types to you (if any) after your oral exam:
Partial Dentures
In line with their name, partial dentures only replace a few teeth. They “work” by fitting snugly over one’s gums or by clasping onto “abutments” – nearby natural teeth. When they’ve been securely fastened, they use their pink acrylic bases and color-matched teeth to blend with your smile.
Full Dentures
Full dentures do more than partial kinds, restoring an entire arch of teeth at once. They thus rely only on suction force for security; they don’t depend on abutments. A full denture is similar to a partial one, though, in that it fits snugly over the gums.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are those that secure themselves with dental implants, which are small metal posts placed in one’s jaw. Their design makes them a “permanent” solution to tooth loss that appeals to many patients. Since implant posts don’t slip or fall, an implant denture remains secure at all times. The latter device also prevents (and even reverses) cases of facial collapse.
How Dentures Are Made
Aside from how they work, you should also learn how dentures are made. Grasping the process that creates your prosthetics will help you see if the treatment suits you. That said, you’re in luck; your dentist in Dracut will gladly share the ins and outs of denture creation with you. We’ve provided the details on denture materials, their assembly, and more below. So, please keep reading for this information or call us to hear the facts over the phone.
Step 1: Impressions
To start, Dr. Patel will take precise impressions of your mouth. Doing so lets her create a 3D model of your teeth and gums using either digital technology or special putty. (Which method she uses will depend on your needs and situation.) Once she’s formed the model, she’ll send it to a local dental lab for further analysis and refinement.
Step 2: Wax Mold Creation
Lab workers will next use the 3D model to create a physical wax equivalent. For this step, they’ll carve around tooth-like portions, texture false gums, and shape the mold to appear as close to the final denture as possible. The workers will then send the wax model back to our office for feedback.
Once we have the wax model, our team will have you try it to see if it looks and fits well. We’ll then send it back to the lab for further adjustments.
Step 3: Fit Check
Using the retrieved model, step three of denture creation is to make a plaster mold of your mouth. Lab workers do so by pouring hot water into the model to melt the wax. Afterward, they’ll send the mold back to us for patient feedback; we’ll later return it after a final assessment.
Patient feedback, or a “fit check,” is crucial to the creation work. After all, it lets the patient discern their restorations’ appearance, comfort, etc.
Step 4: Back to the Lab for Refinements
Technicians will create a full-plaster equivalent after getting the plaster-wax mold back. At that time, they’ll remove the wax base via boiling and indent holes into the acrylic teeth. (These measures ensure the final acrylic material can attach.) The technicians will later inject a separator (to keep the acrylic from sticking to it) and acrylic itself into the mold. When they have, the lab will have made your denture’s acrylic base; it’ll then wrap things up by attaching the artificial teeth.
To keep things safe, the lab will polish, clean up, and remove plaster residue from your denture. They’ll then return the prosthetics to us.
Step 5: Take Them Home!
For the fifth and final step, we’ll have you try the final denture at our office. We’ll explain how to insert and remove this prosthetic, assuming it fits well. If everything looks good to us, we’ll end the session by letting you take the denture home.
Note that it takes roughly 30 days to adjust to a new denture. During that time, your facial muscles will strengthen to support your prosthetics and allow for chewing and speaking. This process may involve some mild soreness and device slippage, but rest assured that these effects are temporary.
Benefits of Dentures
With dentures in Dracut, you’ll enjoy many benefits. From an improvement in your psychological health and clearer speech to better nutrition and expanded opportunities, you’ll reap the rewards of a complete smile.
Psychological Benefits
Dentures boost confidence by restoring your smile. You’ll appreciate how you look, which can positively affect your psychological health. No longer will you face depression or sadness because of your incomplete smile. With dentures, you’ll feel happier and begin to smile more often, which can release endorphins that reduce stress and lead to a more self-assured mood.
Clear Enunciation
Once you begin wearing dentures, you will no longer slur your words. While you can expect an adjustment phase, it is only temporary. With practice, you will begin to enunciate clearly, allowing you to converse with colleagues, family, and friends more confidently. If you need help to improve your speech, try reading aloud at home, practicing in front of a mirror, and swallowing before speaking to ensure your dentures are securely in place.
Improves Nutrition
Since they provide sturdy replacement teeth, dentures help you chew and eat a wider range of food. You will need to practice biting down to ensure your teeth stay in place, but you can also use denture adhesive for extra security and stability.
Instead of resorting to softer options that often lack beneficial nutrients, dentures can indirectly support better nutrition.
Preserves Oral Health
A partial denture can reduce your risk of dental misalignment, as teeth tend to shift toward areas where gaps exist. By inserting a partial where teeth once existed, you not only see a complete smile but enjoy better oral health because your natural teeth remain in place. This lets you properly care for your natural and artificial teeth, helping you avoid potential misalignment and future orthodontics.
Expands Opportunity
Dentures can open doors to opportunities you may not realize. Whether it’s applying for a job, meeting someone new, or trying for a promotion at work, a full, healthy smile will increase your chances of a successful outcome. As the first thing people notice when meeting you, your new teeth will help you make a good first impression every time.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
When configuring the cost of your dentures in Dracut, you will first meet with a member of our team to discuss the details of your treatment plan. These factors determine the overall cost of your new smile. If you are concerned about the out-of-pocket costs you will incur, our team will explain ways you can save and which payment methods make it easy to budget for treatment.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
When our team creates your denture estimate, we will consider the following factors before presenting the final price:
- Do you require a full, partial, or implant denture?
- Are there preliminary services that you need to ensure your oral health is in the best possible shape?
- What kind of materials will be used to create your dentures?
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Many patients prefer traditional dentures over implant-retained dentures; however, if you choose a more permanent option to rebuild your smile, expect a higher upfront cost. Implant dentures don't rest on the gums; instead, they sit within the jawbone for maximum support. As a result, you will pay more, but in the long run, they often prove to be more cost-effective.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Review your dental insurance plan to see whether it covers dentures. As a restorative service designed to improve oral health, most companies agree to cover 50% of the total cost. If you need help determining how much coverage you will receive, you are welcome to ask a member of our team. We can review your plan and work with your insurance company on your behalf. Whatever remains after filing a claim with insurance is what you can expect to pay out of pocket.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
New England Smiles is pleased to make dentures more affordable. This is why we offer flexible financing through Cherry and CareCredit. With these third-party companies, you can choose a low- or no-interest payment plan and set your payback schedule, spreading the cost over several months instead of paying it all at once.
Another solution is to enroll in our in-house savings plan. With one flat annual fee, you can start saving on preventive services and receive helpful discounts that can be applied toward other available treatment options.
Both are great solutions if you don't have dental insurance, so don’t hesitate to contact our team with any questions.
Dentures FAQs
Does it hurt to get dentures?
You can typically expect a comfortable experience when receiving dentures in Dracut. It is a non-surgical procedure that fills gaps and uses your gums to support your new smile. If you need tooth extraction beforehand, some mild soreness is normal, as your gums will need time to heal. Once your dentures are in place, expect an adjustment phase. Your tongue, cheeks, and the rest of your mouth will need time to get used to your new teeth. Minor pressure and irritation are common, but these symptoms usually subside quickly. Our team will work closely with you to ensure a comfortable fit and make any necessary adjustments should they be required.
Should I have all my teeth pulled to get dentures?
You can expect our New England Smiles team to always look for ways to save a tooth instead of extracting it. However, when that isn't possible, extraction is often the only option left. If a tooth is severely decayed, broken, or has a serious infection, removal is necessary. If gum disease affects all teeth in an arch, causing decay or infection, it may be more cost-effective to replace them with a full set of dentures rather than repair them with dental crowns.
Your dentist will explain how many teeth they can remove in a single appointment, but some may be more difficult than others. Don't worry; our team will explain your options before deciding whether extraction is necessary.
What is the average age for dentures?
Tooth loss becomes more common among older patients; however, younger individuals can also have gaps and missing teeth. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 66% of adults ages 40 to 64 are missing at least one tooth. The same problem exists for 33% of patients aged 20-39. As part of a census, the American Dental Association found that nearly 57% of seniors ages 65 to 74 wear some type of denture.
While the need for these prosthetics increases as you age, they aren't designed solely for seniors. Many younger patients can also benefit from these artificial teeth.
Can I use regular toothpaste to clean my dentures?
Don't use regular toothpaste to clean your dentures because it can contain abrasive ingredients that can scratch the surface of your new teeth. This can create tiny grooves that make it easy for bacteria to accumulate and stains to build up over time. Also avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes; always choose a soft-bristled brush to prevent additional scratches. Instead of regular toothpaste, use a denture-specific cleanser or hand soap. This will keep your teeth looking their best, especially when you remember to clean them after every meal.
