Dentures – Lakewood, TX
Restore Your Complete, Confident Smile
Tooth loss can take a bite out of your quality of life. If you’re missing several or all your teeth, you already know that those gaps in your smile can make it difficult to chew, speak, and smile confidently. As if that isn’t enough, missing teeth also lead to a higher risk of issues like tooth decay, oral infections, and gum disease. At the Dental Center of Lakewood, we can help restore your complete, confident smile with dentures in Lakewood! Read on to learn more about these beautiful and reliable restorations and give us a call when you’re ready to schedule your consultation!
Why Choose Dental Center of Lakewood For Dentures?
- #1 High-Quality Materials for Beautiful, Long-Lasting Results
- #2 Experienced Team of Compassionate Dentists
- #3 Precisely Crafted for Secure, Comfortable Fit
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
If you've experienced the loss of multiple or all of your teeth, dentures could be a suitable option for you. These custom-made oral prosthetics are a great solution to restore multiple missing teeth, allowing you to regain a full and healthy smile. During your consultation, our team will assess your smile and review your medical history to determine your candidacy for dentures in Dallas. While you wait for your appointment, here are some considerations for you to keep in mind.
Effects of Missing Teeth
There are several factors, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma, that can lead to tooth loss. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are multiple negative effects of missing teeth, including facial sagging, speech difficulties, eating challenges, and lower self-esteem.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Whether you’re struggling with mild to severe tooth loss, dentures are likely a viable option for you. This time-tested treatment has helped countless patients for decades, enhancing confidence in eating, talking, and smiling. However, if you have pre-existing issues like gum disease or tooth decay, they must be addressed beforehand. Additionally, it’s incredibly important for you to have a strong jawbone to prevent complications like ill-fitting dentures and gum sores.
The specific type of denture we recommend will depend on the number of missing teeth. Our team typically suggests partial, full, or implant dentures based on your unique circumstances. A significant benefit of this treatment is that it’s more budget-friendly compared to alternative options, making it an ideal choice for those with financial considerations.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Not a good candidate for traditional dentures? Don’t worry, there are alternative treatments to consider for replacing your missing teeth! You can explore these solutions:
- Dental Bridges – This option is ideal for patients with one or several missing teeth in a row. Dental bridges use pontics to bridge the gap, secured by dental crowns attached to adjacent natural teeth on either side.
- Dental Implants – This involves surgically inserting titanium posts into your jawbone to anchor new teeth to your facial structure, providing optimal stability and function. Successful implementation requires sufficient jawbone density and healthy gums, and it involves a minor surgical procedure. However, the results can last for decades with proper care.
How Dentures Are Made
Before getting dentures to replace missing teeth, it might be beneficial to understand how the treatment process will be performed. After all, every prosthetic is custom-made to fit each patient’s smile. Read on to get a closer look at how dentures are made and how you can make your adjustment process much smoother.
What are Dentures Made Of?
Generally speaking, dentures come in two parts: the base and teeth. Here is what you can expect from each component:
- Denture Base: This is the gum-colored foundation that will hold your new teeth in place. Our team will take accurate impressions of your mouth so that your prosthetics fit perfectly atop your gum line. The material can be constructed out of things like acrylic, nylon, resin, or porcelain, such as with full dentures, as well as metal, like with the clasps in partial dentures.
- Replacement Teeth: Your artificial pearly whites will typically be made out of either resin or porcelain—both of which can mimic the appearance of natural teeth. That said, porcelain is usually used due to its durability and longevity, especially for full dentures.
The Denture Creation Process
Dentures involve a multi-faceted creation process that is meant to guarantee that they’ll be specifically tailored for every patient’s dental needs. Here’s what to expect from the treatment plan:
- Our team will take impressions of your current smile (both gumlines) as well as your jaw. These will be used to construct a replica of your mouth so that your final dentures are shaped and sized precisely like they need to be to feel natural for you.
- We’ll send this plaster model to a dental lab so they can make a wax replica of your gums. There, the technician will place artificial teeth in the wax using an articulator before shaping/carving the material so it appears exactly like your gumline.
- These wax dentures will be sent to us for a fitting. If all looks well, they’ll be sent back for completion. This portion of the process involves placing the wax dentures in a holding device (flask), where plaster will be poured in to maintain the shape of the denture before placing the entire flask into hot water to boil the wax off.
- Holes will then be made into the teeth and acrylic injected into the flask to switch with the wax. The lab technician will then use special tools to remove the plaster from the dentures before placing the prosthetics into an ultrasonic bath to get rid of the remaining material.
- The acrylic will then be cut and shaved off the dentures before polishing them. Once completed, you’ll return to our office to have your new teeth fitted. After making any necessary minor adjustments, you can be sure to fully enjoy your new bite.
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
It’s quite normal to experience mild discomfort and soreness when first wearing your new dentures. After some time and practice with speaking and eating, they should eventually feel much more natural. To make this adjustment process smoother, try sticking with softer foods, experimenting with denture adhesive, enunciating difficult sounds or words, and working out your facial muscles daily. Speak with our team if you notice any concerns or problems, and we’ll be glad to help.
What Types of Dentures Are There?
Dentures are a classic solution for those with moderate to severe tooth loss. They contain lifelike replacement teeth that are set into an acrylic gum-colored base. Depending on your unique circumstances, we may recommend:
Partial Dentures
If you still have some healthy teeth remaining, partial dentures can help you seamlessly fill in the gaps in your smile. Like a puzzle piece, these restorations are custom-made to fit perfectly around and between your natural tooth structure. Small metal clasps wrapped discreetly around your remaining teeth hold them in place.
Full Dentures
A full denture can replace an entire arch of missing teeth all at once. This type of denture rests on top of your gums. Thanks to the precise custom fit of the base, a strong, comfortable suction is formed to hold your new smile firmly in place as you talk, eat, and smile.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Alternatively, you may be able to anchor your denture in place with dental implants. Instead of relying on the gums or healthy teeth for support, implant-retained dentures are anchored directly into the jawbone. This unique method gives implant-retained dentures unmatched comfort, functionality, and the potential to last a lifetime. During your consultation, we’ll help you determine if you’re a good candidate for this type of denture.
What Are the Benefits of Dentures?
While dentures have been around for hundreds of years, they’ve advanced by leaps and bounds thanks to modern dental technology and materials. Nowadays, dentures are more lifelike and comfortable than ever before! This popular restoration offers several benefits, such as:
- Improved appearance: Your dentures will be crafted from natural-looking and reliable materials so you can show off your new smile confidently.
- Restored functionality: Restoring your smile with dentures allows you to speak clearly, chew comfortably, and enjoy a full, varied diet.
- Speed of treatment: In most cases, traditional dentures can help you replace your missing teeth in a matter of just a few weeks.
- Cost-effectiveness: When it comes to tooth replacement options, dentures are the most affordable option. Dental insurance may even pay for part of the cost.
Ready to replace those missing teeth! Start your journey towards a complete smile by giving us a call and scheduling your consultation today.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
We want to help you understand your investment in your new smile. For any specific concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to speak with one of our friendly team members. However, we’ve also included some important information about what variables can contribute to the overall price of your treatment. Read on to learn more about the cost of your dentures in Lakewood.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
When it comes to the price of your dentures, there are 3 main influential factors to keep in mind:
- Preparation: Do you need any treatments before beginning dentures like tooth extractions? This will impact your cost.
- Acrylic: The base for your dentures can be made out of different types of acrylic, which is dyed to match the color of your gums.
- Artificial teeth: Your replacement teeth can be made of acrylic or porcelain and its important for them to be as lifelike as possible.
Remember, the cheapest option may not be the most ideal solution for you. Your smile is worth investing in, so try to avoid subpar acrylic materials for lasting results.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Yes, implant dentures are usually more expensive than traditional ones, but this is for good reason. We can combine dental implants with dentures to provide you with the most stable smile. Dental implants are tiny posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone. Once placed, they can support restorations like dentures. Dental implants themselves can last for a lifetime, which may even save you money in the long run from avoided replacements (the average traditional denture lasts between 5 and 7 years). But they also come with many other benefits, including bone health, naturality, strength, and much more.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Yes! Dentures are considered a major procedure, which is why most insurance providers will likely cover around 50% of the cost. No two smiles are the same, and insurance plans vary, which is why it’s important to check with your plan first. We are always more than happy to communicate with your provider to maximize any benefits we can for the most cost-effective dental care.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
At Dental Center of Lakewood, we are committed to helping our patients enjoy affordable dental care. If you don’t have insurance, there is no need to worry! We offer low-to-no interest financing through CareCredit, where you can also pick the monthly payment plans that work best for you. Additionally, we have new patient specials, including a free consultation to make it easy to get started on your dentures in Lakewood. Please contact our office to schedule your initial appointment and learn more.
Denture FAQs
Do you suffer from extensive tooth loss? If so, you may be thinking about replacing your missing teeth with dentures in Dallas. They’re an excellent way to rebuild your smile and restore your confidence! At Dental Center of Lakewood, we strive to be as helpful as possible on your journey towards achieving the full grin you’ve always dreamed of. That’s why we’ve decided to answer some of the most common questions we receive from patients about dentures. If you’d like to speak directly with a member of our team, don’t hesitate to contact us!
How Long Will You Have to Wait to Get Dentures After Your Teeth Are Pulled?
For most patients, the average wait time to receive dentures after getting their teeth extracted is between six to eight weeks. However, the exact amount of time needed depends on your unique case and the type of denture in question. It may seem like a long time to go without teeth, but it’s incredibly important that you allow your gums to heal to ensure the dentures fit properly. Immediate dentures can be placed on the same day as an extraction, but they’ll need to be switched out eventually as the shape of your jawbone changes while you heal. If you’re getting implant dentures, you’ll need to wait about four to six months for the post to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue via osseointegration.
Can You Sleep with Your Dentures?
When you first get your dentures, you’ll be asked to keep them in your mouth for an entire 24 hours, including sleep. But after that, you should take them out every evening when you go to bed. If you wear your prosthetics for too long, it can restrict the circulation in your gums and lead to soft tissue irritation, potentially speeding up ridge resorption. By taking your dentures out regularly, you give your gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need during the night. Additionally, sleeping with dentures is associated with a higher risk of pneumonia, poor oral hygiene, and higher levels of gum and tongue plaque.
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
Initially, you’ll find it challenging to speak with dentures because you’re so used to talking with your natural teeth. Many patients develop a mild lisp or another speech impediment when they first get their dentures. Luckily, these alterations will go away the more you practice and the quicker you adjust to your new prosthetics. To speed up the process, you can try reading aloud, having more conversations with loved ones, and repeating difficult-to-pronounce words. If you need extra stability, you can use denture adhesive while you’re adjusting.
Will Dentures Change the Shape of Your Face?
Missing teeth can cause your facial muscles to sag, giving your face a sunken appearance. By getting dentures in Dallas, you’ll be providing support to the collapsed facial muscles and preserving a fuller, more youthful appearance. Since ill-fitting dentures do not give your facial muscles proper support, it’s incredibly important that each restoration fits perfectly in your mouth. As soon as you realize your oral appliance doesn’t fit right, you should have it refitted or replaced right away.