Dentures – Aurora, IN

Effects of Missing Teeth

Whether missing teeth are caused by poor oral hygiene or facial trauma, the effects caused by these gaps can cause much discomfort and dismay for individuals with incomplete smiles. Eating, speaking, and having the self-confidence to smile can seem impossible.

As a result, when nutritious foods cannot be consumed because of missing teeth, the body will suffer, resulting in malnutrition. When an individual cannot speak clearly, it can make trying to converse with others increasingly difficult and even embarrassing. When missing teeth lead to the inability to smile out of fear of judgment, it can take its toll on a person mentally, emotionally, and behaviorally.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

If a person is missing an entire arch of teeth, they’ll likely be considered a candidate for treatment. If a person is only missing a few natural teeth, they may be recommended for a dental bridge. However, if there is a chance the individual could face additional tooth loss in the future, it may be in the person’s best interest to go ahead and have these teeth removed so that a full denture can be put into place.

No matter the decision, patients can trust that our team will identify the ideal solution and establish a treatment plan to help them attain their goals.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Should there be a discussion that an individual is better off pursuing an alternative method of tooth replacement, one of the following options will likely be recommended:

• Dental Bridges – Combining dental crowns and pontics (false teeth), a dental bridge can be created and placed over the top of the gums. These are held into place using healthy adjacent teeth, and the remaining portion of the bridge fills in the gaps of the smile.
• Dental Implants – Surgically implanted into the jawbone are titanium posts that mimic natural tooth roots. Offering stimulation to the bone to prevent facial collapse, these prosthetics support a custom denture, bridge, or crown that is designed to fill in the gaps in a person’s smile. They’re known for their stability and longevity, lasting significantly longer than dental bridges or traditional dentures.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures consist of two distinct parts: the base and artificial teeth. Each must be crafted with optimal precision if they are to work together correctly.

• Denture Base: Acrylic, resin, and nylon at the three common materials used to create a denture base. This is the foundation for your new smile and will support the artificial teeth that are affixed into place. In most cases, acrylic is used because it can be matched to look like natural gum tissue, allowing it to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your mouth.
• Artificial Teeth: The teeth that are placed on top of the base are artificial and made primarily from porcelain or resin. Offering a more natural-looking aesthetic, these teeth are positioned along the base in corresponding areas so that whether only a few or an entire arch of teeth are missing, the artificial ones will fit ideally in place.

The Denture Creation Process

Crafting dentures requires a precise process – one that follows various steps, each one essential to the overall success of your new smile. After your dentist captures impressions of your mouth and measurements of your jawbone, we will create a model that will be sent off to a local laboratory for further creation.

The following steps will then occur:

• Lab technicians will create a wax replica of your gumline before setting the artificial teeth in place with an articulator.
• After making minor adjustments, the dentures will be returned to our office, allowing you to undergo your first fitting. If no altering is required, they will be sent back to the lab for completion.
• Technicians will place the dentures in a flask and add plaster before inserting the flask into hot water. This causes the wax to melt, leaving behind the plaster.
• They will create holes in the teeth before injecting acrylic into the flask so that it replaces the wax.
• After removing the plaster from the flask, your dentures will be placed in an ultrasonic bath so that any remaining plaster comes off. They will also remove any excess acrylic.
• With a final polish, the dentures will be sent back to our office for final placement.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Receiving new dentures can be exciting, but it can also require a bit of an adjustment. Your mouth must become used to these teeth, which means taking time to eat slowly, learn how to chew correctly, and speak clearly. You may need to consume softer foods in the beginning as well as talk slower while practicing hard-to-say words and sounds. Before long, you can expect your new dentures to fit more comfortably and offer the kind of function you desire. However, should you notice any changes or discomfort, make sure to call our office and let a member of our team know.

Psychological Benefits

When wearing dentures, patients may begin to discover a desire to engage in social interactions because of the change in their appearance. When a person likes the way they look, they tend to speak more confidently about themselves, which can have a positive effect on their mental and emotional health. As a stable form of tooth replacement, dentures offer individuals a renewed outlook that promotes greater overall well-being.

Clear Enunciation

To speak clearly, the tongue must come into contact with a person’s teeth. If they are missing, this can cause slurred speech or a lisp. Fortunately, receiving dentures can restore an individual’s ability to speak, making it easier to give a presentation at work or talk on the phone with family and friends. Although there is likely to be an adjustment phase initially, consistent practice when it comes to saying certain words can help reduce this timeframe.

Improves Nutrition

Receiving custom dentures not only improves one’s appearance but also their nutrition. Biting down and eating more nutrient-rich foods lowers the chances of malnutrition and illness – both of which are common among those living without a full set of teeth. Instead, dentures restore a portion of a person’s bite force, so it’s no longer necessary to only eat soft foods. Leafy greens, lean proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables can be fixtures during mealtime.

Preserves Oral Health

If a person has any natural teeth remaining but requires a partial denture, the decision to have one created can do wonders for their oral health. Oftentimes, gaps in a person’s smile can make it easier for healthy teeth to shift out of alignment. This happens because they are attempting to fill the space. Unfortunately, this only creates additional problems and tends to require orthodontics later on. With dentures, though, these prosthetics keep everything in place.

Expands Opportunity

Making a good first impression is essential these days. The smile is often the first thing people notice, so making sure it is full and healthy can make a big difference. With dentures, a person can confidently enter a job interview or sit down for a first date feeling more confident in their appearance – a characteristic that will increase their chances of getting the job or securing a second date.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

A denture dentist in Aurora must meet with patients before any decision is made regarding this type of restorative prosthetic. Some of the factors that must be determined before providing a cost estimate to an individual interested in dentures:

• The number of teeth that are missing
• If preliminary treatments are necessary (i.e., bone grafting, periodontal therapy, tooth extraction)
• The types of materials used to create the dentures (acrylic and/or porcelain)

There are cheaper dentures made by various manufacturers and pushed by other dental offices; however, choosing this route will only lead to weakened prosthetics that require more frequent replacement.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Implant dentures are more expensive than traditional prosthetics. Their titanium posts must be surgically implanted into the jawbone before they can adequately support a custom-made denture. Because of the oral surgery that is required as well as the longevity they provide, which is often 30+ years, they are often worth the investment for many patients. Instead of seeking new teeth every 10-15 years, implant dentures can remain in place for as long as a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. The caveat that comes with implant dentures is that patients must possess good overall health before moving forward with treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Most dental insurance companies do offer coverage for dentures in Aurora. Typically, the percentage offered is up to 50%. If a person has met their deductible and has a remaining balance in their annual maximum allotment, the insurance company will agree to pay for a portion of the treatment. This is good news for anyone in need of a fully restored smile but lacks the out-of-pocket funds to afford it.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

At Grand Dental – Aurora, our team is pleased to offer patients who do not have insurance with alternative payment solutions: flexible financing and an in-house membership plan. With CareCredit, individuals can enroll in a low-to-no-interest payment plan with no surprise fees. With our in-house membership plan, patients can pay one low price to receive access to high-quality dental care at a more affordable rate and without the red tape of dental insurance.

Removable Dentures

Unless you have dentures that are held in place by dental implants, you will have removable artificial teeth. This means you can easily take them out and reinsert them. As a result, it’s important to remember that you will need to take extra precautions to keep them free of bacterial accumulation and food debris, which requires incorporating the following steps into your daily routine.

Remove After Eating

It is easy for food debris to settle into the tiny gaps that may exist between your dentures and gums (or any existing natural teeth). To keep these particles from irritating your soft oral tissues and increasing the risk of gum disease, make sure to remove them after every meal. You can rinse them off with lukewarm water if you are unable to brush them. You’ll also want to flush out your mouth before reinserting your teeth.

Clean Your Restoration

A specialized denture brush can be helpful when cleaning your prosthetics, as it offers a more targeted way to remove bacteria, food, and plaque from these teeth. However, you can always use a soft-bristle toothbrush and lukewarm water to achieve the same level of cleanliness. This approach will eliminate any harmful bacteria that can otherwise cause bad breath and a breakdown of your oral health and denture lifespan.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

While biting down on a hard object can certainly damage your dentures, there are other things you need to watch for if you want to keep your teeth safe: sinks, children, and pets. When cleaning your prosthetics, make sure there is a towel lying in the sink. This will protect them should you accidentally drop them. Also, children and pets are fun to have around, but they can lead to denture loss or damage if you’re not careful. Keep your teeth out of sight and out of reach.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

Before going to bed, place your dentures in a glass of water or denture cleaner. This not only ensures they receive a more thorough cleaning but also keeps them moist. There is no need to wear your teeth while you’re asleep. Your gums and bone can regain valuable nutrients throughout the night, as well as have a break from supporting your prosthetics during the day.

Notice Changes

It is normal to experience changes to your dentures over time. As jawbone resorption occurs, which is likely if there is no tooth root to continue stimulating the bone, your facial shape may take on a different form, causing your dentures to no longer fit as comfortably as they once did. If you notice gum irritation or soreness, or your teeth slip or easily fall out when eating or talking, notify our office so that we can provide a reline or replacement.