Dentures – Edmond, OK

Effects of Missing Teeth

Tooth enamel is the strongest material in the entire body. However, it isn’t completely indestructible. Teeth become damaged in a variety of different ways, like through tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma to the mouth. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are numerous negative side effects of tooth loss, like facial sagging, difficulty speaking, trouble eating, and low self-confidence. By replacing your missing teeth with dentures, you can improve all of these areas, positively impacting your quality of life.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures are a great solution for people who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. Depending on the number of teeth that you are missing and where they are located in the mouth. Our team can put together a customized treatment plan to meet your needs. It is important that you have good oral health before you can get dentures, so any existing dental issues, like tooth decay or gum disease, need to be eliminated beforehand. Once your existing teeth and gums are looking good, we can move on to planning the rest of the process.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Don’t think dentures are the right option for you? You could benefit from a different tooth replacement option that we offer. Here are the ones that are available:

• Dental Bridge: A dental bridge works by “bridging” the gap in your smile with a replacement tooth. The replacement tooth, also called a “pontic,” is supported by two dental crowns that are placed on the adjacent teeth. This is ideal for those whoa re only missing one or a few consecutive teeth.
• Dental Implants: A dental implant is a titanium, screw-like post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth. This requires that the patient has a healthy jawbone. Dental implants have a higher upfront cost, but they are made to last for many decades or even the rest of your life.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What Are Dentures Made Of?

These prosthetics will generally be made of two components:

• The Base: This is the foundation that will rest atop your gum line and will be designed to blend seamlessly with the rest of your mouth. The material is usually acrylic since it can easily mimic natural gum tissue. Partial dentures often consist of both acrylic and metal clips that will clasp to nearby teeth for support.
• The Artificial Teeth: Your new smile will usually be made out of either acrylic or porcelain. While both can look and function like natural tooth enamel, porcelain is often the popular choice for full dentures due to its durability. As for partial dentures, acrylic is used because it isn’t abrasive to any existing natural teeth.

The Denture Creation Process

Creating your lifelike prosthetics will involve multiple important steps:

• Once our team has performed any preliminary services, such as gum disease treatment or extractions, we will take digital impressions of your gum line for a more comfortable process and accuracy.
• We will then send your impressions and jaw measurements to a trusted dental lab where they will work on constructing your prosthetics. There, they will develop a wax replica of your gumline and embed artificial teeth in it.
• The lab will send the wax version to our office and we’ll have you return for a fitting. If all looks well, we’ll send the dentures back for completion. We will work closely with the technicians to ensure that your brand-new teeth meet our high-quality standards. Your dentures will also be trimmed and polished to perfection before being sent back to us for a final fitting.
• Our team will make any minor adjustments to your prosthetics if necessary. Once we’ve confirmed that the results are correct and satisfactory, you’ll be free to show off and enjoy your new smile.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

After first getting your custom dentures, it’s normal for them to feel mildly strange as you get used to them being in your mouth. You may even expect your gums to be sore while you get accustomed to the fit. This should be temporary and can easily be managed by taking pain relievers as well as practicing speaking and eating. If you need help with support, our team may provide you with denture adhesive to make your adjustment process easier. If you notice any abnormalities in your prosthetics, such as a loose fit, notify us so that we can resolve the issue.

Psychological Benefits

Those suffering from moderate to severe tooth loss know all too well the difficulties of being able to eat comfortably, speak clearly, and smile confidently. Missing some teeth or an entire arch of them can often cause people to struggle with feelings of sadness and depression, and they’re less likely to be willing to participate in social events. Dentures, however, can rebuild your lost pearly whites as well as reduce any anxieties you may feel toward your appearance, speech, chewing ability, and more. You can expect to feel more confident when showing off your new grin.

Clearer Enunciation

Teeth are crucial for being able to enunciate various sounds and words, as we typically press our tongues and lips against them. Having even one of them missing can alter your speech, which can be troubling for many when it comes to communicating with others. Fortunately, dentures are a cost-effective way to reliably renew your smile while also helping you regain the structures needed for proper speech articulation.

Improves Nutrition

Some food options can be tougher in texture, including fruits, veggies, lean meats, and other healthy choices. Not having a strong or adequate bite can make it difficult to chew on your meals, which can potentially lead to issues like malnutrition and indigestion. With dentures, you can restore the majority of your biting power so that you can expand your diet. You may even be able to introduce meals that are vitamin-dense, allowing you to improve the health of your gums and bone tissue.

Preserves Oral Health

Patients can sometimes retain some of their natural healthy teeth after tooth loss, but they can be at risk of dental shifting if left unchecked. Without sufficient tooth roots to stimulate the bone tissue, the jawbone can begin to deteriorate and weaken, which can eventually allow other teeth to move out of place to fill in the gaps. Dentures can act as placeholders, preventing any other existing teeth from shifting. Your prosthetics can also help distribute the pressure of chewing more evenly, which can help you avoid wear and tear.

Expands Opportunities

Your smile is essential for chewing and speaking, but what about first impressions? Since it’s one of the first things people notice about you, it’s clear that replacing missing teeth with dentures can give you an advantage in expanding your opportunities, both professional and social. Whether you’re preparing for a job promotion or a date, you can often expect to improve your chances of success by regaining your bite and boosting your confidence with these lifelike dental prosthetics.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

Every mouth is as unique as fingerprints, and every situation differs. Therefore, many things can influence your estimate. During your consultation, your dentist may find certain issues that must be addressed before getting dentures. It's not unusual to require gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, or other treatments.

In addition, the quality of the materials you choose can also influence the cost. Discounted materials may save money upfront, but you may pay more in terms of comfort, aesthetics, and durability. It's best to choose high-quality materials.

The type of denture and number of arches you're treating will also affect your estimate. We will create a personalized treatment plan and review your estimate, so you'll know exactly what you'll have to pay before committing to anything.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Believe it or not, implant dentures are the most cost-effective solution to replace missing teeth. They can last for decades, so you won't need to budget for replacements every few years, like with traditional dentures. Not to mention, implant dentures offer jawbone preservation, which isn't possible using traditional prosthetics. This keeps your jaw strong and healthy to improve your oral health, so you're less likely to need costly procedures later. As the next best thing to your natural teeth, implant dentures offer priceless benefits.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Dental insurance may cover the cost of your consultation and diagnostic services for a copay. Your policy may include some of the costs for any preparatory procedures after meeting your annual deductible. Your dental insurance may pay some of the fees for your denture until reaching your annual limit. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your coverage. A member of our dental team will explain how your benefits are being used and your payment options for any remaining balance.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

We will discuss all your payment options during your consultation, which includes:

• Traditional Payments: Our office accepts cash, personal checks, and most credit cards.
• Financing: Based on your credit approval, you may be a candidate for little or no interest in financing. You can make monthly installments on any out-of-pocket expenses using a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.
• In-House Membership Plan: If you don't have dental insurance, you can benefit from discounted rates for common services by joining our in-house membership plan.
• Specials: Our office has regular promotions for select services, which we will discuss during your appointment.