Dentures are a great option for tooth replacement as they restore oral health and restore the normal function and appearance of teeth. Today’s dentures are crafted using strong yet lightweight materials, and are custom-made to a patient’s unique specifications for a secure and comfortable fit.
If you are missing most or all of your original teeth, Dr. Julie Spaniel can help you navigate your options in tooth replacement, including dentures. Once the Portland dentist evaluates your unique case and understands your dental needs and goals, she can recommend a treatment plan that best offers you a second chance at a healthy and beautiful smile.
Understanding Your Denture Options
Dentures are dental appliances that consist of fully functional artificial teeth affixed to a pink plastic base that resembles the appearance of gum tissue. Dentures can be either complete or partial. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or both while partial dentures replace only some of the teeth in the lower or upper jaw.
Traditional dentures are removable but nowadays many patients opt for implant-fixed dentures, which involve anchoring the denture with several implant posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone for added stability and support. Once in place, the implant-fixed denture can only be removed by a dentist. Dr. Spaniel can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type of denture with you during an in-office consultation.
Fitting & Placing Dentures
Dentures are designed and placed over the course of two appointments. In the first appointment, Dr. Spaniel will take impressions of your mouth. These impressions, along with other measurements and information, will be sent to the dental laboratory and used to create your dentures. It is also during your first appointment that Dr. Spaniel will select the color, shape and size of the artificial teeth for your dentures. The goal is to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. If you are getting a partial denture, the artificial teeth will be crafted to resemble the remaining natural teeth to create a seamless look.
Once your dentures are ready, you will return to our office for placement. Dr. Spaniel will check your bite to make sure your dentures fit properly. Last-minute adjustments to the dentures will be made as needed. It may take some time for you to get used to wearing your prosthetics; this is normal as your mouth adjusts to chewing and speaking with the dentures. Within a few weeks, your dentures should start to feel more comfortable and secure in your mouth.
Our team at Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry will provide you with detailed instructions on how to clean and care for your dentures. Routine dental cleanings are important so Dr. Spaniel can ensure your dentures are in good condition and functioning properly. Should you have any questions or concerns about your dentures, do not hesitate to contact our office.
Advantages of Choosing Dentures
Dentures are both an economical and practical solution for reconstructing your smile. Today’s dentures fit better and look more realistic than the dentures available for previous generations. This means your smile looks natural and should not slip out of place mid-conversation or -meal. It also means no more hiding your smile to avoid showing people your teeth!
Having a full set of teeth should help you to eat and speak better. It can take a small amount of practice to become comfortable with your new teeth, but in no time you will chew with a normal motion and speak without an impediment.
The removability of dentures also makes maintaining good hygiene that much easier.
Taking Care of Your Dentures
Dentures are durable and can be used for many years (up to 10) before replacement becomes necessary. To maximize the lifespan of your dentures, you should take care of them every day, just like you would real teeth. After you eat, remove and rinse your dentures to get rid of any lingering food particles. Once a day, you should also brush your dentures (just not with toothpaste since that is too abrasive) with soap or denture cleaner. While you sleep, store your dentures in a room-temperature glass of water so that they do not warp. This ensures that the fit is correct for the long term.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are in most respects the same as traditional dentures, but they are custom created so that they can slide in between your natural teeth. Dr. Spaniel will assess which of your remaining teeth are healthy enough to stay and then take detailed digital images of your mouth to map out partial dentures that can complete your smile. Since this is a more nuanced treatment than traditional dentures, you should seek care from a top dentist like Dr. Spaniel who has experience rehabilitating patients’ mouths with partial dentures.
Denture Costs
Denture prices can vary based on style and quality. Partial dentures, one row of dentures, and a complete set of dentures also have different prices. Dr. Spaniel and the team at Summerwood Family Dental will help you find great dentures that fit your budget and high standards.
Dental insurance plans typically cover dentures, but not always in full depending on your policy’s spending cap. Our team will ensure that you make the most of your benefits to avoid any unnecessary out-of-pocket costs.
Denture Alternatives
In most cases, Dr. Spaniel believes in saving natural teeth rather than extracting them to make way for dentures. If you have some healthy teeth that can help support prosthetics, Dr. Spaniel may recommend dental bridges, which are prosthetics that are supported by your natural teeth to fill in the holes in your smile.
You may also be a good candidate for dental implants, which permanently secure fully functional prosthetic teeth directly to the jawbone. You may replace as many teeth as you wish with dental implants, but you may find it more affordable to try dentures or dental bridges if you are missing many teeth.
Learn More About Dentures
For more information on dentures or the other restorative dentistry options Dr. Spaniel offers, schedule a consultation. Contact Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry by calling our office or emailing us today.