Dentures & Partials – Plano, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

Sometimes teeth are knocked out of your mouth during an accident. In other cases, they might be lost as a result of gum disease or decay. No matter the underlying cause, though, missing teeth are always a serious dental issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

When you don’t have a full set of teeth, you’re likely to be limited in what you can eat, which can lead to poor nutrition. Also, your confidence might suffer due to your incomplete grin. Depending on what or how many teeth were lost, you may have trouble speaking clearly.

Furthermore, without the support of your teeth, your facial structures may start to collapse, causing you to look older. And in many cases, missing teeth can increase your risk of gum disease, which in turn can contribute to a number of health issues like gum disease.

In short, the sooner you have your missing teeth replaced, the better it will be for your health and your daily life.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

We recommend dentures for patients who have lost multiple teeth. They may also be a good choice if you’re suffering from extensive tooth decay that is going to require extractions in the future. Note that we’ll need to make sure that your gums and jawbone are healthy before moving forward with the denture process.

There are different types of dentures that you might qualify for, and the kind you need depends on the number of teeth missing as well as other factors. Also, it’s worth remembering that dentures tend to be more affordable than other tooth-replacement options, so if you’re on a budget they can often be your most cost-effective choice.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Patients who are unable to get dentures may still be able to replace their missing teeth with bridges or dental implants.

• Dental Bridges: A dental bridge can fill in the space left by a single missing tooth or several consecutive missing teeth. We can only place a bridge if there are healthy teeth next to the gap.
• Dental Implants: A dental implant is a post that’s inserted into your jawbone, acting as a root for new teeth. A certain level of jawbone density is required to have dental implants placed. The initial cost is higher compared to other kinds of tooth replacements, but the tradeoff is that implants can last for decades or even your lifetime.

What are Dentures Made Of?

No matter the type, every denture has two crucial parts: the base and the artificial teeth. Each of these helps the prosthetic function properly. Find out more by reviewing the following details:

• Denture Base – Put simply, a denture’s base is the pink-colored part that sits on your gums. Its core role is to support the artificial teeth. As such, most dental labs will make a base from acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal materials. (A denture’s type will influence which is used.)
• Artificial Teeth – Per their name, artificial teeth are a denture’s tooth-replacing portions. They’re usually made from resin or porcelain, both of which can seem like enamel. That said, porcelain is the more popular material; it looks and feels more like natural teeth.

The Denture Creation Process

Rather than one-size-fits-all, each denture is custom-made for the patient’s mouth. That means making one requires a multi-step process. In particular, the steps involved are:

• Step 1: Your dentist will take a dental impression. By doing so, they can make a plaster model that matches the final denture’s size and shape.
• Step 2: The plaster model is sent to a lab that makes dentures. The latter will make a wax gum line by relying on the former.
• Step 3: A lab will set artificial teeth in the wax base. The resulting prototype will be used for your finished dentures.
• Step 4: The wax dentures will go to the dentist for a fitting. They’ll later return to the dental lab to complete the final restorations.
• Step 5: A worker will boil the dentures to remove their wax. From there, the prosthetics will be placed in a flask. Said flask will receive plaster and sit in hot water.
• Step 6: A separator will go into the plaster layer, preventing the acrylic from sticking. This acrylic will be injected into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7: The plaster will be removed to reveal the dentures. The restorations will then be placed in a bath to remove their residue.
• Step 8: Excess acrylic will be cut from the denture. Said denture will then be polished.
• Step 9: The patient will have the dentures fitted. At that time, the dentist will adjust things so the denture works smoothly.

Learn About All-on-4 Dentures

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

You may feel discomfort when you start wearing dentures. However, this symptom is normal; it fades quickly. Before you know it, your mouth will adjust so dentures feel natural.

If you’re in a hurry, though, you can speed up the adjustment. Simply practice certain mouth habits. For instance, try eating soft foods for a week that won’t irritate your gums. Alternatively, exercise your facial muscles or use denture adhesives. These acts would help you adjust and reduce aches.

Whatever method you use, be careful. It’s best to see a dentist if your pain persists. In the latter case, you may need replacement work.

Psychological Benefits

Losing any teeth can have a major impact on your self-confidence and quality of life. Many people who’ve suffered tooth loss end up experiencing an increased risk of social anxiety, sadness, and even depression. By restoring your smile with help from your denture dentist in Plano, you can avoid worrying about how you look when you talk or laugh. Since you’ll be able to eat and speak more confidently again, you’ll also enjoy a boost in self-esteem when engaging in social activities.

Clearer Enunciation

It can be challenging to pronounce certain words whenever you’re missing teeth. This is because your lips and tongue interact with them to execute proper speech. Without clear enunciation, it can be difficult to communicate effectively. Since dentures restore your entire smile, they can make it easier for you to converse with others again. While this may take some practice to get accustomed to using them, you’ll be able to speak more fluently and confidently in no time!

Improves Nutrition

Tooth loss can impact the appearance of your smile as well as the kinds of foods you can eat. If you can’t chew your meals thoroughly, you might experience problems like indigestion and malnutrition. By restoring your teeth with dentures in Plano, you’ll regain the capability to break down your food, expanding the scope of your diet. Plus, you’ll be free to consume meals containing essential nutrients to boost your health.

Preserves Oral Health

Whenever you’re missing teeth, adjacent teeth can begin to shift out of place to fill in the gap. If left unchecked, there is potential for further tooth loss and jawbone resorption. These possible complications can be avoided by getting dentures to help stabilize your smile. Your restorations are able to withstand more chewing pressure and prevent further wear and tear of your remaining natural teeth.

Expands Opportunities

Your grin is one of the most crucial aspects of a first impression since it’s one of the main things people will notice about you. This is especially the case during job interviews, social gatherings, and even first dates. In fact, according to a 2019 study, poor oral health was closely associated with a lower probability of being employed. For this reason, regaining your complete smile with dentures will improve your health as well as boost your career and personal opportunities in the years to come!

Removeable Dentures

Remove After Eating

Once you’re done eating, remember to remove and rinse your dentures. By doing this after meals, you can prevent the buildup of food debris and plaque. When rinsing, don’t use water that is too hot. This could warp the denture material and cause them not to fit.

Clean Your Restoration

You should remove your dentures from your mouth to clean them. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of unscented hand soap, mild dish soap, or denture cleanser to carefully brush your prosthesis. Don’t use regular toothpaste because it is too abrasive for your dentures. If you aren’t going to wear your dentures again right away, place them in a container of water or denture-cleansing solution to prevent them from drying out and losing their shape. Always rinse your dentures thoroughly before putting them back into your mouth. Denture-cleansing materials are not intended to be used in your mouth.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

When you clean your dentures, you may want to place a towel underneath just in case the dentures slip out of your hands. This happens more often than you would think, and the towel can help to keep them from becoming damaged. When they are not being worn, be sure to keep your dentures in a place out of reach of small children and pets.

Remove When You Sleep

Take your dentures out at night before going to sleep. When you wear your dentures, you are restricting the circulation in your gums which can lead to soft-tissue irritation. By taking them out at night, you are giving your gums a break. Sleeping with dentures has also been associated with a higher risk of pneumonia and higher levels of gum and tongue plaque. Overnight, keep your dentures in a denture-soaking solution.

Notice Changes

Always be mindful of changes occurring in your mouth so you can address them with your dentist. This includes mouth sores, gum irritation, and signs of infection. If your dentures become damaged, you shouldn’t attempt to repair them on your own. Give us a call instead. For dentures that are shifting, clicking, or showing other signs of not fitting correctly, let us know! We are always happy to help.

All-on-4 Dentures

Caring for All-on-4 dentures works a little bit differently. You should brush your dentures twice a day using a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Stay away from toothpaste that contains baking soda or stain-removing agents. Floss your replacement teeth every day. Floss threaders are available to help you floss beneath your denture. It’s also a great idea to rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash daily to prevent the growth of tartar.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

There are three major factors that influence how much dentures cost:

• The preparation that must be done before the denture can be worn (tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, etc.)
• The type of acrylic that is used to create the base (the part of denture that is dyed to look like gum tissue)
• The material of the replacement teeth (usually acrylic or porcelain)

Keep in mind that when it comes to dental work, the least expensive option is not always the best! Very cheap dentures might be poorly made and fall apart too easily. When it comes to your smile, quality is important!

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Yes, implant dentures cost more than traditional dentures, but for good reason. Implant dentures are attached to titanium posts that have been placed in your jawbone, so they are much more secure and lifelike. Because they replace the roots of your lost teeth as well as the crowns, implant dentures are look, feel, and function more like your natural teeth than any other option. You’ll be able to smile with confidence and chew all of your favorite foods with ease!

Implant dentures are also an investment that should pay for itself in the long run. Traditional dentures typically must be replaced every five to seven years, compounding their initial cost. By contrast, once your dentist in Plano installs your implant dentures, they should be able to last for decades or even a lifetime.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

The vast majority of dental insurance companies consider dentures a major restorative procedure. For that reason, insurance should generally pay around 50% of the cost. However, every policy differs, so we’ll have to review the specifics of yours to determine how much coverage you qualify for.

At Legacy Trails Dental of Plano, we’re in-network with virtually all PPO dental insurance providers. We can even file your claims and handle the necessary paperwork on your behalf to help make the process as easy as possible for you.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

If you’re uninsured or you need assistance funding your dentures, don’t worry. We have helped countless patients fit their dental care into their budgets through our partnership with CareCredit. This financing company lets you break up the cost of your dentures into monthly payments, often with low-to-no interest.

Can I Sleep with My Dentures?

When you first receive your dentures, you’ll probably be advised to keep them in your mouth for the first 24 hours, including sleep, to help your mouth get used to them. After that, your denture dentist in Plano will generally suggest taking your dentures out before you go to bed.

Wearing dentures for too long can restrict circulation in your gums, which may lead to irritation and sores. Removing your dentures at night gives your gums a chance to recover. Just make sure that when you take your dentures out, you do NOT let them dry out. This could warp their shape and make them not fit as comfortably anymore. Let them soak in a glass of denture cleaning solution or room-temperature water (hot water could also change their shape).

Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?

You should brush and rinse your dentures every day, but do NOT use the same type of toothpaste you would use for natural teeth. Toothpaste is abrasive to the materials dentures are made from. It can create microscopic scratches on the dentures’ surface that may lead to serious damage over time. In the same vein, you should always use a soft-bristled brush to clean your dentures, not a hard-bristled one.

Be sure to clean your dentures after every meal, as well as when you first wake up. Always buy products that are specially made to clean dentures. You could also use mild dishwashing liquid or hand soap.

Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?

It can take some time to get used to speaking when you first get dentures in Plano. The length of this adjustment process varies from one person to the next, but generally, you can speed this process up by practicing. Read your favorite book out loud to yourself, call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while, or even just sing in the shower! Denture adhesive can also give your new teeth some stability, which can help greatly when you’re still adjusting.

Can You Still Eat Steak with Dentures?

Chewy meats like steak can be difficult to eat with dentures, but it can be done with the right precautions. Opt for tenderloin and other beef cuts that don’t have as many muscle fibers or connective tissues, which make steak hard to chew. Ensure the meat is tenderized beforehand. Cut the meat into small, more manageable chunks. Also, be sure your dentures fit properly. Wearing denture adhesive can help.