Extractions -- If this is your first set of dentures, you may need to see an oral surgeon to have your teeth extracted before your denture dentist can fit you for dentures. If you choose to see a prosthodontist - a dental specialist who has undergone three years of additional training in replacing missing teeth and restoring damaged teeth – you will likely pay more money to get your dentures than you would working with a general or cosmetic dentist.
Implant placement: The dental implants, which resemble small screws made of titanium, are surgically placed in the jawbone. In effect, a dental implant replaces the tooth's natural root. Each implant is inserted into the gums and jawbone through a small incision. One of the advantages of implant-supported dentures is that fewer implants can be placed than teeth. For complete upper dentures, between six and eight implants are placed. For complete lower dentures, four to five implants are placed. After the implants have been placed, the gums and bone will take three to six months to grown in around the implant, a process called osseointegration.
In the past, the artificial teeth that make up dentures were made out of porcelain or plastic, but more modern dentures are generally made out of a hard resin. The materials used to make denture teeth are known to be more fragile than natural teeth and can easily chip or crack if dropped or otherwise uncared for. This material also wears down much quicker than natural teeth and thus must be replaced with a new set of dentures every five years or so.
A mid-priced (and better quality) heat cured denture typically costs $500–$1,500 per denture or $1,000-$3,000 for a complete set. The teeth look much more natural and are much longer lasting than cold cured or temporary dentures. In many cases, they may be tried out before they are finished to ensure that all the teeth occlude (meet) properly and look esthetically pleasing. These usually come with a 90-day to two-year warranty and in some cases a money-back guarantee if the customer is not satisfied. In some cases, the cost of subsequent adjustments to the dentures is included.
See your dentist as soon as possible if your removable partial denture breaks, cracks or chips or if one of the teeth becomes loose. Also, your partial denture may need to be adjusted if you lose one of the supporting natural teeth. Sometimes dentists can make the repairs, often on the same day. Complex repairs can take longer. The sooner you make an appointment, the sooner you have a well-fitting partial denture again.
Our dentist may recommend complete or partial dentures to restore your smile if you are missing multiple teeth; dentures can improve your ability to properly speak and eat, restore your natural facial volume, and enhance the overall beauty of your smile. Your dentures will be custom made to fit your smile comfortably, aesthetically, and securely. We invite you to call or visit us soon to learn more about how dentures can improve your smile!
Removable dentures may be used in patients who are waiting for their permanent dental implants to be made or patients who choose removable dentures over dental implants. Removable dentures can replace as many missing teeth as needed, from all to just a few. Removal dentures tend to cost less, but they look less natural than dental implants and require special cleaning. Dr. Swift or Dr. Myers will discuss your options and help you make your best choice.
Problems with dentures may arise because patients are not used to having something in their mouth that is not food. The brain senses the appliance and interprets it as 'food', sending messages to the salivary glands to produce more saliva and to secrete it at a higher rate. This usually only happens in the first 12 to 24 hours, after which the salivary glands return to their normal output. New dentures can also be the cause of sore spots as they compress the denture-bearing soft tissues (mucosa). A few denture adjustments in the days following insertion of the dentures can take care of this problem. Gagging is another problem encountered by a minority of patients. At times, this may be due to a denture that is too loose, too thick or extended too far posteriorly onto the soft palate. At times, gagging may also be attributed to psychological denial of the denture. Psychological gagging is the most difficult to treat since it is out of the dentist's control. In such cases, an implant-supported palateless denture may have to be constructed. Sometimes there could be a gingivitis infection under the completed dentures, caused by the accumulation of dental plaque. One of the most common problems for wearers of new upper complete denture is a loss of taste sensations.
