Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth—things that people often take for granted.
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.
Jump up ^ Maeda, Y; Kenny, F; Coulter, W; Loughrey, A; Nagano, Y; Goldsmith, C; Millar, B; Dooley, J; James, S; Lowery, C; Rooney, P; Matsuda, M; Moore, J (2007). "Bactericidal activity of denture-cleaning formulations against planktonic healthcare-associated and community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus". American Journal of Infection Control. 35 (9): 619–22. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2007.01.003. PMID 17980242.
Overdentures are an alternative that can be used if traditional dentures prove to be extremely uncomfortable or if you have a few natural teeth left. Overdentures are fitted over the roots of natural teeth and either rest on these or on dental implants, if there are no natural teeth to fit over. Some find this type of denture more comfortable and they are also easily removable.
Partial dentures are made to be removable and replace multiple missing teeth. A partial denture is constructed by a molded plate, usually made of pink acrylic to mimic your gums, affixed with replacement teeth. Depending on your needs, your dentist will choose to design a partial denture made from a metal framework of clasps or precision attachments connecting the plate to your natural teeth.
Getting dentures can be an intimidating process. The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) answers the most popular questions regarding denture costs. Read more about denture adhesives here.How much do dentures cost?Answer: That is a really good question that has a range of answers. The cost of dentures is dependent upon the conditions within your mouth, the types of materials being used, the techniques used by the dentist or prosthodontist, as well as the location and general operating costs of the dental office. Denture care is an ongoing service to maintain a healthy mouth. What many patients don't realize is that there is a service aspect connected to complete denture care, which includes modification of dentures over time to eliminate "sore spots" or to improve how the teeth fit for chewing, and correcting the look of or adjusting the dentures to make them more comfortable and stable. The conditions of your mouth make your treatment easier or harder and therefore may result in different costs. If cost is your primary concern, you might want to locate a dental school in your community for treatment. Keep in mind, low-cost treatment is of limited value if you have to have the treatment done over again in a short time. To locate a prosthodontist near you,visit www.gotoapro.org. Read more about denture adhesive creams here. Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists. Back to top
I began to get suspicious when they refused to pull my teeth unless I agreed to buy their most expensive package. Being in a dire financial situation I really didn't have much a choice. The most expensive package isn't what I wanted but it was still far cheaper than getting work done elsewhere. I agreed and signed the necessary paperwork. My next appointment was going to be about a week later.
I am missing almost all of my upper teeth and am considering full dentures. What are the costs for extraction and for the dentures? Also, what is the timeframe for ordering and wearing the new dentures after extraction?Answer: The fee for removing your remaining teeth varies upon the complexity of the procedure required to remove your teeth as well as your geographic location. Some dental schools, including hospital-based programs, may offer reduced fees if you use a resident (a dentist in training for additional skills) or a dental student to perform the procedure (under the supervision of licensed dentists). The timing of the placement of the dentures can vary widely. Dentures may be made prior to the removal of the remaining teeth and may be inserted the day the teeth are extracted, or the teeth may be removed and healing allowed to take place before the dentures are delivered several weeks or even months later. Most patients want to have dentures sooner rather than later, but dentures placed soon after or immediately after teeth have been extracted may need to be adjusted or replaced after the healing process is finished.Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists. Back to top
Dentures provide several cosmetic benefits. They fill in gaps left by missing teeth so a person can feel more confident about his or her appearance. Dentures also prevent further shifting of the remaining teeth and improve facial structure. They offer a range of functional benefits, which include helping the patients chew food more easily and improving speech.
I wasted 4 hours of my time today to be denied service I requested. Apparently the dentist is too worried about being sued (a statement she made to me about her not wanting to be sued if I changed my mind after the fact - you'd think they'd have some kind of legal waiver for patients like me) to consider the fact that I'm in extreme pain, have limited resources, have spent 30 years and tens of thousands of dollars to fix the teeth that she wants kept in my mouth and I want removed. The impact of my current condition is both physical and emotional. However, to her credit she said it was in my best interest not to get dentures and was not charged for the visit. I'm irritated that my opinion didn't count at all and was flat out denied service I wanted.
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.
