The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over a period of several weeks. Highly accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Several “try-in” appointments may be necessary to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit.
One of the major treatments for dealing with missing teeth has always been dentures. Known by its less flattering name ‘false teeth’, there is a certain stigma that has unfairly dogged the use of dentures. This is mainly because old dentures are known to be wobbly, ill-fitting and artificial looking. However, thanks to advancements in modern dentistry, today’s dentures no longer conjure images of fake-looking choppers.
Christopher Athari, DMD, FICOI, FAAIP, is a general dentist and is the practice owner of this Affordable Dentures & Implants-affiliated practice in Mesa, AZ. Dr. Athari and his staff look forward to fulfilling the denture and dental implant needs of patients who travel from Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Maricopa, Sun Lakes, Apache Junction, Fountain Hills, Florence, Superior and surrounding communities.
The initial appointment started with a consultation. I didn't actually have anything done that day. The dentist and an assistant came in and gave me the costs as well as explained the process. They were fairly thorough and had no problems answering my questions. At this point I figured that I had maybe dodged a bullet. I was very hopeful that I was going to be one of the lucky ones.
Getting dentures can take several appointments over the course of a few weeks. The dentist will take impressions of your jaw and take measurements to help create a try-on model. It may take several try-on models before the correct fit, shape, and color and perfected. Finally, the dentures will be made and fitted. Dr. Swift or Dr. Myers will make any minor adjustments to help the patient feel more comfortable with their new dentures.
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 bought a full upper denture and within months, they were way too loose. I was told by my dentist they would need relining after several months. My dentist now wants $475 to reline and fit these very thin dentures, but she never mentioned I would be charged to have these refitted. After paying $2,500 total (and unexpectedly), I was just wondering Is this the norm? Or was I just unlucky?Answer: Whenever teeth are extracted, the jawbone and gums in the areas where the teeth used to be start to shrink. This shrinkage can continue for the rest of your life, and this is part of the reason that most dentures need to be refit periodically. Because the most rapid jaw shrinkage occurs during the first six months after extractions, it would be quite normal for your dentures to be loose after six months and require relining. Because the need for this additional and continual treatment (refitting) can vary greatly from patient to patient and time to time, it is most often considered as a separate part of your treatment plan, and the time necessary to accomplish this service is billed accordingly.Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists. Back to top
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.
