No one ever thinks they will lose all of their natural teeth, but it’s an unfortunate reality for more than 40 million Americans. Dentures have been a way for people with missing teeth to rebuild their smiles for generations, and thanks to modern dental technology, today’s dentures are nothing like the uncomfortable, awkward prosthetics your parents or grandparents might have worn. Modern dentures use incredibly realistic materials that look and feel more natural than ever before, making it easy to smile after tooth loss. To get started on enjoying a complete smile again, contact our team at Heck Family Dentistry to schedule a consultation for dentures in Lawrence, KS.
Instructions for Complete Dentures Instructions for Partial Dentures Instructions After Soft Reline
If you’ve lost most or all of your teeth on an arch, or if you expect you’ll be losing your teeth soon, there’s a good chance that you’re a candidate for dentures. Of course, you’ll have to meet with one of our expert dentists just to be sure. During an initial consultation, they’ll examine your mouth to make sure you don’t have any untreated oral health concerns, such as gum disease. If they do detect any issues, we’ll work the appropriate procedures into your overall treatment plan.
Depending on your specific situation, your dentist in Lawrence might recommend one type of denture over another. Rest assured that each of the three main kinds of dentures is made from high-quality materials that are built to look natural and last for years to come.
A partial denture is ideal for patients who still have some real teeth remaining on an arch but would like to fill in the gaps. This prosthetic contains a gum-colored acrylic base and a number of artificial teeth placed in specific locations along a metal framework. Once the framework clasps into place behind your natural teeth, it should seamlessly blend in with the rest of your smile.
If you’ve lost all of your teeth on an arch, then a full denture can bring all of them back at the same time. An entire row of false teeth is attached to a pink base that sits on your gum tissue. Because of natural suction against the gums, the denture should remain in place throughout the day. A small amount of denture adhesive can stabilize the prosthetic even more if need be.
Traditional full and partial dentures are a tried-and-true form of tooth replacement, but they don’t quite feel as natural as real teeth. By anchoring a denture onto a small number of dental implants, we can give you back the secure feeling of the teeth you were born with. These titanium tooth roots stimulate your jawbone to prevent it from breaking down after tooth loss. They also hold your denture firmly in place, so you won’t have to worry about slippage.
When you replace your missing teeth with dentures, you can look forward to a host of benefits. For example:
The cost of dentures can very greatly from person to person. There are numerous factors that contribute to the price. During your initial consultation, it will be determined how much you can expect to pay for your new restoration, but until then, here are some things that you should keep in mind as you are anticipating your restored smile.
There are three main factors that influence the cost of dentures in Lawrence:
Keep in mind that cheaper does not mean better dentures. Budget dentures are more likely to become damaged and require frequent repairs and replacements. If you’re looking for a tooth replacement option to provide optimal function and appearance, quality matters!
Yes, implant dentures do cost more than traditional dentures do, but there is a good reason for it. Instead of being supported by the shape and suction of your gums, implant dentures are held in place by a series of dental implants that are placed directly into the jawbone. This allows for numerous additional benefits, including being more lifelike and having additional stability. You won’t need to worry about replacing your dentures every 5 to 7 years like you would with traditional dentures because implants are made to last much longer.
For most dental insurance plans, you can expect some level of coverage when it comes to your dentures. Many of them provide up to 50%, but this varies from plan to plan. Our practice is in-network with Delta Dental Premier and BlueCross/BlueShield, and we’re happy to work with many other plans to help our patients maximize their benefits.
If you don’t currently have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. For instance, we can help you to break up the cost of your treatment into reasonable monthly payments through CareCredit. Talk to our team so we can come up with a plan that is ideal for you and your budget.
The best way to learn how much your dentures will cost and what your financial options are is by scheduling a consultation. We are looking forward to helping you get your smile back!
At Heck Family Dentistry of Lawrence, we wouldn’t want our patients to settle for a smile that’s anything less than flawless. To that end, we provide dentures in Lawrence that are designed to look and feel incredibly comfortable and lifelike. While we’re sure you’re going to love your new pearly whites, we understand that you likely have a few questions first. Feel free to ask us anything you would like during your consultation, but until then, you can read through the answers to some of the denture questions we get asked the most often.
Dental technology has come a long way, especially in the past few decades, but even the most highly advanced tooth replacements don’t hold a candle to your natural teeth. That’s why, in most cases, our team will do everything we can to repair a damaged tooth before we resort to extracting and replacing it. If you have some natural teeth that can be preserved, we’ll almost always recommend filling the gaps with a partial denture rather than removing those teeth and placing a full denture. Of course, your denture dentist in Lawrence will lay out all of your options and help you make the decision that’s right for you.
If we decide to extract one or more of your teeth in order to place a denture, you’ll likely have to wait a certain amount of time before you receive your prosthetic. For most patients, it takes six to eight weeks for their gums and jaws to heal following a tooth extraction, but the length of this recovery period can vary.
Patients who are getting implant dentures will need to wait even longer to have their new teeth placed. It typically takes between three and six months for the implants to integrate with the jawbone. However, we may be able to place a temporary denture so that you can still chew during this time.
When you first begin wearing your denture, it will naturally take some time for your mouth to adjust to the new appliance. As a result, you can expect some minor irritation or soreness in your gums. This period of discomfort can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. It may take longer to adjust if you previously wore a denture and are switching to a new one.
If you’re experiencing intense pain that doesn’t seem to go away, please call us. There may be an underlying oral health issue we need to address, or your denture might need to be adjusted. Whatever the case may be, we’ll focus on relieving your pain so that you can effortlessly smile again.
Once you’ve completely gotten used to life with dentures, you shouldn’t have a problem chewing many of your favorite foods. However, certain items can still present difficulties, such as steak and other tough meats. To make eating steak with dentures easier, cut the meat into tiny pieces and verify beforehand that the meat is thoroughly tenderized. Take small bites and apply even chewing force with both sides of the mouth.
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Need a Dentist for My Child I am Worried about Bleeding Gums I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I Want to Improve My Smile I am Interested in Sleep Apnea Treatment I Head/Neck/Jaw Pain I am in Pain & Need Help! Sedation Dental Implants View Our Other Services