Dentures – Fort Worth, TX
Regain a Complete and Confident Smile
Are you missing some or all your teeth? If so, you’re certainly not alone. Studies reveal that 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and more than 36 million don’t have any teeth at all. Thankfully, you don’t have to let tooth loss hold you back in life. Dr. Karen Littlefield Neil, DDS can help you regain a complete and confident smile with partial or full dentures in Fort Worth! To get started, give us a call today to schedule your consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Karen Neil, DDS For Dentures?
- #1 Dentist with Over 3 Decades of Experience
- #2 Traditional & Implant Dentures Available In-House
- #3 Dental Insurance Welcome & Flexible Financing Available
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
One of the reasons why dentures have remained as one of the most popular tooth replacement options available is because of how widely available they are. Practically any adult with stable oral health who is missing teeth can qualify for dentures. Before we fit you for your new smile, we’ll check for any oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay and ensure those are treated beforehand if necessary. After all, we want your new smile to be healthy as well as beautiful!
Types of Dentures
Once you’ve been cleared as a good candidate for dentures, we’ll work with you to determine which type of denture best suits your needs. Depending on your unique situation and preferences, that could be any of these three:
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are ideal for patients missing a few teeth throughout their mouth. The gum-colored acrylic base is set with just the teeth you need to replace and is designed to fit precisely around and between your remaining teeth. Small metal clasps and wires wrap around your natural tooth structure to help hold it in place.
Full Dentures
When you think of dentures, an image of full dentures is likely what comes to mind. With this reliable restoration, we can restore an entire arch of missing teeth all at once. The natural-looking replacement teeth are set into a gum-colored base that is carefully crafted to fit snugly but comfortably over your gums. The close fit that’s create generates a strong natural suction that keeps your denture stable.
Implant Dentures
As an alternative to traditional removable dentures, we can pair your partial or full denture with dental implants for optimal results. Instead of relying on wires, suction, or adhesive to stay in place, implant dentures are anchored into your jawbone with small metal posts called dental implants. This gives them unmatched functionality, stability, and longevity. During your consultation, we’ll help you determine if you’re a candidate for dentures.
The Benefits of Dentures
- Relatively quick treatment time for results that can last many years
- Beautiful, natural-looking smile thanks to high-quality materials
- Regain the ability to eat many of your favorite foods
- Durable enough to withstand everyday eating and talking
- A cost-effective solution for treating tooth loss
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
The cost of dentures will vary from person to person because every case is unique. There are numerous factors that contribute too the price. The only way to find out exactly how much your restoration will cost is by scheduling a consultation with us. In the meantime, here are some things for you to take into consideration.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
Here are the three main factors that will contribute to the cost of your dentures:
- The preparation before getting your dentures will influence the cost. This includes gum disease therapy and extractions when necessary.
- The materials used for the base and replacement teeth will play a role. The base is typically made from acrylic while the replacement teeth can be crafted from acrylic or porcelain.
- The number of teeth that you are needing to have replaced will impact the cost. The more teeth – the higher the cost.
Remember that cheaper doesn’t mean better when it comes to dentures. If you opt for a budget restoration, it will be more likely to require repairs and replacements in a shorter period of time. You don’t want to end up with a subpar restoration!
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implants dentures are more costly than traditional dentures, but for good reason. Instead of being supported by the shape and suction of the gums, they are held into place by a series of dental implants that are placed into the jawbone via a surgical procedure. This allows for many additional benefits, like being more lifelike, having additional stability, lasting for several decades, and preventing jawbone deterioration.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
You can usually expect some amount of coverage with most dental insurance plans. Many provide up to 50% coverage, but this will vary depending on your individual plan. While we aren’t in-network with any dental insurance plans, we are happy to file claims on our patients’ behalf to maximize their dental benefits.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re left completely in the dust. We work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. Talk to one of our friendly team members to learn more!
To find out exactly how much you can expect your treatment to cost, schedule a consultation with us. We are eager to help you have a full smile again!
Denture FAQs
Dentures are a lifechanging tooth replacement option, but you may still have some unanswered questions about the restoration. Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we are asked about dentures in Fort Worth. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call and we’d be more than happy to answer your questions and get you started with an initial consultation with Dr. Neil.
Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?
Repairing a damaged tooth whenever possible is always preferable to replacing it. Tooth extractions of any kind will only ever be recommended if deemed absolutely necessary, like when a tooth is too damaged to save thanks to extensive decay, severe infection, or trauma that’s broken off most of the enamel. If all of the teeth in an arch are decayed or infected with gum disease, replacing them with dentures may be a viable option, but Dr. Neil will always explore all other options first.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
Dentists generally recommend taking your dentures out at night when you go to bed. When you first get your dentures, you will typically be told to keep them in your mouth for 24 hours, including when you sleep. After this, you should be taking them out every evening. This is because wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. Taking dentures out gives the gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need during the night. The dark moist space beneath the teeth is an ideal place for bacteria to thrive, so sleeping with dentures has also been found to be associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. Ultimately, it is a good idea to take out your dentures when you catch some Z’s.
Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?
If you need to have teeth extracted before you can get dentures, you may experience some discomfort during the healing process. Be sure to take recommended over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers as directed. After about 3 to 5 days, discomfort should improve. When you first get new dentures, some minor irritation may occur while your mouth adjusts to the new appliance. If you switch to a new set of dentures, this adjustment period may take longer than before. If pain persists, give us a call!
Can You Still Eat Steak with Dentures?
Tough meats, like steak, can be difficult to chew with dentures, but it’s still possible to do so if you take all the right precautions. Select tenderloin and other beef cuts that don’t contain as many connective tissues or muscle fibers. Make sure the meat is thoroughly tenderized beforehand. Cut the meat into small, manageable pieces so they are easier to chew.