Dentures – Fort Worth, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

Teeth can be lost in a variety of different ways. The most common causes of tooth loss include tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are several negative consequences of missing teeth, including facial sagging, difficulty speaking, trouble eating, and lower self-esteem. By replacing your missing teeth with dentures, you can improve all of these areas of your life!

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures are ideal for patients who have experienced significant tooth loss yet have healthy gum tissue and a sufficient jawbone. Those who get dentures must also be committed to their dental health routine and willing to properly care for their new smile.

The number of teeth you are missing will ultimately determine which type of denture is best for you. One of the great things about dentures is the fact that they are more affordable than other tooth replacement options, making them great for patients who are unable to invest much money into their smile at this time.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you aren’t a good candidate for dentures or they aren’t something that you are interested in, you may want to consider these other tooth replacement options that we offer:

• Dental Bridges: A dental bridge works by “bridging” the gap where you are missing your tooth. The replacement tooth is supported by crowns that are secured to your adjacent teeth. Dental bridges are ideal for patients who are only missing one or a few teeth. They require healthy teeth surrounding the missing tooth/teeth to support the bridge.
• Dental Implants: Dental implants are titanium, screw-like posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone to support replacement teeth. To be a good candidate for this method, you must have a solid, sufficient jawbone. This option is more costly than traditional dentures, but it’s permanent. 

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What are Dentures Made Of?

No matter the type, each denture has a base and artificial teeth. These latter parts ensure the restoration works well. As proof, consider their features as described:

• Denture Base –  A denture's base supports its artificial teeth, keeping the latter in place. As such, it's often made from acrylic, nylon, resin, or metal. Full dentures often use acrylic, though, since this plastic can match your gums. Meanwhile, partials tend to use metal clips with an acrylic base.
• Artificial Teeth – Per their name, the artificial teeth are a denture’s pearly whites. They're made from either lifelike resin or porcelain. Even so, porcelain is more popular due to how it looks and feels. It’s typically only suggested for full dentures.

The Denture Creation Process

In the end, each denture is custom-made for the patient’s mouth. That means making one involves a multi-step process. To be specific, these steps are:

• Step 1 : Our dentists will take a dental impression. From there, they’ll make a plaster model that matches the final denture’s size and shape.
• Step 2 : The plaster model is sent to a lab that makes a denture. Lab technicians will then create a wax gumline by using it.
• Step 3 : The lab will set artificial teeth in the wax base. The resulting prototype will be used for the finished denture.
• Step 4 : The wax denture will go to the dentist for a fitting. Once tested, it’ll be returned to the dental lab to finish the final restorations.
• Step 5 : A worker will boil the denture to remove its wax. They’ll then place the prosthetic in a flask. Said flask will receive plaster and sit in hot water.
• Step 6 : A separator will go into the plaster layer, preventing the acrylic from sticking. This acrylic will be injected into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7 : The plaster will be removed to reveal the denture. The restoration will then be placed in a bath to remove their residue.
• Step 8 : Excess acrylic will be cut from the denture. Said denture will then be polished.
• Step 9 : The patient will have the denture fitted. At that time, the dentist will adjust your denture to work smoothly.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Ultimately, you may get aches when first wearing dentures. You might even feel sore and struggle to eat or speak. That said, these effects are normal. They’ll soon fade as you adjust to the dentures. Afterward, the new teeth should feel like a regular part of your smile.

Naturally, you could speed up the adjustment process. One way is to eat soft foods for a week, which won’t irritate your gums. Other examples include working your facial muscles or applying adhesives. These practices will ease your pain, ensuring your dentures feel more familiar.

If your discomfort persists, call us at once. Your denture may need further adjustment.

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!

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.