Dentures – Fayetteville, GA

Effects of Missing Teeth

Some people who have lost teeth try to convince themselves that they can cope without replacements. Regardless of where missing teeth are located within the mouth, gaps are going to make life more challenging. However, biting, chewing, talking, and smiling can all become extremely difficult without a full set of teeth, negatively affecting your quality of life. On the other hand, dentures can instantly improve oral function, speech, diet, as well as self-esteem.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

When it comes to tooth replacements, dentures have the fewest requirements. In order to be a good candidate, it’s important that you’re in good oral health because cavities and infections can change the way your dentures fit and feel. If you currently have gum disease or decayed teeth, we’ll help you overcome these problems first before restoring your smile. That way, you can fully enjoy your dentures and your newfound confidence.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Normal dentures use suction to stay in place, but did you know that you can combine dentures with dental implants. Instead of merely resting on top of the gums, implant dentures are actually anchored to the jawbone, giving them additional stability and strength. Keep in mind, however, that you would also need to have enough jawbone tissue to qualify for this treatment. During your consultation, we can discuss all the options available to you so that you can make the best decision for your smile.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Your new dentures will be made of two main parts: the base of the denture, and the teeth. Here’s a closer look at each:

• Denture Base: The denture base is the foundational structure that holds the artificial teeth in place. It can be made of a variety of materials, including acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal. Full dentures are frequently made with acrylic because they can be tailored to match your natural gum tissue, while partial dentures may use metal clips with an acrylic base. In some cases, the lab may use nylon instead of acrylic.
• Artificial Teeth: The artificial teeth or “crowns” are typically made from resin or porcelain because both materials have a natural appearance. However, porcelain is generally the more popular choice because it both looks and feels like real teeth. It’s also very durable. Unfortunately, however, because it can be abrasive on adjacent teeth, it is typically only recommended for full dentures.

The Denture Creation Process

Because each denture is custom made for the individual patient’s mouth, it requires a multi-step process to be created. Here’s a closer look at steps involved:

• Step 1: The first step begins at your dentist’s office, where your dentist will take impressions of your upper and lower gums using a thick paste. This will be used to make a plaster model that is essentially a replica of your mouth. The model will then be used to ensure that your final denture is the correct shape and size. Your dentist may also take measurements of your jaw at this appointment.
• Step 2: Next, the plaster cast is sent off to the dental laboratory where your dentures will be made. The lab will use the model to create a wax version of your gumline.
• Step 3: Once the wax is ready, the lab technician will begin setting the artificial teeth in place using a mechanical device called an articulator. They will make minor adjustments by shaping and carving the wax to ensure that it looks just like your gums. The wax base will also be used for your finished dentures.
• Step 4: Now your wax dentures will be sent back to your dentist, and you will return to Sparkling Smiles Fayetteville for a fitting. If you and your dentist approve, they will be returned to the laboratory to continue the manufacturing process.
• Step 5: Once they have returned to the dental lab, a technician will boil your dentures to melt away any of the remaining wax portions. To do this, they will place the dentures in a flask, which also acts as a holding device into which the lab technician will pour plaster to maintain the shape of the dentures. Then, the entire flask will be placed in hot water to melt them.
• Step 6: Next, holes are made in the teeth so the material can attach to it, and a liquid separator is added to the plaster to prevent the acrylic from sticking to it. The lab technician will then inject acrylic into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7: The plaster is now ready to be removed using special lab tools, revealing the denture. The acrylic dentures are then placed into an ultrasonic bath to remove any remaining plaster.
• Step 8: Finally, any excess acrylic will be cut from the denture, and the denture will be polished to perfection.
• Step 9: Once your denture has arrived back at Sparkling Smiles Fayetteville, your dentist will invite you back to the office for a fitting. Any necessary adjustments will be made at this time to ensure that everything fits and works properly.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It is important to note that it’s very normal for patients to feel some level of discomfort when they first get dentures. Initially, you may experience some mild soreness and difficulty speaking and eating. With time, your mouth will eventually adjust to your prosthetics, and they’ll feel very similar to your natural teeth. You can easily speed up the adjustment process by following your aftercare instructions, temporarily adhering to a soft diet, exercising your facial muscles, and experimenting with denture adhesives. Should the initial discomfort persist, please reach out to your dentist, as further adjustments may be necessary.

Psychological Benefits

Tooth loss can be devastating, negatively impacting more than just your physical aesthetics. If left untreated, it can take a psychological toll as well. Fortunately, once you receive customized dentures, you’ll notice a dramatic improvement in how you look, feel, think, and act. As soon as you see your mouth with a full set of teeth, you’ll begin to exude greater confidence and speak more positively about yourself. This type of improvement can work like a light switch when it comes to making a difference in your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Clear Enunciation

Without teeth, your tongue has nothing to press against when attempting to make sounds and words. Once dentures are positioned in place, you can expect there to be a short adjustment phase while your mouth becomes more familiar with your new teeth. The good news is that once your teeth, tongue, and lips begin to work together more easily, you’ll be able to speak without difficulty. You won’t have to worry about slurring your words or talking with a lisp.

Improves Nutrition

Consuming healthy foods that are full of the nutrients your body needs to fuel itself and function correctly can be challenging when you are without any natural teeth. This can lead to malnutrition and additional health problems. However, once our team provides dentures, you can begin to enjoy a more balanced diet that consists of nutritious foods that will benefit your smile, body, and brain. While you may need to cut up certain items into smaller pieces for easier consumption, you’ll appreciate the variety of food options to choose from.

Preserves Oral Health

If you have some remaining natural teeth, the longer you wait to seek treatment to replace your missing ones, the greater your risk of experiencing dental drift. This is when your regular teeth begin to move in an attempt to cover the gaps. If it occurs, it can cause problems with your jaw joints and bite, eventually requiring orthodontics to fix your misaligned teeth. By having a partial denture created, though, you can keep all of your pearly whites in place so that future treatment is not required.

Expands Opportunity

If you are eyeing a new job opportunity, are looking to meet someone new, or preparing to move to a new city, you’ll want to make sure your smile is in the best possible shape. With dentures, you can feel more confident meeting with a potential employer and discussing all the reasons why you’re the best person for the job. You’ll also worry less about others staring at your incomplete smile while on a date. By choosing dentures, you’ll be amazed at the new opportunities you can expect throughout your life.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

At your initial consultation, our denture dentist in Fayetteville will take the time to learn more about your dental needs and smile goals one-on-one. With this information, they’ll determine:

• If any preparatory work is needed, like tooth extractions
• The severity of your tooth loss
• The material your dentures will be made of (porcelain, acrylic, etc.)

It’s worth mentioning in this section that cheaper usually isn’t better, especially when it comes to something as important as your bite and smile. Flimsier materials may save you money upfront, but they aren’t as durable, they don’t look natural, and they can break easier. So, you may end up spending more money in the long run if you opt for cheaper alternatives at first.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Since implant dentures in Fayetteville require oral surgery, they typically are more expensive. However, with the bigger price comes bigger benefits. For example, while traditional dentures can last for 7+ years with proper care, implant dentures can last 30+ years. Since the implants are inserted directly into your jawbone, they also provide unmatched stability and are the only tooth-replacement solution that stimulates your jawbone.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Although the exact answer depends on your specific dental plan, there is a good chance that your dental insurance provider will cover a portion of the cost. To make the process more predictable, we encourage you to provide our team with your insurance information beforehand. From there, we can file your claims and do our part to maximize your benefits to the fullest.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry – there are other financial solutions available. First, our team happily welcomes flexible financing through CareCredit, a trusted third-party financier. As a result, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of dentures upfront. Instead, you can choose a payment plan that best suits your budget. We also offer periodic special offers, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team to learn the latest ones.

Removable Dentures

Remove After Eating

As you enjoy your meals, food debris can get stuck to your dentures, and will harden into plaque if you don’t manage the build up. To keep this harmful substance at bay and maintain your fresh smile, remove your dentures after eating and give them a good rinse. Hot water can warp the plastic, but luke-warm H2O is perfect!

Clean Your Restoration

In addition to consistent rinsing, dentures also need to be cleaned at least once per day. Water is good for dislodging loose debris, but won’t eliminate bacteria as effectively as soap and denture cleaning solutions. Just don’t use toothpaste or stiff-bristled toothbrushes, as these are abrasive and can damage your dentures.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Dentures are pretty durable, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible! We recommend laying a soft towel over your sink and counter while you clean them – that way if they get dropped, they’re less likely to chip or fracture. You should also store them away from kids and pets when they’re not in your mouth, just in case.

Remove When You Sleep

Did you know you can develop pneumonia from sleeping with your dentures? Wearing them 24/7 increases the bacteria content in your mouth, making you more vulnerable to illness. It also prevents your gums from getting essential circulation and often results in oral irritation. Soak them in a cleaning solution overnight instead – that way they’ll be easier to clean in the morning!

Notice Changes

It’s important to let us know if you experience any oral changes while wearing dentures. We can help treat sores and chaffing, and can reline your dentures when they need refitting. Trying to fix them yourself could make the situation worse, so let us take care of you and your smile!

All-on-4 Dentures

Since all-on-4 dentures involve dental implants and are typically not removable, taking care of them looks a bit different. Here’s what you should do instead:

• Brush your teeth twice daily
• Floss at least once per day
• Scrub between your restorations and gums with a sulcus brush
• Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash

What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?

If you’ve been struggling with tooth loss, you’ll be happy to know that dentures allow you to enjoy a much more varied diet. Of course, there are a few things that can tug on and pull your dentures out of place, like peanut butter, gummy candies, and other sticky foods. So, it’s best to avoid those altogether. A few other items that should be avoided are nuts, popcorn, raw apples, corn on the cob, and carrot sticks. These foods can put a lot of pressure on your dentures (and your gums), resulting in irritation and soreness. That’s why it’s best to stick to softer foods, like cooked veggies, mashed potatoes, and lean protein (like fish).

Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?

When you first get your dentures, you’ll likely experience a bit of a learning curve when it comes to speaking. After all, your mouth needs some time to adjust to them! Of course, the exact amount of time varies from patient to patient, but the adjustment period can be shortened with enough practice. Patients with dentures are encouraged to speak slowly, read out loud, and be patient. It can also be helpful to spend some extra time practicing more difficult words, like “sixty” and “Mississippi.”

Can You Kiss with Dentures?

You can! It may take some time to get used to how it feels, but dentures certainly won’t stop you from sharing a kiss with your special someone. Note: it’s a good idea to be gentle, especially at the beginning. Nothing ruins the mood like accidentally bumping your dentures against your partner’s teeth or lips!

Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?

In short, the answer is “no.” Regular toothpaste can leave small scratches on your dentures, which can make your smile look dull and damaged. To effectively clean your dentures, all you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush and some water. For a deeper clean, you can use a denture-specific or dentist-recommended cleaner as needed.

How Can I Reduce the Cost of Dentures?

If you’re worried about the cost, don’t worry – our denture dentist near Fayetteville offers several financial solutions! To begin, we welcome most dental insurances. So, if you want to utilize your available benefits, we can help. Second, we happily accept flexible financing through CareCredit, which allows you to space out your payments into budget-friendly chunks. Lastly, we offer periodic special offers. To learn about our latest ones, get in touch with our team!