Dentures – Plymouth, MA

Effects of Missing Teeth

Whether you are missing teeth due to gum disease, decay, or injury, your situation may have some significant consequences for your health and quality of life:

• Decreased chewing ability. You might not be able to eat your favorite foods. You could also have a limited diet that does not provide you with sufficient nutrients.
• Poor facial aesthetics. Missing teeth can cause your teeth to look sunken and give you a disproportionate smile.
• Social isolation. Due to self-consciousness about missing teeth, some people shy away from healthy social interactions.

Fortunately, dentures may be able to help you deal with all such issues so you can enjoy improved overall wellness.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures might be right for you if:

• You are missing all or most of your teeth throughout a dental arch. If you are missing just one or two teeth, a different treatment may be more suitable.
• Your gums and jawbone are healthy. If you have gum disease or other significant oral health problems, they should be addressed before you get dentures.
• You have good habits. You should be committed to keeping your denture in good shape via thorough oral hygiene and other practical steps.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options

If dentures are not right for you, we might recommend an alternative tooth replacement option:

• A dental bridge. A traditional bridge relies on the remaining natural teeth for support. It can usually replace 1 – 3 teeth in a row and is a great option for people who want a sturdy, cost-effective way to recomplete their smile.
• Dental implants. Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots that get surgically placed in the jawbone. They can provide an incredibly strong base of support for crowns, bridges, and dentures. The many benefits they offer have earned them a reputation as the best form of tooth replacement.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures have two main parts:

• The base of dentures is the gum-colored portion of each prosthetic. Usually, it is made of acrylic, although in some cases, nylon or resin is used instead. For partial dentures, the base includes small metal or acrylic clips that are designed to wrap around a patient’s remaining natural teeth.
• The teeth of dentures are often made of acrylic or porcelain. Acrylic is softer, so it is often the material of choice for patients who still have some of their natural teeth. It is less likely to cause premature wear and tear on natural enamel. Porcelain, on the other hand, is usually favored for full-mouth tooth replacement due to its strength and durability.

The Denture Creation Process

The denture creation process involves several steps. Here is a basic overview of how it works:

• Our team takes detailed impressions of your mouth. We use impression trays and a special putty material to capture an accurate representation of your dental arches. We may also take some measurements of your jawbone.
• A lab creates a wax-up. After we send the impression of your mouth to a laboratory, they will create a wax model of your gumline. Then, they can use a machine called an articulator to place artificial teeth in the model.
• You come in for a fitting. The lab sends us the wax-up of your dentures, and we can use those to evaluate their fit. We continue to coordinate with the lab until they deliver your final restoration.
• You receive your beautiful new prosthetic. When your final dentures are ready, you will come back to see us. We might have to make a few minor adjustments to your prosthetic during your appointment. Then, you can go off and start adjusting to your smile.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It can take a bit of time to adjust to new dentures. At first, your new teeth might feel uncomfortable in your mouth. You might even experience some mild soreness, as well as a bit of difficulty when you eat and speak. With time and practice, though, your dentures should begin to feel like a natural extension of your body. If you ever experience severe pain or other serious problems with your prosthetic, give us a call. We will do all we can to assist you.

Psychological Benefits

Some people with tooth loss find it difficult to accept the reality of their situation. They may suffer from reduced levels of self-confidence and even depression. Social isolation is also common among such individuals.

If tooth loss is adversely affecting your mental health, dentures may be able to help. They have the potential to restore your confidence in your appearance and motivate you to spend more time around other people. You may find that it is easier for you to engage in small talk, eat meals in a social setting, and more. You could even feel like taking your significant other on dates!

Clearer Enunciation

Clear speech depends on complex interactions between the teeth and tongue. Missing teeth, therefore, can make it more challenging to enunciate certain sounds. You might be reluctant to engage in conversations with others.

When you first get dentures, you might have a slight lisp. Once you adapt to your prosthetic, however, you should be able to speak with clarity and confidence. Most people are speaking easily within a few weeks or months of getting their denture.

Improves Nutrition

Without teeth, you may gravitate toward soft foods, which could deprive you of the enjoyment and nutrition that can be gained from tougher options. For example, you may not be able to eat fresh veggies and tasty grilled meats.

Dentures can restore your ability to eat most foods. With a few slight adjustments to your eating techniques, you should be able to enjoy almost any snack or meal with ease.

Preserves Oral Health

If you still have some of your natural teeth, dentures can protect them in a couple of ways:

• Dentures can serve as a placeholder that prevents your natural teeth from drifting out of place. This can preserve your bite and potentially reduce the risk of future tooth loss.
• Dentures can allow you to distribute food evenly across your mouth, which can reduce wear and tear on your natural teeth.

Expands Opportunity

Your smile can make a powerful first impression. Unfortunately, tooth loss may make it difficult for you to accurately convey your beautiful personality when you are attending job interviews, pursuing promotions, or selling services to clients. In fact, one study published in 2019 found that the probability of being employed was negatively correlated with tooth loss.

Dentures can replace your lost teeth and send the signal to other people that you have excellent oral health. Plus, an attractive smile can make you seem both approachable and successful.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

Some of the biggest factors that affect the cost of dentures include:

• Type of denture. Full dentures, partial dentures, and implant dentures all have different price points.
• The base of a denture is made out of acrylic, and the teeth can be made of acrylic or porcelain. The specific type and brand of materials used have a bearing on overall price.
• Preparatory treatments. Some patients must undergo extractions or other treatments before they can receive dentures. Each of these preliminary services has its own cost.

Be wary of “bargain” dentures. They might have an attractively low price, but the quality may not be what you were hoping for.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Yes, implant dentures in Plymouth cost more upfront than traditional dentures. The reason for the difference is simple: the extra time, effort, and materials involved in providing implant dentures require an increase in price. However, it is important to think about cost versus value. A traditional denture may last 5 – 7 years before replacement becomes necessary, but implant dentures tend to last much longer. Implant dentures also offer priceless oral health benefits, such as jawbone preservation, that traditional prosthetics simply cannot provide. The vast majority of patients who choose implant dentures are happy about their decision.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Most dental insurance policies consider dentures to be a major procedure and are willing to cover about 50% of their cost, up to the amount of a plan’s annual maximum. For many patients, this means their out-of-pocket cost is reduced by hundreds of dollars or more. Our team are experts at navigating insurance, and we are in-network with some of the most popular plans. We will be happy to help you understand your benefits and file your claims.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

As your denture dentist in Plymouth, we want you to be able to afford your prosthetic. To that end, we offer a few useful provisions:

• Essential Dental Plan. This discount plan, designed for patients without insurance, provides lower prices on virtually all of our services.
• We are partnered with CareCredit, a third-party lender, to offer low-interest and no-interest monthly payment plans. Most patients who apply are approved for credit

Are you ready to learn more about dentures and their cost? Contact us today to schedule a consultation with the team at Aveni Dental!

How Long Will You Have to Wait to Get Dentures After Your Teeth are Pulled?

The denture process varies from patient to patient. On average, a wait time of 6 – 8 weeks is necessary following extractions. This allows the gums an opportunity to heal before they have to support a prosthetic. Some patients, though, opt for immediate dentures, which are placed on the same day as extractions. Immediate dentures usually require some significant adjustments as time goes on because the gums and bone tend to change shape as the mouth heals from extractions.

If you are getting All-on-4 implant dentures, you may undergo extractions, receive dental implants, and get a temporary denture in a single appointment.

Can I Sleep with My Dentures?

When you first get your dentures, you may be told to keep it in your mouth for a full 24 hours, including when you sleep. After that, however, you should get into the habit of removing it each night. Removing it allows your gums a chance to rest, decreasing your risk of bone loss and gum sores. It is also beneficial for oral hygiene; your dentures may trap bacteria against your gums, so removing them to thoroughly clean both your mouth and your prosthetic is necessary to maintain a fresh and healthy smile.

What Is the Average Age for Dentures?

Tooth loss can afflict individuals of any age, so you should not feel embarrassed to seek treatment if you are a young person who is struggling with severe oral health problems. However, the need for dentures tends to be more common in older individuals. Roughly two-thirds of adults aged 40 – 64 have lost at least one tooth, compared to just one-third of adults aged 20 – 39. A census conducted by the American Dental Association found that almost 57% of people aged 65 – 74 wear some form of denture.

Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?

When you first receive your prosthetic, speaking with it might be a challenge. It might cause you to have a lisp or make it difficult for you to pronounce certain sounds. The more you practice, the faster you can expect to adjust. Some patients find it beneficial to read out loud to get used to the feeling of their prosthetic. Once you adjust to talking with your denture, you may find that it is easier to speak clearly than it was before you got it. If, after a few months, you still find it hard to communicate while wearing your new teeth, call your denture dentist in Plymouth and ask for assistance.