Dentures – Glenpool, OK

Effects of Missing Teeth

Before getting dentures, you’ll want to review the causes and effects of tooth loss. This practice will help you see how dentures could benefit you.

If you didn’t already know, people can lose teeth for many reasons. A heavily decayed tooth, for instance, might lose support and fall on its own. On the other hand, gum disease may erode the bone and tissue needed to keep your teeth in place. An accident or injury could even knock out a tooth due to sheer force.

Despite the various causes, the effects of missing teeth are pretty consistent. First, it immediately makes eating, speaking, and even smiling difficult. With time, the smile gaps erode your jawbone as well, triggering a facial collapse. The spaces can also shift your remaining teeth, leading to a crooked smile and further tooth loss.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Once again, being without teeth should qualify you for dentures. That said, you’d be wise to consider other factors as well.

For instance, assess your oral health before pursuing treatment. If some of your teeth are sensitive or decayed, dentures can safely replace them. You should also confirm that you have healthy gum and jaw tissues; otherwise, your new teeth will lack support. Lastly, you need a solid commitment to dental care for dentures to work long-term.

Furthermore, how many teeth you lack will impact future care. You’ll need one of two possible dentures based on whether the number is low or high. A partial kind is ideal for replacing a few teeth. Meanwhile, a full denture is best when all pearly whites along an arch are gone.

Finances influence candidacy as well. Being cheaper than other restorations, dentures are great for patients on a budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you aren’t a good dentures candidate, don’t worry. The 918 Dentist’s office has other restorative options. In particular, our team offers two additional procedures. They are:

• Dental Bridge - Dental bridges are fixed restorations, often made of crowns fused to a pontic. Rather than fitting into your jaw’s empty sockets, they rely on your surrounding teeth to secure themselves.
• Dental Implants - Dental implants are prosthetic teeth placed in your jaw. Due to using titanium as a base, they slowly fuse with your jawbone over time. This trait means they won’t slip, fall, or remove enamel, making them expensive.

Learn More About Dental Bridges Learn More About Dental Implants

What Are Dentures Made Of?

The base and artificial teeth are the two components that make up a denture. Each serves a unique purpose and is designed to work together to ensure optimal aesthetics and ease of use. The moment you are fitted with your new teeth, you should experience greater comfort and confidence in the way you look and how your teeth feel.

The base of a denture is usually made out of acrylic but can come crafted from resin, porcelain, metal, or nylon. They are crafted to mimic the natural gum tissue color so that it is not obvious to others that your teeth are not natural.

Speaking of your teeth, they are commonly made out of porcelain or resin materials that look natural, are easy to use, and blend in with any existing teeth you might have.

While a partial denture looks vastly different than a full denture, you will find that they are both made from the same materials. However, partials rely on metal clips or clasps to stay in place, and full dentures use natural suction and denture adhesives.

The Denture Creation Process

There are many unique steps that a lab technician must complete before handing over the finalized denture to our team. While the process begins with us at 918 Dentist, taking measurements and impressions of your smile, we pass this information onto a dental laboratory. Once in their hands, technicians begin to work on fabricating your new smile.

From using the measurements and mold to craft their own wax version, you’ll return to our office to determine the fit of the wax dentures, which will then be returned to the lab. While waiting for your finalized denture to be completed, you’ll wear temporary ones to help you eat and speak during this time.

Using plaster molds, boiling water, and uniquely designed dental instruments to sculpt, mold, and define your new dentures, the base will be matched to your natural gum color before the artificial teeth are placed onto the base. Once polished, our team will obtain the final product, which you will receive when you arrive for your final visit.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

There is an adjustment phase you can expect when wearing new dentures. Whether you’re receiving them for the first time or preparing for a replacement set, it will take time to get used to your new smile. This includes learning how to speak clearly, which will require that you practice reading aloud and/or speaking slower to fully enunciate difficult words or phrases.

You’ll also need to start eating softer foods so that you can learn to eat properly while wearing your dentures. In time, you’ll find that you can incorporate solid foods with confidence.

Psychological Benefits

There are multiple psychological downsides to losing some or all of your teeth, as you may experience several obvious gaps in your smile. This can easily cause you to want to hide your mouth when laughing or talking, or you might avoid engaging in social events altogether. With dentures, you can reliably restore your grin, allowing you to feel more confident without worrying much about your speech, chewing ability, and appearance.

Clearer Enunciation

Speaking can become much more challenging without all of your pearly whites. This is because we typically need to position our lips and tongue against our teeth to pronounce certain sounds or words. Without all of them, we can end up having difficulties in conversation or communicating effectively. By restoring your smile with dentures, you’ll be more likely to enunciate your words. It will take some time to get used to them, but with a little practice, you can start to feel more natural in your speech.

Improves Nutrition

Certain foods are tougher in texture, including fruits, veggies, and lean meats. Being unable to effectively chew and grind your meals can lead to complications like malnutrition and indigestion. Fortunately, dentures can help you regain the majority of your bite, allowing you to expand your diet and chew more comfortably. By eating more nutritious foods, you’ll also be able to promote better oral and overall health in the long run.

Preserves Oral Health

Did you know any remaining natural teeth can start to shift out of place whenever you lose a tooth? This is due to the jawbone weakening from a lack of stimulation, causing the other pearly whites to move to fill the space. By wearing dentures, you can prevent your other teeth from shifting, which can also minimize your risk of further tooth loss. Your prosthetics will also help share the pressure of chewing so that your remaining teeth don’t wear down as fast.

Expands Opportunities

Since your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, it’s important to be able to show off a nice and healthy grin during initial interactions. Whether it’s for a job interview, promotion, or first date, dentures can help you regain your lost teeth and boost your confidence. Others will also see how you carry yourself and may perceive you as more outgoing, competent, and attractive—all of which can expand your opportunities in your social and professional life!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

Because each denture is tailored to each patient’s unique needs, there is no one-size-fits-all cost. Some of the factors that can influence the cost of your dentures might include:

• Any procedures you need prior to getting dentures (gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, etc.)
• How many teeth you’re missing
• The materials your denture is made from (usually acrylic or porcelain)

One thing to note is that inexpensive dentures are not necessarily better. Cheaply made dentures tend to break down easily and require frequent replacements. For something that you’re going to use every single day when talking, eating, and smiling, it’s worth it to invest in a quality solution.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Initially, yes. Implant dentures require the surgical placement of multiple dental implants, making them more expensive at first than traditional dentures in Glenpool. However, implant dentures pay for themselves in the long run. They’re designed to last for decades compared to the five to seven years that conventional dentures last. Additionally, they stimulate the jaw to prevent the bone deterioration that occurs after tooth loss. They’re also more reliable because they’re fixed in your jawbone. In short, implant dentures are an investment worth making!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

The majority of dental insurance plans do cover dentures to some extent. On average, you can expect insurance to cover about 50% of the cost, but this will vary from plan to plan. At 918 Dentist of Glenpool, we are in-network with many of the nation’s leading dental insurance plans, making it incredibly easy to save on your care. Even if your plan is out-of-network, a member of our knowledgeable team can still look over your plan and help you find some savings!

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Besides insurance, your denture dentist in Glenpool has other ways of making your new smile affordable. For one, we can help you apply for a low-to-no interest loan through CareCredit. Our in-house loyalty plan is another option to save on more than just dentures; for a flat yearly fee, you get access to all of the preventive care that insurance covers, plus additional discounts on most of our services, including dentures.

Removeable Dentures

Remove After Eating

After eating, you should always remove and rinse your dentures, this will help to prevent buildups of food debris and plaque. When you rinse your dentures, don’t use hot water. This can warp the denture material and cause them not to fit.

Clean Your Restoration

To clean your dentures, remove them first. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of unscented hand soap, mild dish soap, or denture cleanser to gently brush your dentures. You shouldn’t use regular toothpaste because dentures aren’t made to stand up to abrasive products. If you aren’t going to put your dentures back in your mouth right away, place them in a container of water or denture-cleansing solution so they don’t dry out and lose their shape. Always rinse your dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth. These cleaning materials can be harmful if consumed.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

When cleaning your dentures, you may want to place a towel underneath just in case you accidentally drop them. This will reduce the probability of your dentures becoming damaged. Keep your dentures in a place that is out of reach from small children and pets.

Remove When You Sleep

Take your dentures out at night when you go to bed. Wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft-tissue irritation. Sleeping with dentures has been associated with a higher risk of pneumonia and higher levels of gum and tongue plaque. By keeping your dentures in a denture-soaking solution overnight, you can prevent your dentures from drying out and permanently losing their shape.

Notice Changes

Keep an eye out for changes so you can address them with your dentist. This includes mouth sores, gum irritation, or signs of infection. If your dentures become damaged, don’t try to repair them on your own. You could end up accidentally damaging them further. Instead, give us a call. If your dentures are shifting, clicking, or showing any other signs of not fitting properly, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to help ensure your smile is as comfortable as possible.

All-on-4 Dentures

If you have All-on-4 dental implants, the aftercare process looks a little bit different. Brush your dentures twice a day using a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid toothpaste containing baking soda or stain-removing agents. You should floss your replacement teeth once a day. Investing in a water flosser is a great way to keep both your restoration and your implants clean. Another great way to keep your smile fresh is to use an antibacterial mouthwash daily to prevent the growth of tartar.