When you lose several teeth, it doesn’t just impact your self confidence, but also your health and facial structure. Dentures are a fantastic treatment option for those who have lost teeth, offering a gorgeous smile and fully functional teeth.
What are dentures?
Dentures, also known as false teeth, are used to fill in the gaps created by missing teeth. They restore your smile, as well as your bite, and will also maintain your facial structure, as missing teeth can cause facial muscles to sag over time.
Missing teeth are more common among adults and elderly people, and can be caused by a number of issues such as decay, periodontal disease, poor oral hygiene, or accidents.
At National Dental Care, your dentist will begin with an examination and talk you through the best options for dentures specific to your smile. There are a few different ways to ‘do’ dentures, and it will depend on your oral health and goals as to which is best for you.
How do dentures work?
Dentures take time and preparation to get in place, but the massive benefits to your health and confidence are worth every second.
Typically, you will know if you need dentures. Dentures are the best treatment available when you are missing multiple teeth, as you can usually get a dental implant for just one tooth, or dental bridges for a couple of missing teeth.
If you are already missing multiple teeth, or need to have multiple teeth extracted due to disease or decay, your dentist will talk to you about the benefits of dentures.
To begin, your dentist will do a full examination, including x-rays, to get the full picture of your oral health.
Next, they will discuss the options with you. This means deciding between conventional and immediate dentures, and determining whether you need partial or a full set of dentures.
Conventional dentures are custom made after the teeth have been removed to ensure the perfect fit. They are typically placed eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed, with the benefit of them fitting well straight away.
Immediate dentures are made and placed immediately after your teeth are removed. The benefit here is that you don’t spend any time without teeth, however the downside is that they will need to be adjusted and refitted regularly as your gums heal and change shape in the months following your teeth removal.
Generally speaking, immediate dentures are used as a short-term solution until your gums are fully healed, then conventional dentures are put in place.
As the name suggests, full dentures replace all of your teeth, whereas partial dentures replace a section of your teeth while you keep some of your natural teeth.
Dentures are metal, acrylic, or made from a plate designed to fit over the bone and soft tissues of your jaw. Ceramic or acrylic false teeth are attached to the plate, matching any remaining teeth to create a natural look.
Depending on whether you get conventional or immediate, and full or partial, your exact treatment plan will look a little different in terms of exactly when you will receive your dentures. However once they are placed and fitted, there will be an adjustment period as you get used to wearing them while speaking, eating and drinking.
If your dentures cause you pain or are uncomfortable for longer than those first few days, you can go back and have them adjusted for a better fit.
Are dentures the right treatment for me?
Dentures are a great treatment for many people who have lost several, or all of their teeth.
They will replace your natural smile and confidence, and maintain your cheek muscles and facial structure (which can be affected by missing teeth over time).
If you’re concerned about whether dentures are right for you, or would like to learn about other options, speak to your dentist. They are best equipped to assess your oral health and offer treatment plans that will help you rediscover your health, smile, and confidence.
Advantages of dentures
Dentures are a popular option for those needing teeth replacement, as they offer a number of fantastic advantages:
- Restore your smile: Dentures completely restore your smile with natural-looking teeth, for total confidence in your appearance.
- Full functionality: Dentures work exactly like natural teeth. You’ll be able to eat, drink, and talk like normal.
- Maintain facial structure: Losing teeth can cause the facial muscles to sag noticeably over time. By getting dentures, they will keep those muscles in place and maintain your appearance.
How much do dentures cost?
The cost of dentures varies greatly depending on whether you get full or partial dentures, conventional or immediate dentures, and other factors.
That said, you can expect one set of either upper or lower dentures to cost between $1,000 and $2,000, or up to $4,000 for a full set for both upper and lower dentures.
The price will also be impacted by the dental office, the materials required, and any other special materials or treatments you may need. Keep in mind, you may also need to factor in the cost of tooth extraction ahead of getting dentures.
The best way to get an estimate for the cost of dentures for your specific circumstances is to speak to your dentist, as the cost will vary greatly depending on what you need.
What to expect from your dentures appointment
Each denture treatment will vary depending on your circumstances, but here is the general process if you are receiving full dentures:
- Following tooth extraction, your dentist will place immediate dentures onto your gums so you have teeth during the healing process.
- Immediate dentures will typically fit well but not perfectly, and will need readjustment as your gums heal over the coming weeks and months.
- Once your gums have healed and settled, your dentist will take impressions to have custom dentures made for your mouth.
- The custom dentures will take a few weeks to create.
- You will return to your dentist to have the conventional dentures put in place, and your dentist will work to make sure they are fitted well and will not cause rubbing.
- You will have an adjustment period where you get used to wearing dentures day and night as you eat, drink, talk, and sleep.
- You may return to your dentist during this time to have the dentures adjusted further for a better fit.
- Over time, your dentist will keep an eye on the health of your gums and the condition of your dentures, and you will need to maintain good oral hygiene to take care of both.
For an exact process and timeframe for getting dentures, speak to a dentist who can give you a better idea of what to expect for your situation.
Find your nearest dental office and get in touch today to schedule an appointment.