It can be very difficult going through life with several missing teeth. Simple tasks such as talking and eating can become uncomfortable, and they can make people feel very self-conscious. Furthermore, patients who are not able to eat the healthy foods they need tend to have a shorter life expectancy. Dentures in Fort Worth from Summer Creek Dentistry can help replace a patient’s missing teeth so they can feel confident and function normally once again.
Regardless of how many teeth you have remaining, if you’ve suffered from tooth loss, you can probably benefit from dentures. You must first schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. King to determine whether it’s the best treatment for your circumstances. If she determines that you’re not a good candidate due to your current dental condition, you can likely proceed once problem areas have been addressed.
Continue reading below to learn more about who qualifies for dentures, and feel free to contact our friendly staff with any additional questions.
Teeth can be lost for several reasons, although according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, gum disease is the leading cause. If the tissues that hold your teeth in place become infected, they start to recede. This destabilizes your pearly whites so that they become loose or fall out. Other common causes include tooth decay and physical trauma to the face.
Regardless of the reason, if you’ve experienced tooth loss then it’s important to rebuild your grin sooner rather than later. Your teeth play a crucial role in your ability to eat, speak, and smile which means without them, the quality of your daily life can suffer. You might develop a lisp or other issues enunciating, or could become malnourished if you’re unable to eat properly. These issues can leave you feeling self-conscious about your dental condition which can lead to anxiety and depression.
Some factors that are considered when determining whether dentures are the best option for you include:
Fortunately, these prosthetics are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to your unique situation. After examining your mouth, our team will recommend either full, partial, or implant dentures.
If Dr. King finds that dentures aren’t the best fit for you, she might suggest other options like dental bridges or implants. Below you can find a more detailed description of each:
Dentures use prosthetic teeth attached to a gum-colored acrylic base to replace a portion or entire set of teeth. Partial dentures fit among your remaining natural teeth in order to fill in the gaps. This allows us to preserve your teeth without needing to modify them. As the name suggests, a full set of dentures is used to replace an entire arch of teeth. Dentures can be held in place using natural suction, metal clasps, or dental implants. The fit and look of your dentures will depend completely on what best suits your needs. The goal is to give you a set of teeth that is both natural looking and practical.
The first step to getting dentures is to visit Dr. King so she can evaluate your teeth and mouth to see if dentures are the best solution for you. If they are, her team will begin the process by taking several x-rays and scans of your mouth and jaw. This information will be used to create a series of wax models that you will try on in order to find the ideal look and feel. Once you have decided on the fit and appearance that works best for you, the chosen model will be used to cast your actual dentures. Further adjustments can be made even after you have your final set. The entire denture process usually takes multiple visits over the course of a few weeks.
After you have gotten your dentures, you will be advised to wear them for 24 hours a day for a few weeks so your soft tissue can adapt to them. A small amount of denture adhesive may be necessary to secure them. Talking and eating will not feel natural at first, but you’ll become accustomed after a few weeks of using the dentures. Practice reading out loud and try to eat softer foods to help this process go faster. They may feel uncomfortable initially, but eventually they will feel like you’ve always had them.
Your dentures need to be cleaned and maintained much like your natural teeth. You should brush and soak them every day, and Dr. King can give you recommendations on which products work best.
After reading the information above, you’re probably excited to start your journey towards a complete and fully functioning smile. However, before committing to treatment, you may want to know how much you can expect to pay for dentures in Fort Worth. Since every case is unique, the total price will vary from patient to patient. At your consultation, Dr. King will perform an oral examination to provide you with an accurate cost estimate. He’ll help you understand not only what you can expect to pay for your new smile, but what your future dentures will look and feel like.
Several factors affect the cost of dentures in Fort Worth, including:
If you want to reduce your expenses, you may be tempted to opt for cheaper dentures. However, just because it’s more affordable doesn’t mean it’s worth having. They tend to break easily and require replacement much sooner than anticipated. That’s why quality should always be of utmost importance for what goes in your mouth, regardless of cost!
Short answer: yes, but there’s a good reason for that! Implant dentures require oral surgery and the placement of multiple dental implants, which is why they’re generally the more expensive treatment option overall. However, they’re much more reliable for day-to-day use since they do not shift out of place. Additionally, they help stimulate the jawbone to provide you with increased biting strength and longevity. Many patients find that implant dentures are an investment that pays off in the long run, primarily because there are several benefits (i.e., they can last for decades, more lifelike solution, improved confidence, allows for a full diet).
Since dentures are considered a major procedure, most dental insurance plans offer coverage for around 50% of the total cost. Of course, every policy is unique, which means the exact amount of coverage you receive will depend on your specific plan. If you need help understanding the details, contact your insurance provider or ask our team at Summer Creek Dentistry for assistance. We’ll gladly look over your plan and maximize your benefits to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses significantly.
Don’t have dental insurance? Does your plan not cover as much of the costs as you thought it would? We’ve got you covered! At Summer Creek Dentistry, we offer additional financing options to help make your dental bills a bit easier to manage. Here’s what’s available:
Are you ready to start your journey towards a complete smile? Contact Dr. King and schedule a consultation today. During your visit, we’ll help you add up the costs of your treatment and create a payment plan that fits your budget, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank!
If you suffer from extensive tooth loss, you’re probably thinking about rebuilding your smile with dentures in Fort Worth. Of course, it’s completely normal to have a few questions about the process before committing to it. At Summer Creek Dentistry, we want to be as helpful as possible throughout your journey. That’s why we’ve decided to answer some of the most common questions we receive from patients about dentures. If you’d prefer to speak directly with a member of our team, don’t hesitate to reach out !
On average, most patients have to wait between six to eight weeks after getting their teeth pulled to receive dentures. However, the exact amount of time needed depends on the type of denture in question. Although two months may seem like a long time, it’s necessary to allow your gums a chance to heal properly. Immediate dentures can be placed on the same day as an extraction, but they’ll need to be replaced sooner as the shape of your jawbone changes while you heal. If you’re receiving implant dentures, you’ll need to wait about three to six weeks for the titanium posts to fuse with the jawbone via osseointegration.
When you first get your dentures, you’ll be asked to keep them in your mouth for 24 hours, including sleep. After that initial period, it’s strongly recommended that you take them out every evening before bed. That’s because wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. By removing your oral appliances regularly, you give your gums a chance to recover and receive the nutrients they need during the night. Plus, sleeping with dentures is associated with poor oral hygiene and an increased risk of pneumonia.
If you need to have teeth extracted before getting dentures in Fort Worth, you’ll likely experience some discomfort following your oral surgery. Luckily, you can alleviate it by taking your prescribed medication as directed. Once you receive your dentures, you may have mild irritation while your mouth adjusts to the new appliance. The exact amount of time the discomfort lasts will vary from person to person. However, it can take months before it goes away completely. If the pain persists or worsens, contact our office right away for assistance.
Initially, you may have difficulty speaking with your dentures because you’re so used to talking with your natural teeth. The good news is that any lisp you develop is temporary and should go away once you adjust to your oral appliance. You can speed up the adjustment process by reading aloud, repeating difficult-to-pronounce words, and having more conversations with loved ones. If you need extra stability while you adjust, you may want to consider using denture adhesive.
You don’t need to let your missing teeth hold you back anymore and cause you problems. The solution is waiting for you. If you are curious about how a set of dentures could help you, please make an appointment with us today.
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