Dentures – Jupiter, FL

Effects of Missing Teeth

There are a variety of different causes of tooth loss. The most common factors include tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are several negative consequences of missing teeth. They include facial sagging, difficulty speaking, trouble eating, and low self-confidence. The good news is that dentures can positively impact all of these, therefore improving your quality of life.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures are great for patients who have experienced significant tooth loss. However, it is still important that you have sufficient healthy gum tissue and jawbone. If you are getting dentures, you must also be committed to your dental hygiene routine and willing to properly care for your new replacement teeth.

The type of denture you get will depend on how many teeth you are missing and where they are located in your mouth. Something that makes dentures ideal is the fact that they are more affordable than other tooth replacement options, like dental implants. This makes them great for those who are unable to invest a lot of money into their smile at this time.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options

If you aren’t a good candidate for dentures, or they aren’t something that you are interested in, you may want to consider the other tooth replacement options that we offer:

• Dental Bridges: Dental bridges work by “bridging” the gap between your teeth. This method is ideal for patients who are only missing one or a few teeth. They require healthy teeth surrounding the missing tooth to successfully support the bridge.
• Dental Implants: A dental implant is a titanium, screw-like post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Patients need to have a sufficient bone structure and be healthy enough to undergo a minor surgical procedure. This option is more costly than the others, but it is also permanent.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures generally consist of two components, primarily the gum-colored base and the artificial replacement teeth. Here’s what you can expect from each part:

• The Base: This is the very foundation on which your new teeth will be placed. This structure is specifically designed to fit your exact mouth impressions and is meant to closely mimic your natural gum tissue. It can generally be made out of materials like nylon, acrylic, metal, resin, and porcelain. Most full dentures will be made out of acrylic due to their ability to match natural gums while partials tend to include metal clips to clasp onto nearby healthy teeth.
• Artificial Teeth: The replacement teeth that are placed onto the denture base will usually be made out of resin or porcelain. While both materials are incredibly durable, porcelain is the more popular of the two due to its uncanny potential to look and feel like natural pearly whites. Porcelain is mostly reserved for full dentures, as it can be abrasive to any remaining normal teeth.

The Denture Creation Process

While every denture is personalized to fit each patient, the general creation process will consist of the following steps:

1. Our team will take impressions of your gumlines (upper and lower) and we’ll take measurements of your jaw. These will be used to make a plaster replica of your mouth to ensure your dentures are perfectly shaped and sized for you.
2. The model will be sent to a dental lab so that the technicians can begin creating the wax replica of your gums.
3. The artificial teeth will be placed with an articulator and attached via wax. The technician will make minor adjustments to ensure the wax looks like your natural gum line.
4. The wax dentures will be sent to us for a fitting so we can confirm that they’re the right size and shape. We’ll then send them back for finalization.
5. At the lab, the technician will boil the prosthetics to remove the wax by first placing them in a holding device referred to as a “flask,” which will then have plaster poured within the maintain the dentures’ shape. Afterward, the entire flask will be put in boiling water to melt the wax portions.
6. Holes will then be made in the teeth before injecting acrylic into the flask to replace the wax.
7. The plaster will be removed via lab tools to carefully reveal the final dentures. The technician will even place the denture in an ultrasonic bath to get rid of any remaining plaster.
8. The dentures will then be polished and have any excess acrylic cut off before being sent to us for another fitting. We’ll make any necessary adjustments to your prosthetics before sending you on your way to enjoy your brand-new smile.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It’s natural to experience some discomfort or even soreness after first receiving your dentures. This is because your mouth, gums, and any other remaining teeth will need to grow accustomed to having your prosthetics in. To help make your dentures feel more natural in the quickest way possible, try sticking to softer foods so you can practice chewing, repeat difficult sounds and words, and try experimenting with adhesive if you need extra support. Notify our team if you notice any concerns, and we’ll be glad to help you.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

Three major factors that influence the cost of dentures:

• Preparation – You may need to undergo gum disease therapy or get an extraction to be ready for dentures.
• Number of Teeth – Full dentures typically cost more than partial dentures.
• Materials – Dentures are usually made of porcelain or acrylic.

It can be tempting to shop around for the cheapest dentures. However, when it comes to replacing missing teeth, cheaper is usually not better. Low-cost dentures may not fit comfortably and may be more likely to break sooner. Just ask any denture dentist in Jupiter – quality is important for what goes in your mouth!

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Yes, implant dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures. However, implant dentures offer a wide ranges of benefits that other restorations do not. As their name suggests, implant dentures are a row of false teeth that attach to dental implants. Implants integrate directly with the jawbone, which means that implant dentures never slip or shift. By anchoring in jawbone, implant dentures also restore greater chewing power and appear more lifelike that traditional dentures. In addition, dental implants can last for decades with proper care. Traditional dentures, meanwhile, must be replaced every five to seven years on average. Thanks to their long-lasting nature and other benefits, implant dentures are an investment that pays dividends over the long term.  

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

In most cases, dental insurance considers dentures in Jupiter to be a major procedure and covers around 50% of their cost. Every insurance plan is slightly different, so be sure to check with your provider and confirm your coverage before committing to dentures. If you need assistance, our experienced team will be happy to help you review your insurance policy. We always work to help patients get the most out of their insurance benefits and will even file claim paperwork on your behalf.  

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

No insurance? No problem! There are plenty of ways to restore your smile without breaking the bank. At Jupiter Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry , we offer an In-House Dental Savings Plan to help uninsured and underinsured patients pay for their dental care. For one flat annual fee, you get all the preventive care you need for a year plus 15% off all other treatments. Best of all, when you enroll in our In-House Dental Savings Plan, there are no co-pays, no deductibles, and no hidden fees to worry about!

Want to break up the cost of your dentures into smaller monthly payments? You can do just that with flexible, low-to-no interest financing from CareCredit. A trusted partner, CareCredit offers a number of convenient plans with various payment schedules that can work for absolutely any budget. Ask our staff for more details !  

You don’t have to bust your budget to restore your smile. To learn more about the cost of dentures in Jupiter and different payment options, schedule a consultation at our office.

Removable Dentures

Remove After Eating

Every time you finish eating your meals, remember to take them off and rinse them thoroughly. This will help you avoid collecting debris, food particles, and bacteria atop your prosthetics. Be sure to not use hot water, as this can end up warping the material and making your dentures not fit correctly.

Clean Your Prosthetics

Whenever you’re going to clean your dentures, you must remove them from your mouth first. This allows you to clean every surface of your prosthetics, especially the underside that meets the gums, as this is where bacteria can accumulate most easily. Use mild hand soap, not toothpaste. If you aren’t putting them back on afterward, soak them in a glass of water or denture cleanser to keep them fresh until you wear them again.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

While you’re cleaning or handling your dentures, place a soft towel underneath them. This can help protect them from getting damaged in case they slip from your hands. Be sure to also keep them out of reach of small children and pets.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

Taking your dentures off while you sleep is essential for your oral health. Not only will your dentures get to soak overnight and stay bacteria-free, but your gums will also have the chance to get the essential nutrients necessary to keep them strong and healthy. Leaving your dentures on 24/7 can result in gum irritation, sores, and a higher risk of complications like tongue plaque and even pneumonia. Having your dentures soak can also prevent them from drying out and losing their shape.

Notice Changes

Remember to visit your dentist every six months like normal, or sooner if you ever notice any unusual changes with your prosthetics. If you see any mild abnormalities with your dentures or in your mouth, such as sores, gum irritation, or indications of an infection, make sure you notify our team early on. This will allow us to address the complications before the problems can worsen.

All-on-4 Dentures

While All-on-4 dentures rebuild missing teeth similar to traditional ones, they won’t require as many steps as the latter. Since they’re supported to your jawbone via dental implants, you won’t have to worry about needing to remove them for cleaning or before bed. Instead, simply maintain them the way you would with your natural pearly whites, including brushing and rinsing them frequently. Try using floss threaders to clean between the dentures and the gum line. And, of course, visit our team every six months for checkups, that way you can avoid future complications early on.

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

On average, most patients have to wait about six to eight weeks after getting their teeth pulled to receive dentures. While that may seem like a long time, it’s necessary to ensure that the gums heal properly and the oral appliances fit well. Also, it’s worth noting that the exact amount will vary depending on the type of denture in question. Immediate dentures can be placed on the same day as an extraction. However, they may need replacement sooner than expected because the shape of the jawbone changes as the mouth heals. If you’re getting implant dentures, you’ll need to wait between four to six months for the implant to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue via osseointegration.

Can I Sleep with My Dentures?

When you first get dentures in Jupiter, your dentist will ask you to keep them in your mouth for 24 hours, including sleep. After that, it’s strongly recommended that you take them out every night before bed. Since wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leaving them in for too long can lead to soft tissue irritation and speed up ridge resorption. Also, sleeping with dentures is associated with poor oral hygiene and a higher risk of pneumonia.

Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?

If you need oral surgery before getting dentures, you’ll likely experience some discomfort following your procedure. Luckily, you can easily manage your symptoms by diligently following your dentist’s aftercare instructions. You should take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed and use a cold compress to alleviate your discomfort. Once you get your oral appliances, it may take a while to adjust to wearing them. While the adjustment process can be uncomfortable, it should resolve within a few months. If your pain persists or worsens, you should contact our office right away for assistance.

Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?

Initially, you may find it difficult to speak with dentures because you’re so used to talking with your natural teeth. The good news is that any lisp or impediment you develop is temporary and should go away with practice. Here are some steps you can take to speed up the process:

• Read magazines or books aloud
• Have more conversations with loved ones
• Repeat difficult-to-pronounce words.

If needed, you can use denture adhesive for some extra stability to help you out while you’re adjusting.