Dentures – Abingdon, VA
Enjoy Life with a Full Smile Again
Eating all kinds of foods at your favorite restaurants, showing off a confident smile when meeting someone for the first time, speaking clearly at important meetings and events – all of these things are made possible by having a full set of teeth. When multiple teeth are lost, it can hinder your life in many different ways. But if you call Dr. Amburgey, he can restore your entire grin with an expertly-designed denture.
Why Choose Amburgey Dental for Dentures?
- Long-Lasting, Realistic Restorations
- Partnered with Local Dental Implant Experts
- Dentist with Over 15 Years of Experience
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
When suffering from tooth loss, it’s crucial to replace missing teeth quickly. You should thus call our office at once to book a visit. Once we’ve performed an oral exam, we’ll then assess if you’re a good dentures candidate. You likely will be, though, since almost anyone can qualify for these prosthetics. However, don’t panic if you’re not eligible at first; you can become a candidate later by getting some prep work done.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Before treatment, it’s best to review the causes and effects of tooth loss. The practice will help you grasp why you may need dentures.
In terms of causes, a person might lose teeth for various reasons. A tooth could decay so much that it falls out or needs extraction. On the other hand, they could contract gum disease that wears down the bone and tissue securing their chompers. Getting teeth knocked out from an accident or injury is another possibility.
Regardless of causal factors, however, missing teeth produce harsh effects. For starters, the lack of pearly whites makes eating, speaking, and smiling harder. Furthermore, smile gaps could erode your jaw’s bone tissue – a process that often triggers facial collapse. The same spaces may even cause more tooth loss.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
As referenced before, most patients who lack teeth can qualify for dentures. There are, however, other potential qualifiers (and disqualifiers).
For instance, oral health is a relevant consideration. Dentures, you see, can do more than replace already-missing teeth; they can do the same for sensitive or decaying ones. It's also crucial that a candidate have healthy gum and bone tissue. Without such things, a denture would lack the support necessary to work.
The number of teeth lost is also a concern. Depending on how many are gone, one of two possible denture types will be necessary. If you’ve only a few teeth, a partial model is ideal. In contrast, you may require a full kind if all your teeth along an arch are gone.
Even finances should play a role in qualifications. After all, dentures are cheaper than other restorations. That fact makes them suitable for patients on a budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
In case you aren’t a good dentures candidate, don’t worry; our office has other options for you. In particular, Amburgay Dental has two other procedures you could try. These include:
- Dental Bridges – A dental bridge is ideal for patients only missing one or a few teeth. After all, it’s made of dental crowns affixed to a prosthetic tooth. As such, it needs nearby healthy teeth to support itself.
- Dental Implants – Dental implants are prosthetics placed in your jawbone. That being the case, they only work for patients with a solid bone structure. Furthermore, remember that this option is permanent and costs more than traditional dentures.
Types of Dentures
What kind of denture will you need to get? Our practice offers both partial dentures and full dentures, and we work with local specialists to bring our patients dentures supported by dental implants. The advantages and disadvantages of each option will be discussed during your initial consultation at our Abingdon office.
Partial Dentures
If only some of your teeth are missing, it is often possible to fill in the gaps with a partial denture. The gum-colored base of the partial denture will be made to fit comfortably around your natural teeth. Clasps will be used to keep your partial denture in place, and the prosthetic teeth will be designed to match your natural ones.
Full Dentures
Sometimes an entire arch of teeth might be compromised, but a full denture can help restore it. Dentures are made to be removable; when worn, they are kept in place by the suction that naturally occurs between the gums and the prosthetic. If you need help keeping your dentures from slipping around, you can pick up some denture adhesive.
Implant Dentures
You may have heard of dental implants and how they’re inserted into the jaw to anchor new teeth in place. When inserted at carefully chosen locations, implant posts can be used to support full dentures as well as partial dentures. There are several advantages to getting dentures attached to implants, such as preventing any unwanted shifting of your dental prosthetic.
Benefits of Dentures
Missing multiple teeth can have a profound effect on almost every aspect of your life. You may become disinterested in foods you used to love, miss out on social gatherings, or feel down on yourself. Dentures from Amburgey Dental could turn all these issues around, restoring your quality of life. If you’d like to learn more about the amazing benefits they offer beyond just aesthetics, read more below!
Psychological Benefits
Losing a tooth is almost like losing a limb—it's a part of you, and the loss is felt physically as well as mentally. When this happens multiple times, the effects can compound, causing anxiety over their appearance as well as depression and isolation. Replacing your missing teeth with dentures can be the first step to healing these feelings. A renewed smile can boost confidence, increase self-esteem, and lower stress levels, leading to better overall mental health. This can create positive momentum in your life, restoring social connections and renewing your interest in food, family, and fun.
Clearer Enunciation
Patients with tooth loss often experience speech impediments like slurring, mumbling, lisping, or more monotone expression. This is because the tongue has fewer surfaces to press on to articulate speech and the air in your mouth can’t flow properly. Even the chewing motion of your jaw and the feeling of teeth in your mouth has a part to play in speech. Dentures replace these vital functions, allowing you to clearly articulate your thoughts and feelings.
Improves Nutrition
Many times, when tooth loss occurs, patients find it difficult to chew more nutrient-dense foods like meat, whole grains, and vegetables. Without proper processing, large chunks of food will sit in their stomachs causing indigestion, acid reflux, and other issues. In some cases, this can often lead to excluding these dishes from their diet entirely. Dentures make it much easier to chew, allowing you to expand your diet and enjoy the benefits of proper nutrition.
Preserves Oral Health
Gaps in your smile present more than just aesthetic issues, they can also affect your oral health in many ways. Your mouth will always try to adjust to accommodate you, so your remaining teeth will slowly begin to shift to fill the spaces left behind. This can displace your bite, causing strain on your jaw and forcing your other teeth to pick up the slack. Denture prosthetics can keep your teeth from shifting and restore balance to your bite.
Expands Opportunity
It’s a fact that your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you whether it’s a client, a coworker, or an employer. Whether you’re in a front-facing sales position or are hoping for a promotion, a winning smile can give you a distinct advantage. In fact, a study from the Harvard School of Business suggests that people with better teeth are seen as more intelligent, approachable, and successful—all things that could open new opportunities for you.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Your financial situation shouldn’t stand in the way of a beautiful, functional smile. There’s no flat fee for dentures because every mouth is as unique as fingerprints. Although various factors affect the cost of dentures, Dr. Amburgey strives to keep a complete smile within everyone’s budget. You won’t have to compromise on quality, aesthetics, or comfort to treat your tooth loss.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
The amount you’ll pay for your new set of teeth is influenced by many things. Your dentist will examine your mouth and learn more about your preferences to create a personalized treatment plan. Although every situation differs, you can expect your estimate to include:
- Consultation & Diagnostic Services: Besides a visual examination, your dentist may perform other diagnostic services, like X-rays.
- Preliminary Procedures: It’s not unusual to require a little prep work, like gum disease treatment or tooth extractions.
- Type of Denture: Depending on your severity of tooth loss and preferences, you may be a candidate for a partial denture, full denture, or dental implants.
- Materials: The quality of the materials will affect the cost. It’s best to focus on quality instead of the price tag to ensure the best results.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures can cost more upfront than traditional prosthetics, but they are the most affordable overall. Dental implants are proven to last for 30 years or longer with the right aftercare, and they have over a 95% success rate. You won’t have to budget for replacements every few years, like with traditional dentures. Dental implants are also the only treatment to preserve your jawbone, improving your oral health and maintaining your facial shape. Your denture will be anchored to your jawbone, creating the next best thing to your real teeth. You can’t put a price on the benefits you’ll gain by investing in implant dentures.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Your dental insurance may cover some of the expenses for your dentures, including your consultation, diagnostic services, and preliminary procedures. After meeting your annual deductible, your insurance may cover up to 50% of the cost of your dentures until you meet your yearly limit. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your coverage.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Besides using your dental insurance, Dr. Amburgey offers other financial solutions, including:
- Traditional Payments: Amburgey accepts cash, personal checks, and credit cards for your convenience.
- Monthly Payments: Based on your credit approval, you can pay any out-of-pocket expenses using a monthly payment plan using a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.
- Special Offers: Amburgey offers various promotions for select services. A member of our office will review them during your consultation.