Dentures – Abingdon, VA

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.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

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.

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.

Removable Dentures

Remove After Eating

You should always take out removable dentures after eating! Meals are often when the most bacteria is introduced to your mouth, and food particles are likely to stick to your appliance. Give them a quick rinse with temperate water or clean them more thoroughly if there’s a particularly stubborn piece of lettuce that won’t wash away.

Clean Your Restoration

To clean your removable dentures, all you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush and either hand soap or dish soap. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive for this restoration, and could cause premature wear.

Be sure to brush your dentures from top to bottom, and consider soaking them in a special cleaning solution at night for sanitization.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

If they’re not in your face, they should be in a case! Dentures are designed to replace your teeth, but few things are as durable as natural enamel. Keep your new appliance safe by putting them in a secure location when you’re not using them – preferably one out-of-reach from curious children and pets.

Remove When You Sleep

Did you know your gums need to circulate? They need to receive essential nutrients from your blood in order to stay healthy. Wearing your dentures 24/7, however, doesn’t give them the chance to breathe. Take out your snugly-fitting dentures every night to support your gum health and avoid foul odors.

Notice Changes

Your oral health and structure can change with time, and these changes can have an effect on your dentures. For example, if the shape of your jawbone shifts, then your appliance may not fit as well as it used to, and you’ll likely experience discomfort. Keep an eye out for differences in your oral cavity, and let your dentist know if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

All-on-4 Dentures

Because all-on-4 dentures use dental implants to keep your restoration firmly in place, the care routine for them looks a bit different. Here’s what you should do:

• Brush your teeth twice daily
• Floss at least once per day
• Use a sulcus brush to clean between your gums and the restoration
• Rinse your mouth daily