Dentures are an affordable way to replace missing teeth
Restore your smile and feel more confident when you smile, speak, laugh, and eat around others
We offer both full and partial dentures at Scarsdale Smiles
Dentures are a set of removable artificial teeth. They can replace a few missing teeth or an entire arch of teeth. Modern dentures look incredibly natural, as the artificial teeth are made of porcelain or composite resin and attached to an acrylic framework that mimics the appearance of natural gums.
Dentures are temporary tooth replacements and will need to be replaced every 7-10 years. Because over time, due to aging and changes in the jaw structure, your dentures can become loose or the materials can become worn down, you will need to have your dentures replaced and refitted. Your dentures could be relined or rebased in certain cases, which involves replacing the acrylic base but not the artificial teeth.
Dentures work by holding the shape of your mouth and supporting the soft tissue inside of it. The artificial teeth will help to assist you with mastication and speech. The dentures are held into place through suction, implants, or clasps depending on the type of dentures.
Partial dentures are attached through a metal wire framework and clip onto metal clasps that are attached to your natural teeth. When you first begin to wear dentures, it can take an adjustment period to get used to them.
They may feel uncomfortable for the first few weeks but as you continue to use them to eat and speak, it will feel more natural. You will have a trial fitting before receiving your official dentures so you have the opportunity to make adjustments to ensure they fit as comfortably as possible.
If you are receiving full dentures, you will first need to have your remaining natural teeth extracted. Your gums will need to fully heal before we can have any dentures fitted, which will take about 8 weeks.
An oral exam will be performed and x-rays of your teeth will be taken to ensure that you’re in good oral health. If you need dental cleanings, fillings, or other dental work, you will need to get this done before having partial dentures fitted.
Impressions are taken of your mouth and teeth as well as measurements of your jaw and how your teeth align. These impressions are sent to a dental lab as a guide for the creation of the temporary dentures that you will try on.
When you trial your dentures, you will test the dentures to see if you are pleased with how they look, feel, and function. You will let us know if any adjustments need to be made. At the next appointment, your official dentures will be fitted but adjustments can still be made if necessary. Your dentures should be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. They should not irritate your gums or interfere with day-to-day activities.
Full dentures are reserved for people who are already missing the majority of their teeth. This is because receiving full dentures necessitates the extraction of all of your remaining teeth. If you only have one or a few missing teeth, then partial dentures or dental bridges are more suitable for you.
Full dentures can replace an entire arch of teeth or both arches of teeth. They are held in place through suction or an adhesive and the process takes about 4 appointments. You need to fully heal from extraction before receiving your official complete dentures, but you will receive an immediate temporary full denture in the meantime. The process of having full dentures made can range from 6 weeks to 3 months.
After you have your teeth extracted, you will receive an immediate pair of temporary dentures while your gums heal to help you chew, speak, and enjoy the appearance of artificial teeth. In comparison, partial dentures are clipped onto the natural teeth via metal clasps to cover up one or a few missing teeth. You can expect to attend between 4-5 visits over 1-2 months.
Prevent shifting teeth and difficulties with speech and chewing with full or partial dentures. To find out more about dentures and which type is right for you, contact us at Scarsdale Smiles to schedule an appointment online with Scarsdale dentist Dr. Alexander Cox.
The lifespan of dentures depends on a few factors, such as the type of denture, the material it’s made from, oral hygiene practices, wear and tear, and bone density. Partial dentures have a maximum lifespan of 15 years, while full dentures tend to last for 7 to 10 years.
It’s also important to limit sources of wear and tear because your dentures can become damaged and this may require early replacement. Never expose your dentures to hot water, as this can morph the shape of your dentures.
You should also remember to remove your dentures and soak them in denture solution overnight. Leaving them in can cause bacteria to form in your mouth and on the dentures. Failing to soak your dentures can also cause them to dry out and crack.
A way that you can extend the lifespan of your dentures is to have them relined or rebased. Having your dentures relined means placing a new surface on the soft-tissue side of your dentures.
Rebasing is a little more complex because it involves replacing all of the acrylic in the base of the denture. In both cases, the denture is not entirely replaced but it significantly adjusts the fit of the dentures and replaces worn-down material.
There will be an adjustment period when you first receive your dentures. They may feel uncomfortable in the beginning, but you will get used to it within a month.
During this first month, it’s not unusual to experience discomfort in the form of gum soreness, excess saliva, sounding louder than normal, difficulty pronouncing certain sounds and eating certain foods.
However, things will become easier as time goes on. Once you have fully adjusted to your dentures, they should no longer be uncomfortable. If they are, that’s a sign that they have not been fitted properly.
Ill-fitting dentures can cause a lot of problems like trapping food particles beneath the dentures and accelerating bone loss. Over time, changes will occur to your facial structure due to bone resorption.
As your jawbone continues to break down due to tooth loss and a lack of stimulation, you may lose support to certain facial muscles or your denture may no longer fit properly. If dentures begin to feel loose, fall out, or feel uncomfortable, this can be a sign that it’s time for a replacement.
New dental impressions will be taken and a new denture will be fabricated to fit the contours of your mouth and restore support to your face.
Most dental insurance companies cover restorative dental treatments at up to 50% of the cost, including dentures. However, insurance plans also have many other eligibility requirements put in place, including copays, deductibles, and annual limits.
The annual limit is the amount that an insurance plan is willing to pay out in coverage for dental treatment per year. This limit can be as low as $1000 to $1500. However, the starting price of dentures is much higher than this. However, it can still significantly relieve your financial burden.
Contact your insurance provider directly to find out what their coverage terms are for dentures. At Scarsdale Smiles, we offer an in-house membership plan to patients who don’t have insurance, including discounts on dentures. Give us a call today to learn more about the perks of our membership plan.
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