Full and Partial Dentures from the Dentist in Corpus Christi

Effects of Missing Teeth

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, some of the most common causes of missing teeth include gum disease, tooth decay, and physical injury. When you have gaps in your smile, the jawbone can begin to shrink due to a lack of stimulation of blood flow. If that happens, the bone tissue can weaken, increasing the risk of further tooth loss.

It’s incredibly important to replace missing teeth. Otherwise, you may experience complications like facial sagging, difficulty eating, trouble speaking, and decreased self-confidence. By filling the gaps in your smile with dentures, you can enjoy a beautiful and fully functioning smile once again!

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

The good news is that most people who suffer from extensive tooth loss or sensitivity are eligible for dentures. For many years, these prosthetics have helped people eat, speak, and smile with greater confidence. Of course, you must have sufficient healthy gum tissue and jawbone to be considered a good candidate.

In addition, you must be committed to your oral hygiene routine and be willing to properly care for your new and improved smile. Dentures are also far more affordable than other methods of tooth replacement, which is why they’re a popular choice among patients on a budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Not a good candidate for dentures? That’s okay! You can explore our other tooth-replacement options:

• Dental Bridges – If you’re only missing one or a few teeth, you may want to consider dental bridges. All you need are healthy teeth surrounding the gap to support the restoration.
• Dental Implants – Since this option requires the placement of titanium posts into the jawbone, patients must have a solid bone structure to be eligible. While implants are a bit more expensive than other solutions, it’s worth the investment in the long run!

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures generally are composed of two parts:

• The base of the dentures is the gum-colored foundation that rests atop your gumline and supports your smile. This component is usually created out of acrylic but can also be made with nylon, resin, and even metal, such as with partials, as the metal clips will attach to nearby healthy teeth for support.
• The artificial teeth will typically be made out of acrylic or porcelain. While the two materials are capable of mimicking natural tooth enamel, acrylic is mainly used for partials because it is slightly softer. Porcelain, on the other hand, is much more durable and mostly used for full dentures.

The Denture Creation Process

To create your personalized dentures, the following steps will need to be performed:

• Firstly, Dr. Thompson will take precise impressions of your mouth that will be used to construct a replica of your gumline, which will then be sent to a trusted dental lab for fabrication.
• After the lab receives the impressions, they can begin developing a wax model of your gumline, using an articulator to place artificial teeth into the wax replica.
• Once completed, the wax replica will be sent to us for a fitting. We’ll then send the dentures back to the lab along with any notes for adjusting the prosthetics.
• The dental lab will then perform a series of adjustments to replace the wax with acrylic as well as to remove any remaining plaster and trim/polish the final results so that the prosthetics look like natural teeth and gums.
• Afterward, the lab will send the finished dentures to us so that we can fit them onto your smile. We’ll make minor adjustments if necessary to ensure your prosthetics are comfortable and functional in the long run.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

When you begin wearing your dentures, you may experience the following:

• Excessive saliva production
• Soreness or discomfort in the gums
• Difficulty speaking normally
• Discomfort while eating

Don’t worry—these symptoms are only temporary! Keep wearing your dentures as directed and you will adjust to your new teeth in a matter of several weeks. You can practice reading aloud to get used to speaking with dentures, and eat softer foods or cut them into smaller bites to speed through the denture adjustment phase. A little bit of repetition and time can go a long way! If you notice any issues, don’t hesitate to notify our team so we can help.

Psychological Benefits

It’s not uncommon for those who suffer from tooth loss to feel self-conscious about the state of their teeth or overly anxious about being judged by others. It influences your speech patterns as well as your ability to chew, which can cause embarrassment and frustration. You might even find that you’re no longer interested in meeting up with friends or participating in your usual social activities as a result. Rebuilding your grin with dentures can boost your confidence and alleviate your worry about how people will perceive you.

Clearer Enunciation

Your teeth play an essential role in the way you speak because you press your tongue to them in specific ways to form certain sounds and words. When some are lost, you’re likely to develop a lisp or have challenges enunciating which makes it harder to communicate. Replacing your missing teeth with dentures allows you to converse more normally so that you can be better understood. It can take about a month for the muscles in your mouth to learn to speak around them, but once you do, it’ll become second nature.

Improves Nutrition

You depend on your teeth to bite and grind your food and when they fall out, your diet can become much more limited. Many healthier foods, like fruits, vegetables, and protein, can be tough to chew without them. You might find that you’ve substituted much softer and less wholesome foods in their place. This can lead to more serious conditions like malnutrition because you’re not able to fill your body with the nutrients it needs to function at its peak. Dentures can boost your overall well-being by allowing you to once again enjoy a wide variety of ingredients.

Preserves Oral Health

If you’ve lost several teeth and still have some remaining, dentures can help preserve and protect them. Their natural inclination is to shift out of alignment in an attempt to fill the gaps. That means that every time you bite or chew, they’ll take on added pressure in ways they weren’t intended to. This causes uneven and premature wear and tear that leaves them more vulnerable to injury. With dentures in place, your remaining teeth will stay put to prevent potential problems.

Expands Opportunities

One of the first things people notice about you is the state of your smile so if yours is full of gaps, or has no teeth at all, it can influence their opinion about you. It can communicate that you don’t take very good care of yourself or that you don’t care about how you come across. Dentures give you a lifelike smile that is sure to impress others during your next big job interview or first date. Looking and feeling great can improve your chances of success.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

No two mouths are the same, so there’s not a one-size-fits-all denture. Instead, your new teeth are carefully crafted to fit your mouth like a glove. As a result, every treatment plan differs, which will affect the amount you’ll pay. Your denture dentist in Corpus Christi will examine your mouth to create an individualized strategy to treat your tooth loss. While every case differs, you can expect your estimate to include:

• Preparatory Treatments: It’s not uncommon to require a little prep work, like gum disease therapy or tooth extractions.
• Number of Arches: You will pay more when treating both arches.
• Type of Denture: You have several types of dentures to choose from, including traditional or implant methods.
• Materials: High-quality materials tend to last longer while being more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

Don’t worry, we will review your estimate and explain the fees, so you’ll know exactly what you will have to pay before committing to anything.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Implant dentures are initially more expensive than traditional methods, but they are the most cost-effective long-term. Conventional dentures need to be replaced every 5-7 years, but implant options can last for 30 years or longer with the right maintenance. You’ll save money down the road because you won’t have to pay for replacements. Not to mention, implant dentures are the only solution to replace the roots of your teeth. As a result, it preserves your jawbone to stop common issues associated with tooth loss to lower your overall oral health expenses. You’ll invest in the next best thing to your real teeth when choosing implant dentures.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Most dental plans can be used to offset the cost of dentures, including implant prosthetics. Although it’s unlikely your dental insurance will pay the entire amount, your policy can cover 50% to 80% of certain steps in your treatment plan, like tooth extractions, imaging, or restorations. A member of our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your annual allowance.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Besides using your dental insurance, our office provides multiple financial options to keep dentures in Corpus Christi affordable for everyone, including:

• Traditional Payments: Our office accepts all traditional payment forms, including cash, checks, and credit cards.
• Financing: Based on your credit approval, you can pay for dentures using monthly installments with little to no interest through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.

If you have any questions about paying for dentures, or you are ready to schedule your consultation, contact our office today to speak with a member of our team.

Can I sleep with my dentures?

No one wants to get caught without their teeth, but your denture dentist in Corpus Christi will recommend removing them nightly. Initially, you’ll be instructed to wear them for 24 hours, but then you will need to get in the habit of taking them out before bed. Your dentures will restrict blood circulation to your gums that can lead to sores, inflammation, and infection, if they aren’t given time to rest. Taking your dentures out will allow your gum tissue to get the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Not to mention, your mouth is dark and moist, which is the ideal environment for bacteria that can harm your oral and general health. It can also compromise the lifespan of your replacement teeth. You can keep your mouth and body healthy while also protecting your investment by taking your dentures out at the end of the day. Don’t forget to clean them and place them in a soaking solution before calling it a night.

Do I use regular toothpaste to clean my dentures?

Although your dentures will mimic your real teeth, you can’t clean them the same way. Toothpaste is abrasive, which can cause small scratches on your dentures. Not only can this tarnish their appearance, but the small crevasses can trap food particles and plaque. This can lead to unpleasant odors and shorten the lifespan of your prosthetic. Instead, it’s better to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild hand soap or dishwashing liquid. You can also purchase OTC cleaning products designed for denture wearers. Place your dentures in a nightly solution to remove any bacteria left behind by your toothbrush.

Can I still eat steak with dentures?

It’s entirely possible to enjoy a juicy steak with dentures, but your dentist will advise you to limit how often you have chewy meat. It will put extra wear and tear on your dentures, which can shorten how long they last. It can also lead to jaw and gum pain. If you can’t resist a steak, cut it into smaller pieces to make it easier to chew. If you need a little extra stability, consider using an adhesive to hold your teeth in place.

Do upper dentures always cover the palate?

An upper denture that covers the roof of your mouth can diminish the way food tastes. Thankfully, dentures come in many styles, including palateless options. An upper denture can have a horseshoe shape, similar to one that’s used for the lower arch or along with dental implants. Your dentist will discuss all your options to find the perfect style to meet your needs and preferences.