Dentures – Mineola, NY

Effects of Missing Teeth

About 178 million Americans are missing one or more teeth. There are multiple possible causes of tooth loss, such as advanced tooth decay, gum disease that has reached its most severe stages, and accidents that involve getting hit in the mouth. No matter what the cause is, losing any number of teeth can have significant consequences for your oral health and your quality of life.

When your smile is incomplete, you may find that it’s harder to chew properly, thus limiting your ability to eat certain foods. Also, you might have a harder time speaking clearly; this, combined with the noticeable gap in your smile, can end up shaking your confidence and leave you with decreased self-esteem. The sooner you replace your missing teeth, the sooner you can put these problems behind you.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Have you lost most or all of your teeth? Or will you need to have your teeth extracted in the near future due to oral health issues? In these types of situations, dentures can be an excellent option for reclaiming a complete, beautiful smile.

Before we can confirm that you’re a candidate for dentures, though, we will need to perform a thorough examination of your mouth. Specifically, we’ll need to check the state of your gum tissue and your jawbone; they need to be in good health to support dentures.

It is worth noting that, much like your natural teeth, dentures need to be properly maintained on a daily basis if you want them to last as long as possible. Thus, a good candidate for dentures needs to be able to commit to caring for their prosthesis.

Finally, the exact type of denture that you qualify for (be it a full denture, a partial denture, or an implant denture) will depend on your specific tooth-loss situation.

What are Dentures Made Of?

Whether partial or full, all dentures have two essential parts: the base and the artificial teeth. These components make up most of any denture and ensure the restoration works. As for what they do, consider their features below:

• Denture Base – As the core structure that supports artificial teeth, a denture’s base is made of acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal. Full and partial models mostly rely on acrylic bases, though nylon is a suitable substitute.
• Artificial Teeth – Artificial teeth (per their name) are a denture’s tooth-replacing portions. For that reason, they’re made from enamel-colored resin or porcelain – materials that give them a lifelike look.

The Denture Creation Process

Since each denture is customized for a particular patient, making one involves a multi-step process. The relevant steps are the following:

• Step 1: Our dentists will take a dental impression of your mouth. By doing so, we’ll be ready to make a plaster model that matches your future denture’s size and shape.
• Step 2: We’ll send the plaster model to a lab that uses it to create a wax gumline.
• Step 3: After making the wax gumline, lab workers will set artificial teeth in it. Doing so results in a prototype denture used to make the final one.
• Step 4: We’ll receive the prototype denture and see if it fits your mouth. Afterward, we’ll return it to the dental lab that crafts your restorations.
• Step 5: A worker will place the prototype in a flask after boiling it to remove its wax. As for the flask, this object will receive plaster and sit in hot water.
• Step 6: A separator will go into the plaster layer, keeping the acrylic from sticking. This material will be injected into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7: Lab workers will remove all plaster to reveal the final denture. Later, they’ll place the restoration in a bath to remove its residue.
• Step 8: Workers will cut off the denture’s excess acrylic, followed by briefly polishing it.
• Step 9: You will have your final denture fitted. At that time, the dentist will adjust it to work smoothly.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

While your mouth may ache when you first get dentures, this symptom is normal – you’ll need time to adjust to your new teeth. Once you’ve had your prosthetics for a few weeks, they’ll feel more familiar and won’t cause pain; they should seem as natural as your other teeth.

Despite the above, speeding up the adjustment is something you can do. One good approach would be exercising your facial muscles, making them strong enough to handle dentures. Other notable methods are eating soft foods to avoid pain or using adhesives. Through either of these actions, you’d adjust to dentures even sooner.

Whatever you do, please call us if your denture pain persists. Your new appliances may need further alteration.

Partial Dentures

Are only some of your teeth missing? If so, oftentimes, you can replace them with a partial denture. The base of the denture will be designed to match your gum tissue, and a specific number of replacement teeth will be attached based on your needs.

Full Dentures

Like a partial denture, a full denture has a gum-colored base. However, it also includes a full set of artificial teeth and can be used to replace either your upper or lower arch. As long as your denture is properly fitted, you can expect it to stay in place with natural suction (although denture adhesive can also help).

Implant Dentures

Certain patients may be able to get dentures supported by dental implants. This can prevent your replacement teeth from moving around, and it makes it possible to enjoy more kinds of foods. Additionally, dental implants can prevent bone loss by stimulating the jaw.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

Several different factors will determine the cost of getting dentures, but it’s important to keep in mind that every situation is different. Our team will provide you with a detailed estimate of your treatment at your consultation, so you know exactly what to expect. In the meantime, here are some key details that can influence the price:

• Any preliminary treatments or preparatory procedures you may need, like a tooth extraction or gum disease therapy.
• How many teeth you’re missing will determine whether you require a full or partial denture.
• Whether you opt to have your prosthetic anchored to dental implants or not.
• The materials your denture is crafted from.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

While it’s true that implant dentures in Mineola have a higher upfront cost than traditional ones, they are a wonderful long-term investment that will pay for themselves. By anchoring your prosthetic to these titanium posts, you’re able to enjoy unmatched stability and support, as well as a longer lifespan of up to 35 years or more with good maintenance. This means fewer visits to the dentist for adjustments and replacements and fewer dental bills.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

While every dental insurance plan can vary, many benefits cover at least a portion of the cost of restorative procedures, including dentures. Our team at Meadowbrook Dental Care will help maximize your benefits by filing claims on your behalf. We welcome both in and out-of-network plans and will do whatever we can to cut down on out-of-pocket expenses.

Other Options for Making Dentures More Affordable

In addition to accepting dental insurance, we also offer several other ways to receive discounts and flexible payment alternatives for your treatment, including:

• Our Dental Savings Plan: If you’re uninsured, we invite you to consider our easy-to-use in-house Dental Savings Plan. At just $34 a month for adults, both of your cleanings and checkups, as well as any X-rays will be completely covered for the year. You’ll also receive 10 percent off both basic and more major services, like dentures.
• Additional Third-Party Financing: If you are uninsured or underinsured, we also offer financing through several trusted third parties, including CareCredit, Sunbit, Proceed, and Cherry.

If you would like to take advantage of either of these options, please contact our team today to learn more.