Dentures – Lisle, IL

Effects of Missing Teeth

You could be missing teeth for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you are suffering from gum disease that wasn’t treated in time. Maybe the tooth itself was so badly decayed that it had to be taken out of your mouth. And in certain cases, the gap could be a consequence of an accident that resulted in you getting hit in the face.

Losing any number of teeth can lead to serious consequences. For example, without the stimulation provided by your natural teeth, your jawbone may start to degenerate over time. Other effects of missing teeth can include:

• Not being able to enjoy all of your favorite foods anymore due to difficulty chewing.
• Having a hard time being understood as a consequence of no longer being able to speak clearly.
• Feeling embarrassed about the way your smile looks, which can lead to reduced self-esteem.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures can be used to replace multiple teeth at once and greatly improve your ability to eat, speak, and smile. You will likely want to consider getting dentures if you have lost multiple teeth or all of your teeth. Before you need to make any commitments, we’ll confirm that you’re a viable candidate for dentures by examining your mouth and making sure that you have healthy gums and the right amount of bone in your jaw.

Remember that qualifying for dentures can mean more than one thing. A full denture is ideal if an entire row of teeth is gone. However, if you only have a few gaps to fill, we are likely to suggest a partial denture instead.  Additionally, depending on the state of your jawbone, you may be able to get dentures anchored to dental implants for additional stability and chewing power.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Have you discovered that dentures aren’t the best fit for you? Don’t worry. Our team has other ways to help you achieve a complete smile again.

• Dental Bridges: You may want to think about having a dental bridge placed if there’s only one gap in your smile that needs to be filled. By attaching the prosthesis to two of your natural teeth, we can literally “bridge” the empty space.

Dental Implants: Dental implants are the only type of tooth replacement that can act as new tooth roots, which means they can offer all kinds of unique benefits. To qualify for dental implants, you need to be in good enough health for minor oral surgery.

What are Dentures Made Of?

Your denture will be made up of a base and a number of artificial teeth. Specific materials are used to make each of these components:

• The base of the denture will often be made out of acrylic. One of the biggest advantages of using acrylic is that it can be designed to match the appearance of your gums, thus giving your prosthesis a more natural appearance overall. Note that if you have partial dentures, the acrylic base will also include metal clips to hold your dentures in place.
• The artificial teeth of the dentures can potentially be made out of resin. That said, it’s more common for porcelain to be used thanks to how natural it looks and feels in the mouth.

The Denture Creation Process

After we have confirmed that you are a candidate for dentures and have narrowed down the type you should get, we can begin the multi-step process of having your dazzling new prosthesis made. This generally involves the following steps:

• Our team will make a model of your mouth after taking the appropriate impressions. This model is vital for creating a denture that is precisely the right shape and size for your smile. We’ll also take any measurements of your jaw that might be needed.
• The model of your mouth will be sent to a trusted dental laboratory. The experts at this lab will make a wax version of your gums. An appropriate number of artificial teeth will be placed in the wax with a device called an articulator.
• The wax dentures will be sent to our office so that we can confirm that they fit comfortably in your mouth. If we’re happy with the results, the wax dentures can be returned to the lab so that the process can continue.
• The next step is to get rid of the wax portion of the dentures. This is done by placing them in a flask that will be immersed in hot water. Plaster is used to help the dentures maintain their shape even after the wax has been removed.
• Acrylic will be injected into the flask so that it can act as a new base for the dentures. The plaster is carefully removed, and excess acrylic is taken off to put the finishing touches on the new prosthesis.
• The completed dentures are sent back to us. At this point, all that’s left is to bring you back to our office so that we can make sure that your new teeth fit as they should.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Once you get your final dentures, there may be some mild discomfort, and you’ll need time to get used to speaking and chewing with your new teeth. There are steps you can take to help the adjustment process go more smoothly, such as eating soft foods; our team will be happy to share any tips you might need.

Psychological Benefits

Whether you’ve lost several or all of your teeth, having an incomplete smile can negatively impact your self-esteem. It’s easy to feel like you’re not the same person you used to be, and you might avoid social interactions as a result. Plus, fear of judgment over your appearance can leave you tight-lipped or unwilling to smile to speak in front of others. Our dentists can fit you with beautiful, lifelike dentures to rebuild your grin to alleviate your worry. Having artificial teeth in place can give you some well-deserved peace of mind that allows you to feel comfortable engaging with other people again.

Clearer Enunciation

You need teeth to talk because you form certain sounds and words by pressing your tongue against them in specific ways. When they go missing, you could develop a lisp or have other challenges when it comes to communication. Unfortunately, when you struggle to enunciate things then you’re more likely to be misunderstood by others. Dentures contain the right number of pontics (artificial teeth) to help you speak clearly. While it can take about a month for the muscles in your mouth to adjust to them, once you do, it’ll become second nature.

Improves Nutrition

Did you know that when teeth are lost you’re more likely to develop other medical concerns like gastrointestinal issues? This is because they are responsible for mashing your food into pieces small enough to be easily swallowed and digested. You’re less able to chew effectively without a full mouth of teeth, and the larger bits of food can cause problems in your stomach. Furthermore, you might not get all the nutrients you need to keep your body in good condition if you opt for easy-to-consume alternatives. Once your dentures arrive, you’ll be able to partake in a wider variety of wholesome foods to support full-body health.

Preserves Oral Health

When your teeth fall out and leave spaces behind, any remaining pearly whites will naturally shift to try to fill in the gaps. As they shift out of alignment, they’ll be exposed to uneven wear and tear which makes them more prone to breaking. They will inevitably take on added pressure every time you bite down to chew which can eventually chip or fracture them. Dentures, meanwhile, can take on the force of eating and ensure that teeth remain in their initial positions.

Expands Opportunities

Your smile is one of the first things other people notice about you and if yours has holes, you might not be as successful. You could find yourself avoiding opportunities that could pay off, like scheduling an interview for a higher-paying position or making an important presentation to colleagues. It’s unfortunate, but studies have found that the probability of being employed is negatively associated with poor oral health. Dentures are a great way to refurbish your grin so that you can get ahead in life after tooth loss.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

At the initial consultation, Drs. Frank and Jeanelle Marchese will perform an oral exam. Doing so lets them assess factors related to your dentures’ price. The most common of these are:

• Whether you need prep work before getting dentures (i.e., root canal, tooth extraction, etc.)
• The acrylic material used for the denture base – the part of the appliance dyed to match your gum tissue
• The replacement teeth, whose material is usually porcelain or acrylic (These chompers need to be sturdy and lifelike.)

As the dentists review these factors with you, remember that the cheapest dentures aren’t ideal. Such kinds rely on subpar acrylic for their bases and teeth. For longer-lasting results, you ought to choose practical and high-quality prosthetics!

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Regarding the upfront cost, implant dentures are the more expensive choice. That said, their higher price is entirely justified.

For starters, implant dentures have features traditional ones don’t. They contrast from the standard due to using dental implants – restorations that fuse with your jaw. As such, these prosthetics are permanent and highly secure; they won’t slip or fall. Their fusion also ensures they look and act like natural teeth.

Furthermore, implant dentures usually pay off in the long run. Their implants can last 15-30 years, requiring fewer repair and replacement fees. Meanwhile, regular dentures have a lifespan of 5-7 years and need many (and pricey) follow-up visits.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Yes, actually – dental insurance usually does cover dentures. The latter procedure is considered major, so most companies will cover 50% of its cost.

All that said, you can always find exceptions. Your own insurance plan may limit its denture coverage. That being the case, confirm your benefits before pursuing treatment. Our team can even help you do so if necessary.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Of course, insurance isn’t the only way to make dentures affordable. Other options also exist! Especially notable are the dental practice’s payment options. If you find the right one, dentures don’t have to break your budget.

Look at our own Arbor Dental Care, for example. We happen to work with CareCredit – a reputable third-party financier. Through them, you can pay for dentures in low-interest monthly installments. This approach lets you cover the treatment cost gradually instead of all at once.

Ultimately, we’d be more than happy to give you beautiful and affordable dentures. With that said, book a consultation at our office to learn more!