If you’re missing some or all of your teeth or have teeth that require extraction, there’s no need to be embarrassed about your situation. Missing teeth are a common problem, with 69% of adults losing at least one tooth sometime between the ages of 35 and 44. However, if you are missing teeth, we strongly suggest having them replaced. One trusted option is dentures and partials in Bowie, MD.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Whether you are missing multiple teeth or all of your teeth, you are likely to make a good candidate for dentures. During your consultation with us, we can discuss whether dentures are right for you. If you don’t make a good candidate, this doesn’t always mean that you can’t become one. By working to restore the health of your gum tissue and bone structure, dentures may be in your future.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Teeth are very strong, but they aren’t completely indestructible. The most common reasons behind tooth loss include tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are several negative side effects of missing teeth, including facial sagging, difficulty speaking, trouble eating, and lower self-esteem. By opting for dentures to replace your missing teeth, you can improve all of these areas of your life.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Dentures are ideal for patients who have experienced significant tooth loss. It’s also important that the recipient is committed to their oral hygiene routine and willing to care for their new prosthetic. Depending on the number of teeth you are missing and where they are located in your mouth, you will get either a full denture, partial denture, or implant denture that is customized just for you. One of the great things about dentures is the fact that they are more affordable than other tooth replacement options, like dental implants. This makes them ideal for patients who are unable to invest lots of money into their smile at this time.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If you don’t make a good candidate for dentures or they don’t sound like your cup of tea, you may want to explore the other tooth replacement options that we offer:
Dental Bridges: Dental bridges are ideal for patients who are only missing one or a few teeth. They work by “bridging” the gap with a replacement tooth, so they require healthy teeth surrounding the missing tooth/teeth to support the bridge.
Dental Implants: Dental implants are titanium, screw-like posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone, so they require that the patient has a solid bone structure. This option is more costly than traditional dentures, but it’s permanent.
A full denture replaces your teeth when you’ve lost all of them along a single row. Replacement teeth are created and placed on a base molded to fit your gum line. Partial dentures replace missing teeth when you still have some left, attaching to your remaining teeth using clasps. Both of these dental prosthetics are removable, allowing for easy cleaning and care.
We provide patients from Bowie and surrounding areas with dentures and partials created with the highest quality in mind. If you would prefer, we can also provide you with dental implant restorations. We want you to have a smile you can be proud of throughout your entire lifetime, so don’t let missing teeth lead to lifelong discomfort.
How Dentures Are Made
Once you decide to get dentures, you might be wondering what the process looks like. By understanding how your dentures are made, you can appreciate your new smile even more! Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, but here is what you can typically expect if you are replacing your missing teeth with dentures.
What Are Dentures Made Of?
Dentures are comprised of two different parts – the base and the replacement teeth. Here is what each one looks like:
Denture Base: This is the foundational structure that gives the replacement teeth the support they need. It can be made from a variety of materials, including acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal. Most of the time, full dentures are crafted from acrylic because it can be tailored to match your natural gum tissue. Partial dentures often use metal clips with an acrylic base.
Replacement Teeth: The replacement teeth are usually made from resin or porcelain. However, porcelain is more popular because it looks and feels just like natural tooth enamel. It is also extremely durable. Because porcelain can be abrasive on the adjacent teeth, it is usually only recommended for full dentures.
The Denture Creation Process
Every denture is customized for the patient’s mouth, so it requires a multistep process. Here is what this typically looks like:
Step 1: Your dentist will start by taking impressions of your upper and lower gums. This is used to create a plaster model that is a replica of the patient’s mouth. This model is used to make sure the final denture is the perfect size and shape of your mouth. During this time, measurements of your jaw are also taken.
Step 2: The case is sent to the dental laboratory. This is where your denture will be made. They will create a wax version of the gumline.
Step 3: The replacement teeth are set in place. A mechanical device called an articulator will be used to attach the teeth with wax. The technician will make minor adjustments by shaping and carving the wax to ensure that it looks like your gums. This wax base will be used for your finished dentures.
Step 4: The wax dentures are sent back to your dentist for a fitting. If they are approved, the dentures will be sent back to the dental laboratory to complete the process.
Step 5: Once back in the lab, the technician will boil your dentures to melt away the wax portions. To do this, the dentures are placed in a flask, and plaster is poured in to maintain the shape of the dentures. Then, the entire flask is placed into hot water to melt the dentures.
Step 6: Holes are made in the replacement teeth so the material can attach to it. A liquid separator is added to the plaster layer to prevent the acrylic from sticking to it. Acrylic is then injected into the flask to replace the wax.
Step 7: The plaster is carefully removed using special lab tools to reveal the denture. The acrylic dentures are placed in an ultrasonic bath to remove any remaining plaster.
Step 8: Excess acrylic is cut away from the denture. After trimming, the denture will be polished to perfection.
Step 9: Now that it is ready, the patient will return to the office for a fitting. Adjustments will be made if needed to ensure that everything looks and feels great.
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
Mild soreness is common when first getting dentures. Initially, you may have some discomfort and difficulty eating and speaking clearly. Fortunately, your mouth will quickly adjust to your dentures, and they will eventually feel just like your natural teeth. You can speed up this adjustment process by sticking to soft foods, exercising your facial muscles, and practicing difficult-to-pronounce words. If discomfort persists, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can help.
The Benefits of Getting Dentures
Dentures have been around for a long time, and over the years, they’ve been improved and updated to look realistic and function more effectively than ever. When you restore your arch of teeth with this prosthetic, you can enjoy a variety of benefits, including some of the following:
One of the most cost-effective tooth replacement treatments.
Enjoy enhanced chewing and speaking abilities.
Expect to be smiling within a matter of weeks.
A completely natural appearance.
Support for your facial muscles.
Using & Maintaining Your Dentures
It typically takes about a month or two to completely adjust to your new dentures. Many patients experience a variety of side-effects over the course of this time, including extra saliva production, tender gums, or even sores on their gums. To help speed this adjustment process up, it’s a good idea to start with softer foods and always cut up any non-soft foods into small, easy-to-chew pieces. After several weeks, you’ll notice that they begin to feel just like your natural teeth once did.
To maintain your dentures, our team recommends following these daily and weekly regimens:
Whenever you’re not wearing your denture, store it in a glass of room temperature water.
Always take your denture out before bed.
Never use hot or boiling water to clean your denture.
Clean your dentures at least once a day using a special denture toothbrush and non-abrasive denture cleaning solution.
Rinse your dentures before you put them back in your mouth.
Don’t try to fix a broken denture. Take it to your dentist.
Don’t use bleaching products or whitening toothpaste on your denture.
Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
How Much Do Dentures Cost?
The cost of dentures can depend on a variety of different factors, including:
Whether you need full or partial dentures
What types of materials you’re choosing to have your dentures crafted from
Whether you need any preparatory treatments, like a tooth extraction
Whether you opt for a traditional or implant-retained denture
Our team at Ambiance Dental Spa will be able to determine all of these details during your initial consultation, once we’ve had an opportunity to examine your teeth and gums. We’ll then develop a treatment plan and walk you through it, including the cost of your procedure and financing options.
Denture FAQs
Dentures in Bowie have replaced missing teeth for generations. They are a tried-and-proven solution to replicate natural teeth; however, they are a big commitment. Not sure if they are right for you? Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions to make the best decision for your smile.
Should I have all my teeth removed to get dentures?
Every tooth is invaluable to your dental health, but sometimes they can’t be saved. Your denture dentist in Bowie always strives to preserve your natural teeth, but there are situations when they may recommend their removal. If any remaining teeth are too badly decayed, infected, or broken, it can be more cost-effective to have them taken out instead of trying to repair them. If you need to have any teeth extracted, there isn’t a limit to the number that can be removed during one visit, but some cases are more complex than others. Your denture dentist will review all your options to feel confident about the road ahead.
Can I sleep with my dentures?
You’ll have to wear your dentures at night for the first 24 hours, but then you’ll need to get in the habit of removing them. Although no one wants to be caught without their teeth, your gums need time to rest. Dentures restrict circulation to the soft tissues. Removing them before bed allows your gums to recuperate to get ready for the next day. Not to mention, your mouth is the perfect environment for harmful bacteria. Sleeping with your dentures can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria that can cause infections, odors, and shorten the lifespan of the prosthetic. It’s best to remove your dentures daily for cleaning. Soak them in a cleaning solution overnight to kill any bacteria left behind by your toothbrush.
Can I eat steak with dentures?
You don’t have to skip steak any longer; however, your dentist will have a few words of caution. While it is possible, tough meats can be difficult to chew with dentures, so you’ll want to cut your food into smaller pieces. It’s best to choose tenderized meats because they are easier to chew. Look for meats that contain little connective tissues or muscle fibers. If you need a little extra stability when chewing, consider using an adhesive to hold your teeth in place.
Can I use regular toothpaste to clean my dentures?
Although your dentures aren’t subject to tooth decay, you’ll want to brush them daily, but not with regular toothpaste. The abrasiveness can leave small scratches on your dentures that can tarnish their appearance. Not to mention, bacteria and food particles can get trapped in the tight spaces, leading to odors and damage. Instead, use a mild dishwashing liquid or hand soap along with a soft-bristled toothbrush. When cleaning your new teeth, never use hot water because it can warp your denture. Your dentist recommends brushing your dentures after every meal and soaking them in a cleaning solution nightly.
