Dentures – Fanwood, NJ

Effects of Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can have some significant effects on your health and daily quality of life. For example:

• You may be struggling with other effects of whatever problem led to the tooth loss, such as gum disease or an injury.
• You may have a lack of self-confidence due to your appearance. Missing teeth may cause you to look older and give your face a sunken appearance.
• You may have a challenging time when you eat certain foods.
• It could be difficult for you to enunciate certain sounds.

The good news is that dentures and complementary treatments can do much to reduce the unpleasant consequences of missing teeth.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

You may be a candidate for dentures if:

• You have suffered moderate to severe tooth loss. If you have only lost one or two teeth, alternative forms of tooth replacement may be better suited for your situation.
• Your gums are healthy. You should be free of active gum disease.
• You are looking for a cost-effective way to replace your lost teeth. Dentures are often more affordable than other forms of tooth replacement.

During your consultation, we will help you determine which type of denture is right for you. You may qualify for a partial denture, full denture, or implant denture.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options

If dentures are not right for you, you might be a candidate for other forms of tooth replacement, such as:

• Dental bridges. A fixed bridge uses crowns that get attached to the remaining natural teeth. They support one or more artificial teeth between them. Bridges are often recommended for individuals who are missing just one or two teeth.
• Dental implants. Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots that can support any number of artificial teeth, from a single crown to a full denture. They are incredibly strong and can endure for decades. In fact, we often recommend implants as the best way to rebuild lost teeth.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Every denture, whether full or partial, has two essential components: the base and the artificial teeth. Here are some of their key features:

• Denture Base: Serving as the foundation, the denture base supports and holds the artificial teeth. Colored pink to blend seamlessly with the gums, it can be crafted from materials such as acrylic, nylon, porcelain, or metal, depending on the denture type.
• Artificial Teeth: The toothy portions of dentures, crafted from tooth-colored resin or porcelain in dental labs. Porcelain is currently the preferred substance due to its more natural tooth-like appearance compared to resin.

The Denture Creation Process

Dentures are not one-size-fits-all. Instead, each set is uniquely tailored to fit an individual's mouth through a customized, multi-step process:

• Step 1: Our dentists take a dental impression and create a plaster model that replicates the final denture's size and shape.
• Step 2: The plaster model is sent to a denture-making lab where technicians establish a wax gum line.
• Step 3: Artificial teeth are set into the wax base, creating a prototype for the finished dentures.
• Step 4: The wax dentures are fitted by our dentists and returned to the lab for final adjustments.
• Step 5: Dentures undergo boiling to remove wax, followed by placement in a flask with plaster in hot water.
• Step 6: A separator prevents acrylic from sticking as it replaces the wax.
• Step 7: Removal of plaster reveals the dentures, which are then bathed to remove residue.
• Step 8: Excess acrylic is trimmed, and the denture undergoes polishing.
• Step 9: The patient is fitted with the dentures, and the dentist makes adjustments for optimal functionality.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Naturally, experiencing discomfort or aches is common when you first wear dentures. Some patients may encounter soreness and challenges in eating or speaking initially. However, these effects are completely normal and tend to fade as you get used to the dentures.

To speed up the adjustment process, consider incorporating practices such as eating soft foods for a week, which is gentle on your gums. Engaging in facial muscle exercises or using adhesives can also help alleviate discomfort, making the dentures feel more natural.

If persistent or worsening pain occurs, contact us right away. Your dentures may need to be repaired or replaced.

Psychological Benefits

People without all their teeth tend to have difficulty accepting tooth loss, and it’s common for their self-esteem to take a hit. This can make navigating social situations and engaging in meaningful conversations much more difficult, leading to social anxiety and depression. But patients who restore their smile with dentures are likely to experience increased confidence and self-esteem, allowing them to resume social outings with confidence and ease!

Clearer Enunciation

Your teeth aren’t just for biting and chewing food; they play a very crucial role when it comes to speech and communication! Your lips and tongue rely heavily on the position of your teeth to pronounce certain sounds, so if you’re missing teeth, needless to say, you might run into trouble when trying to enunciate words or phrases. Since dentures act as your missing teeth, speaking should come more easily once you’ve adjusted to wearing them.

Improves Nutrition

Some types of healthy foods are tough in texture; raw vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and more can sometimes be difficult to thoroughly chew, especially if you’re missing teeth. And if you can’t chew your food properly, you might encounter issues like malnutrition as well as indigestion. But dentures allow for a more expansive diet that includes all sorts of healthy options since they fully restore your ability to bite and chew.

Preserves Oral Health

When you lose teeth, regardless of what caused the issue, any remaining natural teeth are at an increased risk of falling out. Dental drift, or the unintended movement of teeth, becomes possible if there are gaps in your smile since the remaining teeth will slowly shift towards the gaps, eventually falling out. Dentures can fill out those gaps and ensure that your remaining teeth stay put. And since dentures also bear some of the weight of chewing, they also reduce the amount of wear and tear on existing teeth, thereby prolonging their lifespan!

Expands Opportunities

Did you know that your smile can have a bearing on your professional success and career path? After all, it’s often the first feature that people notice about you! Plus, studies show that the probability of being employed is actually closely linked with oral health; those with pristine teeth and gums are more likely to succeed in job interviews, meetings, or presentations than those with missing teeth.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

The amount you’ll have to pay for dentures will depend on multiple factors, such as:

• The number of teeth you’re missing – Replacing an entire arch of teeth with a full denture requires more material than a partial denture. As a result, full dentures tend to cost more, but that’s not always the case.
• The materials the denture is made from – The base of your denture and your artificial teeth can be crafted from various materials that come at different price points. Keep in mind, though, that cheap dentures tend to break down quickly, so it’s often worth investing in a quality solution.
• Any necessary preliminary procedures – Some patients need certain treatments, like tooth extractions or gum disease therapy, before their dentures can be placed. It should come as no surprise that these procedures increase overall treatment costs.

Because there are many variables at play here, the only way to know for sure how much your dentures will cost is to schedule a consultation with our team.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Implant dentures cost more at first than traditional dentures because you have to pay for the dental implant posts themselves as well as their surgical placement in the jaw. However, implant dentures may actually be more cost-effective in the long run.

Regular dentures need to be replaced every five to seven years on average, and adjusted every year or two. Implant dentures, on the other hand, are capable of lasting for 30+ years if you take proper care of them. They also renew more chewing power, making it easier for you to maintain a nutritious diet that could stave off medical issues that require expensive treatment. Most of our patients with implant dentures consider them an investment worth making!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

In most cases, dental insurance companies deem dentures a “major restorative treatment,” meaning they typically provide coverage at 50% up until you meet your plan’s annual maximum. Depending on your specific plan, you could end up saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your replacement teeth!

Our practice is in-network with a variety of popular dental insurance providers. We’ll even file claims for out-of-network patients – you’d be surprised how much we can help you save!

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? No worries! Your denture dentist has another way of making dentures affordable. Our in-house savings plan is a wonderful alternative to traditional insurance. Instead of dealing with ever-changing monthly premiums, annual maximums, and deductibles, all you have to do is pay one flat fee. This plan gives you FREE preventive dental care as well as discounts on most of our other services, including some that insurance won’t cover! Ask one of our friendly team members how we can help you save!

How do you clean dentures?

Cleaning your dentures is an important step in protecting your oral health. Here are some basic maintenance tips and tricks to prevent plaque and food debris accumulation:

• Brush your dentures at least once a day using a special denture brush and cleaning solution.
• Be sure to clean your gums and tongue after each time you remove your dentures.
• Remove and rinse your dentures after each time you eat.
• Handle your dentures carefully, being sure not to damage them while you’re cleaning them.
• Soak your dentures in room temperature water every night.
• Schedule routine checkups every six months with our friendly team.

Does it mean my dentures don’t fit right if I gag when I chew my food?

When you first get your dentures, you’ll go through an adjustment period that typically takes up to a month. During this time, it’s important to continue using your dentures so you can get used to using them and strengthen your cheek and facial muscles. As you begin to adjust, it will become more comfortable and easier to chew food. Here are some exercises and tips to help you adjust faster:

• Exercise your cheeks to give you more control over your dentures.
• Try denture adhesive.
• Cut your food into small pieces to chew them more easily.
• Sing in the shower!
• Read your favorite book aloud.

I’ve had my dentures for awhile and they feel loose. Do they need to be adjusted?

If you’ve had your dentures for awhile and they become loose or begin to shift in your mouth, it’s likely due to the fact that the shape of your jawbone and oral structure has changed. This can occur because when the roots of your teeth are no longer stimulating blood flow to those areas, they can begin to deteriorate and change your facial appearance. If you notice that your dentures are beginning to fit differently, you can bring them to our office so we can make the necessary adjustments.

How much denture adhesive should I use?

Before you put denture adhesive on, it’s important to completely clean and dry them. You can start applying the adhesive in either a series of small dots or strips to ensure even coverage. Be sure to avoid applying the adhesive to close to the edges of your dentures and make sure to only use a small amount to start. Using too much can make them difficult to remove. Press and hold your dentures firmly in place for a secure fit.