Dentures – Gahanna, OH
Restore a Complete Smile with Dentures
Your teeth are designed to last forever with the right aftercare, but that is not a reality for many Americans. Even losing one tooth can create new challenges in your daily life; however, significant tooth loss can be devastating. If you are missing most or all of your natural teeth, you can rebuild your smile with dentures in Gahanna, OH. Although they have a bad reputation for looking and feeling fake, our dental office embraces the latest technology and materials to make your new smile more realistic than ever before.
Why Choose Claybrooke Dental of Gahanna for Dentures?
- High-Quality Dental Materials Used
- We Accept Dental Insurance
- Experienced & Compassionate Team
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
When you come in for your consultation, our team will closely examine your mouth to determine the extent of your tooth loss and how dentures can resolve the issue. There are different types of dentures used in different situations, but all of them are custom-made for your smile and unique needs. Even if you’re not immediately eligible for dentures, we will work closely with you to ensure that your oral health is squared away, and your mouth is completely ready to be transformed with this life-changing solution.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Having missing teeth can present all kinds of problems; for instance, your remaining natural teeth adjacent to the empty spaces can begin to lean toward them, eventually falling out themselves. Tooth loss can also negatively impact your jawbone, as it'll start to deteriorate prematurely due to the lack of stimulation that was initially being provided by your teeth. Of course, it’s also expected to encounter trouble with eating and speaking, two of the primary tasks our teeth help us with. The bottom line is that tooth loss can lead to a long list of issues that affect your oral health and your overall livelihood—however, dentures can easily resolve these problems.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
You’ll be happy to hear that the majority of patients who suffer from tooth loss end up being good candidates for dentures, but there are a few things that need to be considered first. During your initial consultation, we’ll inspect your mouth and assess your gum health, your jawbone’s density, and any remaining natural teeth to determine if they might impede your dentures. We can then determine which denture is best suited for your needs. All of these restorations are viable; however, they all require excellent care to remain beautiful and functional!
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
While dentures are one of the most well-known and reliable tooth replacement options out there, other options can also get the job done. Here’s more about a couple of alternative tooth replacement solutions we offer:
- Dental bridges – Bridges are ideal for patients who are missing one or a few teeth in a row; as their name implies, they “bridge” the gap left by missing teeth. They can be supported by being attached to crowns placed on healthy teeth next to the gap, and they’re durable, natural-looking, and easy to keep clean!
- Dental implants – These are titanium posts that are directly placed into the patient’s jawbone, meaning they require a healthy mouth and sufficient jawbone density. However, they offer numerous oral health benefits and can last for decades with ideal care. They can be outfitted with any sort of dental restoration based on the patient’s needs.
What are My Options?
Depending on your degree of tooth loss and your individual needs, there are a couple of different options to replace your missing teeth. Your dentist in Gahanna evaluates your oral health and discusses the results you want to achieve to choose the right option for you.
Partial Denture
If you are missing several teeth but still have a few healthy ones remaining, you may be a candidate for a partial denture. Prosthetic teeth are designed to match the appearance of your natural ones to blend in seamlessly when you smile. They are held in a gum-colored base that features a metal framework. This allows it to clip or clasp into your remaining teeth to hold it in place.
Full Denture
An entire arch of missing teeth is treated with a full denture. An impression of your mouth is taken to create an acrylic, gum-colored base to hold your prosthetic teeth. It is then held to your gum tissue using suction or an adhesive. Advanced technology is used to ensure the right fit to minimize any slipping or irritation. If you prefer a more permanent solution, ask Dr. Todd, Dr. Odenweller, or Dr. Buller about adding the security of dental implants to your smile.
What is the Process Like?
The process of replacing your teeth will take multiple appointments. After your initial consultation, you may need additional procedures before beginning the process, such as tooth extractions or periodontal therapy. After the foundation is set for your new smile, an impression of your mouth is taken to create a model of your denture. Several adjustments may need to be made before your permanent partial or denture is ready. With the right aftercare, your new smile can last for several years before needing to be replaced.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
If you have several or all of your teeth missing, then dentures may be the ideal solution for you. However, while these restorations come with many benefits, you might be wondering what to expect from the overall cost of your treatment. Since there is no set fee for this option, the only way to know how much you’ll have to pay is by scheduling a consultation with our team. We’ll assess your situation, provide you with an estimated price, and discuss your financing options to help you make a well-informed decision. Read on to learn more about the cost of dentures in Gahanna!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
Here are several aspects you’ll want to consider when determining the overall cost of your dentures:
- The severity of your tooth loss (e.g., replacing several teeth or an entire arch)
- The need for preliminary procedures, like gum disease therapy or tooth extractions
- The materials used to construct your restorations, such as acrylic or porcelain
When looking into the price, remember that cheaper isn’t always the best solution. Restorations made out of lower-grade materials might seem like money-savers, but they may end up costing you much more due to needing frequent replacements. Make sure to aim for quality!
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures are generally more expensive due to the oral surgery and placement of titanium posts in your jawbone. However, they do come with numerous incredible benefits for your oral health. Not only can they preserve your jawbone and retain a more youthful facial shape, but your results can also last around 15 years or more with proper care! They’re even more stable and lifelike compared to other restorations, allowing you to eat all your favorite foods comfortably without any accidental slippage.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Many dental insurance providers can offer coverage for the cost of your dentures. These restorations are considered “major” dental procedures, so they might have around 50% of the price covered. Every patient’s policy varies, however, so you’ll need to speak with your insurance company to learn the details of your plan. You can also speak with our knowledgeable team so that we can help walk you through your benefits at every step of the process.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Even if you don’t have dental insurance, you won’t have to be left completely on your own. We offer an in-house membership plan that can give you a 20% discount on dentures with a flat annual fee. Our team is also proud to work with CareCredit—a third-party financier that can break up the overall cost of your treatment into smaller monthly payments. Many of their plans also come with little-to-no interest! Call us if you think you’d benefit from these options, and we’ll be happy to help.
The Benefits of Dentures
Tooth loss can take a toll on your everyday life. Tasks you once found easy and second nature become challenging, like chewing your food, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence. Fortunately, dentures are available to give you your smile back and change your life! Here are just some of the benefits you can experience when you replace your missing teeth with dentures.
Psychological Benefits
It is often challenging for people who are missing all of their teeth to accept their tooth loss. This can lead to negative effects on social life and self-esteem, as well as a higher risk of experiencing sadness and depression. When you restore your smile with dentures, you can enjoy an increase in confidence. This reduces anxieties about appearance, speech articulation, chewing ability, and more!
Clearer Enunciation
Having gaps in your smile can make it more challenging to speak clearly. To pronounce your words, your lips and tongue need to be positioned properly. When you are missing teeth, your tongue cannot interact in the same way, and some words become very challenging to say. Since dentures replace your missing teeth, they can help you to pronounce your words more clearly while you speak. After a short adjustment period, you will be talking away just like you used to!
Improves Nutrition
Lots of the nutrient-dense foods that are good for your health are crunchy and tough in texture. This includes fruits, raw vegetables, and healthy proteins. If you cannot chew your food thoroughly because you’re missing teeth, this can lead to consequences, like indigestion and malnutrition. By being able to chew better, dentures can allow you to enjoy a more expansive diet. Ultimately, dentures can help you get the nutrients you need for your body to function as it should.
Preserves Oral Health
If you have some remaining natural teeth, getting dentures can help to keep them from moving around into the empty spaces. Dentures also help to support some of the weight of regular chewing. This reduces the wear and tear of your existing teeth.
Expands Opportunity
Making a good first impression is very important. This is especially the case when it comes to interviews, sales, and your social life. Your smile is one of the very first things that people notice about you, so having a complete smile will do nothing but help! Studies have found that the probability of being employed is negatively associated with having poor dental health.
Dentures Frequently Asked Question
Wondering what it’s like to get dentures in Gahanna or how your lifestyle will change? We want you to have as much information as possible so that you can always make good oral health decisions that you’re confident in. Here are a few questions that many people ask when they find out they’ll need false teeth in the near future.
How do I take care of my dentures?
While dentures aren’t natural teeth, it’s still important to clean them daily to remove any food and bacteria that’s accumulated. This prevents staining and potential oral health problems. The best method is to use a soft toothbrush to scrub every surface gently. Don’t use bleach or normal toothpaste that can discolor or damage the dentures; use an over-the-counter denture cleanser instead.
Never attempt to fix a broken denture by yourself. If the job is done incorrectly, it could cause soreness and problems chewing. Call us for an appointment instead; we’ll repair the damage and make any necessary adjustments. Sometimes the denture will need to be replaced altogether.
Can I sleep with my dentures in my mouth?
If you wear removeable dentures, it’s usually recommended to take them out at night to give your gums and jawbone a break from the constant pressure they’ve been under during the day. In general, you should never wear your dentures for a full 24 hours without, at the very least, performing proper oral hygiene. If there’s a special occasion that requires you to keep your false teeth in for longer than normal, set some time aside during the day for your routine cleaning.
Will I be able to eat normally with dentures?
You’ll need to learn how to chew with your dentures. After the initial adjustment period, you’ll be able to eat most foods normally. You might need some extra time to get used to chewing particularly hard or sticky foods. (Chewing gum should be avoided altogether since it can very easily cause a lot of hard-to-repair damage.) If you’re having trouble, you can use a denture adhesive to hold your false teeth in place.
How can I tell if my dentures no longer fit me properly?
Missing teeth cause your jawbone to break down gradually over time; as a result, there may come a time where your dentures no longer fit like they’re supposed to. Ill-fitting dentures are very uncomfortable and can cause pain in your gums that’s sometimes accompanied by bleeding. You may also feel them moving around, making it harder to speak and eat properly; sometimes there might be a clicking noise while chewing. Any of these problems should be taken as a sign that you should call us immediately so that we can make appropriate adjustments or order a replacement if necessary.
How long do dentures normally last?
Your dentures will need to be replaced eventually, whether it’s due to changes in the jawbone, irreparable damage, or simple wear and tear from regular use. Assuming you practice good maintenance and excellent oral hygiene, though, you can usually expect them to last for about five to eight years.
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