Dentures are customized, removable dental prosthetics that replace missing or damaged teeth. Dentures stabilize and support the gum and jawline, ensuring the patient doesn’t develop additional health problems because of gaps or missing teeth. They are an affordable way to improve your smile and prevent future oral health problems with your jaw and oral tissue that can arise from missing teeth.
At Monarch Dental, we believe everyone deserves the confidence of a full, healthy smile. We understand that life happens, and we never judge our patients on the condition of their oral health. It doesn’t matter how or why you are missing teeth; Monarch Dental provides the caring and compassionate denture services you need to rediscover your beautiful smile.
While the process of fitting or implanting dentures may be uncomfortable at first, they are worth the long-term benefits of having full functionality of your mouth and jaws. If you are missing teeth, dentures can:
All kinds of people need dentures for all kinds of reasons, from accidents and injuries to dental complications or broader health conditions. Dentists may recommend dentures for people with:
Dentures can be partial or complete, conventional or implant-supported. There are a variety of factors that dictate the best solution; the dental professionals at Monarch Dental will work with you to help determine which is right for you.
Both conventional and implant-supported dentures offer customized prosthetic solutions for your missing teeth. While implant-supported dentures are more intensive–requiring surgery and a healing period–they are a permanent tooth replacement option, as opposed to conventional dentures, which can be removed.
Conventional dentures typically start with a prosthodontist, a specialized dentist who focuses on oral prostheses and fittings. First, your prosthodontist makes an impression of your gums and jawline, which is used to create a special, custom-fit cast of artificial teeth. A special cast is then made with this special impression material through a lengthy process. This can be a lengthy process, so while your dentures are being made, your prosthodontist will have you try on different sets of dentures to select the correct materials for gum color, tooth color, comfort and any other preferences that you may have. This is called the “fitting.” When your dentures arrive–typically within a few weeks–you’ll visit the dentist again to try the dentures on and have them adjusted.
Implant-supported dentures require a more involved process of surgery and healing before you’ll be ready for the dentures themselves. The process begins with a consultation with your dentist to take an x-ray of your jawbone and gumline to ensure your bones are strong enough to withstand implant surgery. Once cleared, your dentist will schedule your surgery, during which 4 or more tiny screws will be implanted into your jawbone to serve as tooth roots and support the dentures. Your mouth will need 3-6 months after this surgery to heal, during which you’ll likely have a temporary denture that your dentist creates ahead of time to cover the surgical sites and allow you to maintain a normal diet. Once you have healed, your dentist will design a more permanent customized denture that will be placed directly–and permanently–onto the tops of the implants.
Patience and diligence are both required during the initial adjustment period to make sure you feel completely comfortable with your brand-new smile. You may still need to eat foods that are gentle on your gums for the first few days, and you will likely experience an initial increase in saliva and sore spots where your dentures sit on your gums. Your speaking may also be temporarily affected by your dentures. With time, however, you and your mouth will adjust to the new dentures and will soon be functioning normally. These few inconveniences at the outset are more than worth it for a healthy, beautiful smile.
Taking care of your oral health with dentures is also extremely important and with the prescribed care from your dentist, your dentures can last many years. Annual trips to your prosthodontist are a must to ensure you have the fit of your dentures evaluated and adjusted. To ensure you’re smiling brighter and longer with your dentures, be sure to:
A partial or complete set of dentures are typically covered by most dental insurance plans. A complete set of dentures can cost several thousand dollars, while a partial set of dentures may range between $1,000 and $2,500. If your individual case requires implant-retained dentures, the cost could be higher than it is for removable dentures. However, every patient is different, and prices can vary, so be sure to consult with your Monarch Dental location for exact costs and insurance coverage.
If you’re ready to smile with confidence again, let Monarch Dental’s trained and caring dental professionals help determine if dentures are right for you. We accept most major dental insurance plans and offer flexible payment and financing options, including our own OneSmile Dental Plan, for more options to afford the care you deserve. Don’t wait another day wondering if your life would be better with dentures; schedule an appointment today at your nearest Monarch Dental location.