Dentures – Glastonbury, CT
Extensive Tooth Loss? Dentures Save the Day!
For hundreds of years, people have used dentures in some form or another to replace missing teeth and improve their oral function and health. In fact, George Washington’s dentures have become a common historical talking point! (They were made of ivory, not wood!) While his dentures were made from a variety of heavy and not necessarily comfortable or attractive materials, the modern dentures and partials we can craft for you at Glastonbury Dental Associates will work well for your comfort, appearance, function, and budget!
Why Choose Glastonbury Dental Associates for Dentures?
- Fully Customized for Best Comfort and Function
- Affordable and Transparent Financing
- Team-Based Care for Best Possible Outcome
Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
So many people throughout the country are dealing with tooth loss. Dentures are an excellent solution for anyone who is missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. No one wants to have to worry about eating, speaking, or smiling with ease. Depending on the number of teeth that you are missing and where they’re located in your mouth, a personalized plan can be made just for you. As long as you have all preexisting oral health issues taken care of ahead of time, we can work towards replacing your smile with dentures!
Types of Dentures
There are a few different types of dentures. During your initial consultation with us, we will help to determine which one will best restore the appearance and function of your smile:
Partial Dentures
If a dental bridge isn’t enough to restore your smile, a partial denture could be the answer. They are customized to fit perfectly in your mouth between your remaining teeth. Partial dentures replace teeth in different locations of the mouth and keep neighboring teeth from shifting around and causing misalignment issues.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are supported by the shape of your mouth and the natural suction of your gums. They are used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth with a single restoration. Whether your denture is replacing the top or bottom arch, it is crafted to have a lifelike gum-colored based and enamel-colored set of replacement teeth. This way, you are left with a perfectly natural-looking smile!
Implant Dentures
For a more stable, long-lasting denture, dental implant dentures may the answer. After placing a series of dental implants throughout the jawbone and attaching a customized restoration, you can expect 70% of your natural chewing function to be stored. This denture is design to last for decades with proper maintenance and care, so you don’t need to worry about having any alterations made to your dentures or having them replaced throughout the years. However, it is important that you have a strong jawbone to support them. We will discuss if you are a good candidate during your consultation.
The Benefits of Dentures
Why should you replace missing teeth with a denture or partial? For one thing, these dental prosthetics can help you avoid the oral health problems that arise from missing teeth. For another, they can help you maintain proper function and a more natural facial shape. Also, dentures are generally the most affordable option for replacing teeth, and some health complications can make other forms of replacement impossible.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
With virtually all types of dental work, price is a major deciding factor for most patients, and dentures are no exception. When you visit our office for a tooth replacement consultation, our dentists can go over the variables that impact the cost of dentures in Glastonbury, as well as your financing options. After this appointment, you’ll have a clearer idea of what to expect in terms of paying for your new smile.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
Each of our dentures is custom-made to meet a patient’s individual needs and preferences, so it’s difficult for us to give you an accurate cost estimate until we’ve gone over your situation. For example, the price may be influenced by:
- Any prep work you need (such as gum disease treatment or tooth extractions)
- The number of teeth you’re replacing
- The materials your denture will be crafted from (generally porcelain or acrylic)
It’s worth noting that just because a denture is inexpensive doesn’t necessarily make it the wisest option. Many cheaply made dentures fall apart easily or cause discomfort. Since you’re going to be using your prosthetic every single day to speak, eat, and smile, it’s worth investing in high-quality dentures in Glastonbury.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures cost more upfront, as you have to pay for several dental implants as well as their surgical placement in the jaw. However, our patients with implant dentures will tell you that they’re worth every penny!
Because dental implants are firmly embedded in the jawbone, you can count on your new teeth to stay in place without needing denture adhesive. The implants also provide you with greater chewing strength, helping you bite crunchier foods more easily. Not to mention, implant dentures can last for 30+ years, while conventional dentures typically last for five to seven years before they need replacement. So, while implant dentures cost more initially, they might actually save you money in the long term!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
If you have dental insurance, you can typically expect some degree of coverage when it comes to dentures. Many plans provide up to 50% coverage for dentures, but the details will of course vary from one plan to the next.
At Glastonbury Dental Associates, we’ll gladly file claims for most dental insurance plans, but we’re in-network with:
- Delta Dental
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- United Healthcare
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If you’re currently uninsured, or your plan doesn’t cover as much as you need it to, your denture dentist in Glastonbury has other ways of making dentures affordable. For example, we provide third-party financing through our partnership with CareCredit. Qualified patients can split up their treatment costs into manageable monthly chunks, often with low to no interest!
Dentures FAQs
Dentures are a lifechanging tooth replacement option, but it pays to be well informed before committing to them. Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we receive about dentures in Glastonbury. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. We’d be happy to answer your questions and set you up for an initial consultation. Just give us a call !
Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?
Repairing a damaged tooth when possible is always a preferred option to replacing it. Tooth extractions of any kind will only ever be recommended if deemed absolutely necessary, like when a tooth is too damaged to save thanks to extensive decay, severe infection, or trauma that has broken off most of the enamel. If all of the teeth in an arch are decayed or infected with gum disease, replacing them with dentures may be a viable option, but your dentist will always explore all other solutions before making this recommendation.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
Dentists will generally recommend that you take your dentures out at night when you go to bed. When you first get your dentures, you will likely be told to keep them in your mouth for 24 hours, including when you sleep. After this, you should take them out every evening. This is because dentures restrict the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. Taking dentures out gives the gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need. The dark, moist space beneath the dentures has also been found to be associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. Ultimately, it is best to take out your dentures while you catch some Z’s.
Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?
If you need to have teeth extracted before getting dentures, you are likely to experience some discomfort after the oral surgery. Take recommended over-the-counter and prescribed medication as directed. The discomfort should improve three to five days after the procedure. When you first get new dentures, minor irritation may occur as your mouth adjusts to the new appliance. If you are switching to a new set of dentures, this adjustment process may take longer than before. If pain persists, give us a call so we can help
Can You Still Eat Steak with Dentures?
Tougher meats like steak are often difficult to chew with dentures, but it’s still possible to do so if you take the right precautions. Select tenderloin and other beef cuts that don’t contain as many connective tissues or muscle fibers. Ensure that the meat is thoroughly tenderized beforehand. Cut your steak into small, manageable pieces. The smaller they are, the easier they will be for you to chew with your dentures.
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
When you first get dentures, it will take some time to get used to speaking with them since your tongue isn’t accustomed to the restoration. The amount of time it will take to adjust to your new dentures will vary from person to person, but generally, the more you practice, the faster that adjustment process goes. Try reading out loud to yourself and repeating difficult-to-pronounce words. Speak slowly as first, as fast speech can come out muffled if you aren’t used to talking with dentures.
Why Do My Dentures Smell?
Bacteria can become trapped in different areas of your dentures, especially if they aren’t fitting as well as they should and are allowing food particles to get beneath them. Ill-fitting dentures can irritate soft gum tissue as well, leading to sores and infections that contribute to bad breath. Denture wearers tend to produce less saliva, which leads to a dry mouth, allowing harmful bacteria to thrive and cause bad breath. To avoid this, clean your dentures every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and specialized cleaner. Brush your gums, tongue, cheeks, and palate as well. Soak your dentures in a disinfecting solution each night and give them a rinse after every meal to keep them fresh.
Will Dentures Change the Shape of My Face?
When you lose your teeth, your facial muscles will begin to sag and can give your face a sunken appearance. Getting dentures helps to provide support to facial muscles that have collapsed and can improve your appearance. Ill-fitting dentures might not give your facial muscles the support they need, so be sure that you head to the dental office if you don’t think your restoration is fitting correctly.
What is the Average Age for Dentures?
Tooth loss can affect anyone, but it does become more common among older patients. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 66% of people between the ages of 40 and 64 are missing at least one tooth, while only 33% of adults aged 20 to 39 are affected by tooth loss. The need for false teeth gradually increases while you age, but people of all ages can potentially be candidates for dentures. The American Dental Association reports that nearly 57% of people aged 65 to 74 wear some form of denture.