Dentures - Murphy, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

Numerous things can potentially cause tooth loss, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and physical trauma. Regardless of the reason for it, leaving your situation unaddressed can lead to certain negative consequences for both your mouth and your overall well-being. Since there’s a lack of tooth roots in the jawbone, your bone tissue can begin to shrink, which can then cause any remaining natural teeth to shift out of place or come out later on. This can then lead to issues with facial sagging, difficulty chewing, and trouble speaking clearly, which can also significantly impact your self-confidence and mental health.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Whether you’ve lost one, most, or all of your teeth, dentures can be a viable option for rebuilding your smile. However, we’ll need to ensure that your oral health is in great shape before moving forward with your treatment. Any underlying or growing issues, such as decay or gum disease, that aren’t treated firsthand can be problematic later on. You’ll also need to be committed to practicing good oral hygiene every day as well as scheduling routine checkups with your dentist biannually, that way you can maintain your prosthetics for as long as possible while preserving your oral health.

Dentures are also an incredibly cost-effective method for restoring your bite. This means you’ll be able to regain the benefits of a full smile without having to break the bank. We’ll also review your situation to determine the kind of denture that’ll be best for you, such as a partial or full one.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you aren’t eligible for dentures, we can offer alternative ways to replace your missing teeth. A couple of our other tooth-replacement options include:

• Dental bridges – People who are missing one or three teeth consecutively may find it best to replace them with a dental bridge. This restoration bridges the space in your smile via pontics linking to two dental crowns, which are supported by adjacent abutment teeth on either side of the gap.
• Dental implants – We can completely rebuild your missing teeth from the roots up with dental implants. By embedding titanium posts into your jawbone, you can enjoy a much more lifelike and longer-lasting restoration that’ll look and feel exactly like your natural pearly whites. Though they come with a higher upfront value, the results can easily go for several decades to a lifetime with proper care.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are comprised of two different parts. Here is what each one consists of.

• Base: The base of the denture is the structure that supports the replacement teeth. It can be made from a variety of different materials, including acrylic, nylon, and resin. Most of the time, acrylic is used because it can be easily tailored to match your natural gum tissue. Partial dentures may use metal clips with an acrylic base.
• Teeth: The replacement teeth are attached to the denture base. They are usually made from resin or porcelain because they both have a natural appearance. However, porcelain is more popular because it looks and feels just like natural tooth enamel. It is also very durable.

The Denture Creation Process

Dentures are custom-made for each patient. Here is how it works.

1. Your dentist will start by taking measurements of your jaw and impressions of your mouth. This way, a model can be created to match the exact size and shape of your mouth. This model will be used to ensure that your final denture perfectly fits your unique smile.
2. The model is sent to a dental laboratory. This is where your dentures will be made. They will begin by creating a wax replica of your gumline.
3. The replacement teeth will be set in place using a mechanical device called an “articulator.” Adjustments are then made by the technician.
4. Your wax dentures will be sent back to the dental office for a fitting. If they look good, your dentist will return them to the dental lab.
5. Once back at the lab, the technician will place your dentures in a flask. Plaster is poured in to maintain their shape. The entire flask is placed in hot water to melt away the wax portions.
6. Holes are made in the teeth and acrylic is injected into the flask to replace the wax.
7. The plaster is carefully removed from the denture using special tools. The dentures are placed in an ultrasonic bath to clean the rest of the plaster off.
8. Excess acrylic is cut from the denture. Then, it is polished to perfection.
9. Now that the denture is complete, it will be sent back to your dentist. You will return to the practice for a fitting. If everything looks and feels great, you can now enjoy the benefits of your new smile.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It’s common for patients to experience slight soreness and discomfort when they first get their dentures, but this is completely normal and temporary. With some time, your mouth will adjust, and your dentures will start to feel like natural teeth. Remember to stick to softer foods and exercise your facial muscles during this time. If discomfort persists or you have any concerns about your new dentures, don’t hesitate to give us a call so we can help.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

Multiple considerations can influence the price of dentures in Murphy, including:

• Any work needed beforehand like tooth extractions or periodontal therapy
• The number of teeth you’re missing
• The type of acrylic used for the base (part that is dyed to match color of gum tissue)
• The materials your denture will be made of (usually porcelain or acrylic)

Is cost a priority? If so, you may be tempted to opt for cheaper dentures. Even though the upfront cost is certainly lower, they tend to break easily and require replacement much sooner than you’d expect. That’s why quality should always be of utmost importance, regardless of the cost. 

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Yes, implant dentures are generally more expensive than traditional ones. However, there’s a good explanation for that. They require oral surgery and the placement of multiple dental implants, making them more reliable for everyday use since they do not shift out of place. Many patients discover this method of tooth replacement is well worth the investment because of several tremendous benefits.

Not only do implants stimulate the jawbone, but they can last decades or even a lifetime with proper care and maintenance with help from your denture dentist in Murphy. That means you won’t have to worry about replacing your dentures nearly as often!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Dentures are considered a major procedure which is why most dental insurance plans will cover approximately 50 percent of their cost. Certainly, every policy is unique, meaning the amount of coverage provided will vary from patient to patient. If you have any questions about your plan, contact your insurance provider or ask our dental team for assistance. We will gladly review the details of your policy and do everything possible to maximize your benefits and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

We understand not everyone has dental insurance which is why we offer other ways to make your dental bills much easier to manage. With CareCredit Financing, you can split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly monthly installments. Options even come with little-to-no interest!

We also have an in-house discount plan that offers, among other benefits, a 20 percent discount on treatments like dentures. Last but not least, if you do not have dental insurance – after an exam and cleaning, you can get $199 off any dental treatment!

Ready to begin down the path to a beautiful, complete smile? Contact us today to schedule a consultation so we can answer any questions you might have.

Removeable Dentures

Remove After Eating

Dentures can restore your ability to eat nutritious foods and improve your digestive health. However, it’s important to keep them clean just like your natural teeth. Oftentimes food particles and bacteria can stick to your prosthetic, so it’s a good idea to take it out after every meal for a rinse. Be sure to only use cold or room temperature water for this as hot water can warp the acrylic base and cause an improper fit.

Clean Your Restoration

While simply rinsing after meals can improve the freshness of your denture, it still needs to be thoroughly cleaned along with your gums and any remaining teeth you have. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of unscented hand soap or denture cleanser (not toothpaste) to clean every surface of your prosthetic.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

While dentures can stand up to consistent chewing and biting, the materials they’re made of can be damaged in other ways. Be sure to store your prosthetic properly when you’re not using it to keep it safe. While keeping them in a glass of water is fine, if you have pets or children, you might need to invest in a storage case. Additionally, when you’re cleaning them or putting them in, try to do so over a nice plush towel to prevent dropping them directly on a hard surface.

Remove When You Sleep

Be sure to remove your denture each night before you go to bed. This will ensure that your gum tissues aren’t becoming irritated from friction or lack of circulation. Sleeping in dentures has been linked to higher risks of pneumonia and increased levels of bacterial plaque in the mouth. So, leaving them to soak overnight not only keeps them clean, but also increases your overall well-being.

Notice Changes

Be vigilant when it comes to noticing the way your dentures look or feel. If they become warped or damaged, they can not only be uncomfortable to wear, but also increase your risk for oral health hazards like gum disease. If you notice that your dentures are consistently uncomfortable or unstable, call Dr. Gandhi for a consultation.

All-on-4 Dentures

All-on-4 Dentures are a permanent and fixed solution for tooth loss that can be cared for a bit more like natural teeth. When brushing, you may use a bland toothpaste with no abrasive chemicals such as baking soda or whitening agents. All-on-4 Dentures also need to be flossed, so ensure this is done at least once per day. If you’re having trouble doing this properly, consider a water flosser to improve your routine. For added freshness, you can rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash daily to help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.

Can You Still Eat Steak with Dentures?

Steak and other tough meats can be difficult to chew when you have dentures, so it’s best to enjoy them in moderation. With that being said, it’s still manageable to eat steak with dentures as long as you take the right precautions. For example, ensure that the meat is thoroughly tenderized first, as that will make it softer and less likely to strain your dentures. Additionally, remember to cut your steak into tiny, bite-sized pieces beforehand; smaller bite of food are generally easier to chew.

Should I Have All of My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?

In some cases, one or more irreparably damaged teeth will need to be removed prior to denture placement. Otherwise, these teeth could pose a threat to your oral health. However, if you only have a small number of natural teeth left on an arch, you might be tempted to have all of them extracted so that you can receive a full denture instead of a partial denture. We generally recommend against doing this.

Even though today’s dentures are incredibly lifelike, they still don’t compare to your home-grown teeth. It’s always best to try and repair a tooth when possible rather than extract and replace it. Before beginning any procedures, your denture dentist in Murphy will review all of your options and recommend whether it’s better to remove your remaining teeth to get dentures.

Can I Sleep with My Dentures?

Wearing dentures all day exerts pressure on your gums, which may restrict circulation and lead to irritation if the tissue doesn’t have the chance to rest. That’s why we generally suggest that you take out your dentures before going to bed. Overnight, your gums will have the opportunity to regain the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong enough to support your dentures the following day.

When you remove your dentures at night, never let them dry out. Doing so could cause them to change shape, making them not fit correctly or comfortably anymore. Instead, let them soak in denture cleaning solution or lukewarm/cold water (hot water could also warp the prosthetic).

Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?

In addition to soaking your dentures overnight, you’ll need to brush and rinse them several times each day – preferably after every meal and snack. However, do not use toothpaste to clean your dentures. Toothpaste is actually abrasive to the materials most dentures are made from, so it could damage your prosthetic over time. Instead, gently clean your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dishwashing liquid, hand soap, or a specialized denture cleanser.