Hi, I'm Dr. Bryan DiMarco here at Renew Dental. We get a lot of questions about dentures, so today I'm here to answer a few of the most common questions that we get and hopefully give you a better understanding on the subject of dentures.
What are dentures?
Dentures are a dental prosthesis that's used to replace teeth in your mouth. Usually with dentures, they're either removable or sometimes they're a fixed denture, meaning that they stay in your mouth.
What type of dental professional would I see about getting dentures?
Dentures can be done by either a general dentist or you can also go to see a denturist to get a denture made.
When would a dentist recommend getting dentures?
Usually, I recommend getting dentures when a patient has multiple teeth that are missing and other options such as dental implants or bridges might either be too expensive or too time-consuming for that patient. A fallback option would be that we could make some dentures in order to replace their missing teeth.
What are some alternatives to dentures and when would each be most appropriate option?
The two other main options that we have to replace teeth would be doing dental implants or bridges. For a dental implant, a dental implant is usually going to be the best option that we have to replace missing teeth. They do have a few requirements in terms of needing enough bone in the area in order to actually place the dental implant and then the other part of it is finances. If both of those aren't an issue, though, dental implants provide the best option to replace teeth because they're fixed in your mouth and they're very similar to a natural tooth, which gives you the best use and function long term. They also have a great appearance as well, which can make them look very similar to natural teeth.
The other option that we have is doing a dental bridge. A dental bridge is a good option if we have teeth that have a lot of work on them and we have, say, two teeth with one missing tooth in the middle. The bridge can be placed to cover those two teeth while being connected to one in the middle to give you a replacement option for that tooth. A bridge, though, isn't a great option if your other teeth are relatively healthy because to put a bridge in place, we have to cut down those other teeth, which can lead to issues in those teeth as well. Bridges tend to need to be replaced a lot more often than an implant would.
What type of dentures are there?
There are two main types of dentures: complete dentures and partial dentures. Complete dentures, as the name suggests, mean that we're replacing all of the teeth with the denture. A partial denture means that we only have some teeth that are remaining, and we're going to be replacing the missing ones with that partial denture.
When it comes to complete dentures, we have a few different options. The first one is your traditional denture, which is a removable denture made out of acrylic. The next option we have is what's called an over denture. That means that we have a couple of implants in place that your denture clips onto. It can still be removed, but the implants add some added retention so that your denture doesn't come out. We typically use this for bottom dentures because they don't really fit that well. The last option we have is what's called a fixed denture or an All-on-X denture, which is a denture that's actually attached to multiple implants in your mouth and doesn't come out. With that type of denture, it's a great option in terms of replacing all of the teeth but does have quite a large price tag associated with it.
When it comes to partial dentures, we have two main types: acrylic partial dentures and cast metal partial dentures. Acrylic partial dentures are made out of plastic. We generally don't like to use these types of dentures because they don't tend to last very long term. We would use these dentures more in a situation where, say, someone is missing a single tooth and needs what's called a flipper denture, which is kind of like a temporary denture to replace a single tooth until they're ready to do a more permanent option like a dental implant. The other type of partial, which is more common, is the cast metal partial. The cast metal has a metal framework in it and then acrylic on top to look like natural teeth, but the metal provides a lot more strength to the denture, so it's a better option in terms of longevity to give you a good option to replace those missing teeth.
How are dentures made and what materials are used?
In terms of how dentures are made, they're made with appointments at our office and then also in conjunction with a dental laboratory. Usually, we'll have multiple appointments where we go through different stages of making the denture, and in between that, the laboratory will process the denture and get things ready for the next appointment, going through the sequence until we have the final product.
In terms of materials, the most common ones used are acrylic, which is the pink kind of plastic-looking material that you kind of think of when you think of a traditional denture. Then, the other one that I mentioned with partial dentures is that we will have some metal that's used to strengthen the structure of the denture and make it last longer.
What happens during the denture placement procedure?
This is going to vary depending on what type of denture you're getting, but if we're getting one of the more simple removable complete or partial dentures, usually during that appointment, we're just going to be trying it in, making adjustments to make sure it's comfortable on the gums. We're going to check the bite to make sure everything is lining up properly, and then lastly, we're going to check that you're happy with the appearance and that you're able to speak normally.
Is getting dentures painful?
The process of making dentures really is quite painless. It's really the getting the teeth removed that's the worst part, and usually, patients have already gone through that, so making dentures is usually a relatively simple process.
What anesthesia options will be available during the denture procedure?
During the denture-making process, it's a relatively simple procedure, and we generally don't have to give any anesthesia. The only time we would usually look into that is if later on we are placing some implants as well, then absolutely, we are going to give you some local anesthetic to freeze up the area. We can then talk about some sedation options as well, whether that's going to be an oral sedative or looking at something like some nitrous oxide gas sedation or laughing gas to make you as comfortable as possible.
What should I expect my dentures to look and feel like?
In terms of the look, we try to make them look as natural as possible. They are resin teeth, so there are limitations to how good they can look, but most of the time we can get quite a good result.
In terms of how they feel, for most patients, there is going to be a bit of an adjustment period when they first get their dentures. Usually, after a few weeks and a few adjustments, generally, we can get the dentures to fit quite well and be fairly comfortable. There are some patients, though, that don't like the feeling of the extra material in their mouth, and for those patients, that's where the options of a dental implant or a bridge would probably be a better option for them.
Is it more difficult to speak with dentures?
When we're first getting used to dentures, for the first few weeks, it is very common that patients can have a bit of a lisp. As they get used to wearing the dentures and the muscles in their face get used to having dentures in their mouth, generally that lisp is going to go away and it isn't a long-term issue.
Will having dentures affect my ability to eat and drink regularly?
In terms of having dentures versus not having them at all, they should significantly increase your ability to eat and chew. When you're missing multiple teeth, it can be very difficult to actually properly chew and digest your food.
In terms of the dentures themselves, they do have some limitations. With partial dentures, usually, we're pretty good at eating most types of foods because we have the support of the other teeth, so that denture is pretty solid in the mouth. When it comes to complete dentures, sometimes you do need to be careful in terms of the foods you're eating. When we're eating foods in the front of the complete dentures, that can cause them to tip out, so kind of chewing into an apple or a steak may be a little bit difficult. For most patients, as long as they chew with the back teeth and maybe cut it into some smaller pieces, they generally don't have too much trouble with eating.
What is the best way to clean and care for your dentures?
When you go to brush your teeth at night or if you don't have any teeth when you're taking out your denture, you can clean it with a denture brush and some water. If you want to clean it a little bit more, you can also use a bit of hand soap as well. We always tell patients never to use toothpaste on your dentures because it does have abrasives in it that can scratch up the denture and make little scratches in it long term.
What I would then recommend is that overnight you soak it in a denture cleaner so that in the morning when you wake up and you've brushed your teeth or cleaned out your mouth, your dentures are ready to go for the day.
What special care should I take for my mouth and gums after getting dentures?
Once you have your dentures, one of the main things is that you take it out at night. We don't want to leave the dentures in all the time because that can cause the tissues to get quite irritated, and they need time to rest every day. Taking them out at night provides adequate rest for those tissues. The other thing that you should do is make sure that you do continue your regular visits to the dentist.
If we have a partial denture, we still have teeth left that we need to make sure we clean and keep healthy, because if we end up losing some of them, the partial may no longer fit, and then we might need to get a new one. For complete dentures, a lot of patients think, okay, I have my complete dentures, I don't need to go back to the dentist, but we still need to see you every six months to make sure that we can look at your mouth, make sure all the tissues are healthy, make sure there's no signs of oral cancer, and make sure those dentures are fitting properly.
The issue with dentures is because they're sitting on your gums, and they are going to cause your bone to resorb or shrink over time. If the denture isn't fitting properly, that can actually make that resorption happen much more quickly. We want to make sure that the denture is fitting properly and that we can do what's called a reline, which is adding material to that denture before it becomes a bigger issue and we have to remake your denture.
How long will dentures last?
With dentures, they do need to be replaced on a fairly frequent basis. Generally, I will tell patients they're going to last probably anywhere from about 5 to 7 years before we need to make you a new pair.
What if my dentures need restoration, replacement, or repair?
If you need a repair to your denture, you can let us know. We'll get you in, and generally, most issues are fixable. We just need to take an impression of the denture, send it to the lab, and they can usually get it back to us the next day, and we can make a repair. If the damage is too significant and we can't fix it, then yes, we can talk about making you a new pair. Generally, that is going to involve all the same steps that we had to do for the first one, but there are a few scenarios where we might be able to make it a little bit quicker.
How long will it take for my mouth to heal and get used to dentures?
Generally, the first two to three weeks are when you're going to be getting used to these dentures, and everything is adapting to those dentures. With dentures, it's very common that you will get some sores that develop, and all you have to do is let us know. We'll get you in for an adjustment, and usually, after a few adjustments, the dentures are fitting comfortably, and you're good to go.
What is the cost of dentures and will insurance help pay for them?
With dentures, the cost does vary quite widely depending on what type of denture you're getting. The general range for complete dentures would be roughly $1,400 to about $1,700. With partial dentures, because of the metal, usually about $1,700 to about $2,000 per denture. When we start looking at the other types of dentures, such as the one with implants, the cost does rise significantly and varies on an individual basis depending on how many implants are needed.
In terms of insurance, dentures are considered a major treatment, and some insurances do cover it, but at a lesser percentage than your normal basic treatment such as cleanings and fillings. There are some out there that will not cover it, so again, if you're interested in dentures, bring in your insurance, and we'll try to help you navigate that as best as possible.
Alright, well, I hope I was able to answer some of your questions about dentures. If you do have any other questions or you are interested in looking into dentures, feel free to give us a call at (204) 817-6768, and we'd be happy to help you.
Embrace a Worry-Free Smile with Dentures at Renew Dental!
Dentures are used to give you a beautiful smile and restore the function of your mouth. You can chew, speak clearly, eat properly, and take part in all the activities you enjoy without worrying about your teeth.
Benefits of Dentures
- Perfect solution for those who have lost their natural teeth or prefer non-invasive dental procedures.
- Affordable, easy to care for, and comfortable to wear.
- Ability to replace multiple teeth with one easy solution.
- Eliminate gaps in the smile for a more complete and natural look.
- Improve chewing and speaking ability.
- Restore confidence in social interaction and public speaking by eliminating appearance concerns
- Cost-effective option for tooth replacement.
- Rejuvenate appearance, particularly with complete dentures that address facial tissue collapse.