Dentures – Kent, WA

Effects of Missing Teeth

Multiple missing teeth or the absence of an entire arch does more than just cause problems with your ability to eat and speak. It can also lower your self-confidence and cause you to exhibit mental and emotional decline as well.

When you dislike the way you look, it will manifest in how you view yourself, how and when you surround yourself with others, and how you take care of your overall health and well-being.

Without proper treatment, missing teeth can begin to create problems throughout your body that only worsen over time (i.e., malnutrition, worn tooth enamel, etc.).

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

The qualifications for dentures are that you be in good overall health. You may be missing multiple consecutive or non-consecutive teeth along an arch, or you may be without any natural teeth. No matter the situation, our team will discuss your medical history and determine if you have any existing oral health problems that must first be addressed, such as tooth decay or gum disease.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

While full and partial dentures are one of the more popular go-to solutions for tooth loss, many patients find that alternative options are also available. It may be that you would rather not have a temporary prosthetic but instead a permanent one. Or you’re only missing one or two teeth and would prefer a dental bridge as opposed to a partial denture.

Here are a few options you can expect your dentist to suggest as viable alternatives to dentures:

• Dental Bridges – A dental bridge replicates the look of a complete smile, and it allows you to eat the foods you love and speak with greater confidence. Using abutment teeth as anchors to hold it in place, the two dental crowns are made to fit over these teeth, while artificial pontics rest on top of the gums to effectively bridge the gap.
• Dental Implants –Viewed as the gold standard of tooth replacement because of how they fuse with bone tissues and replace the roots of teeth, dental implants maintain a longer lifespan than traditional solutions like dentures or dental bridges. Capable of lasting 30+ years, they offer maximum support and can address all types of tooth loss.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures consist of two main parts:

• The base of dentures is typically constructed of a gum-colored acrylic, which is aesthetically pleasing and tends to be comfortable against the gum tissues. With partial dentures, the acrylic base has small acrylic or metal clips that help it to attach to nearby teeth. In some cases, nylon or resin is used in place of acrylic to create a denture base.
• The teeth of dentures are usually made of acrylic or porcelain. Acrylic is softer, so it is the material of choice for patients who still have some of their natural teeth. Porcelain is often the best option for full-mouth tooth replacement.

The Denture Creation Process

The denture creation process involves several steps:

• After any necessary extractions are completed, our team takes detailed impressions of your gums. We use digital technology so you will not have to deal with the mess and discomfort of old-fashioned manual impressions.
• We send your impressions and important design notes to a dental lab, which will create a wax version of your gumline and place artificial teeth in it.
• The wax version of your denture gets sent to our practice, and you return to our office for a fitting. Thereafter, we continue to coordinate with the lab to make sure your prosthetic meets our high quality standards. After your dentures are made, they get trimmed and polished to perfection.
• When your denture is ready, you return for a final fitting. If any minor adjustments are necessary, we take care of them. Otherwise, you can go off and begin to adapt to your beautiful new smile.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

When you first receive your new dentures, they might feel strange or even uncomfortable in your mouth. Do not worry. An adjustment period is necessary. You may need to practice in order to speak clearly and eat easily. Most patients find that within a matter of months, their dentures feel like a natural extension of their body. If you have persistent problems with adapting to life as a denture-wearer, give us a call. We might need to fine-tune your prosthetic so it fits a bit better.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

Every mouth is unique, just like your fingerprints. A one-size-fits-all prosthetic would be uncomfortable and look unnatural, which is why your denture dentist in Kent takes the time to create a personalized strategy to restore your smile. While every plan differs, you can expect your estimate to include each step in your treatment, such as:

• Preparatory Treatments: Some patients need a little prep-work before getting their new teeth, like tooth extractions or periodontal therapy.
• Type of Denture: You have several options to treat significant tooth loss. The method you choose will affect the price.
• Materials: You’ll find many discounted materials, but you’ll get what you pay for. Instead of the price tag, focus on quality to ensure you are satisfied with your new smile.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Many patients are choosing dental implants to support their denture because it creates a nearly perfect replica of real teeth. An implant denture costs more initially, but it’s the most affordable solution long-term. Unlike traditional prosthetics, dental implants can last for 30 years or longer with the proper maintenance. You’ll never have to pay for replacements. Since an implant denture recreates the roots of your teeth, it preserves your jawbone to improve your oral health. You’ll avoid the fees of common treatments needed to correct issues caused by missing teeth. Dental implants will preserve your smile while cutting your oral health expenses.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Many dental insurances offer coverage for dentures in Kent. You can use your dental insurance to offset the cost of certain steps in your treatment, like the consultation, tooth extractions, or restorations. We know dental insurance is confusing, but you don’t have to navigate your policy alone. A member of our team will file the required forms to maximize your annual benefits to lower the amount you’ll pay.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Besides using your dental insurance, we offer multiple methods to cover any out-of-pocket fees, such as:

• Traditional Payments: We accept all forms of traditional payments, including cash, checks, and credit cards.
• Patient Specials: We routinely offer new patient specials for many services, including dental implants. Ask us about any current specials to save money on your new smile.
• Third-Party Financing: You can pay for dentures using monthly installments through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.

We are transparent about our fees and services, so you won’t be surprised by any unexpected bills. If you have questions about your payment options, or you’re ready to schedule your denture consultation, contact our dental office today.

Psychological Benefits

It can be a challenge for people who are missing teeth to accept their tooth loss. This can ultimately 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 much more!

Clearer Enunciation

When you have gaps in your smile, it can make it more challenging to speak clearly. To be able to perform your words, your lips and tongue need to be positioned properly. When you’re missing teeth, the tongue is not able to interact with them, so some words become very difficult to say clearly. Because dentures replace the missing teeth, they can help you to pronounce your words while you speak. After a short adjustment period, you will be talking away just like you used to!

Improves Nutrition

A lot of nutrient-dense foods that you need to be healthy are tough in texture. This includes healthy proteins, fruits, and vegetables. If you are unable to chew your food thoroughly due to tooth loss, this can negatively impact the way you eat, ultimately leading to indigestion and malnutrition.  By gaining the ability to chew your food better, dentures can help you enjoy a more expansive diet. In the end, dentures aid you in getting the nutrients you need for your body to function.

Preserves Oral Health

If you still have some healthy teeth remaining in your mouth, getting dentures can help to keep them in better shape. By taking the places of your missing teeth, they can prevent your natural teeth from shifting around. Dentures also help to support the weight of regular chewing, limiting the wear and tear of your existing teeth.

Expands Opportunities

Making a good first impression is very important when it comes to interviews, sales, and social situations. Your smile is one of the very first things that people notice about you, so having one that appears to be healthy and complete will do nothing but help in these situations. In fact, studies have found that the probability of being employed is negatively associated with having poor dental health.

Removeable Dentures

Remove After Eating

After each of your meals, you should remove and rinse off your dentures. This helps to prevent the buildup of food debris and plaque. When rinsing your dentures, you shouldn’t use hot water. This can

Clean Your Restoration

When it’s time to clean your dentures, you should remove them from your mouth. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of unscented hand soap, mild dish soap, or denture cleanser, gently brush your dentures. You shouldn’t use regular toothpaste because it is too abrasive. If you aren’t going to be wearing your dentures again right away, put them in a container of water or denture-cleansing solution so they don’t dry out and lose their shape. Remember to always thoroughly rinse your dentures before placing them back into your mouth.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

When you clean your dentures, you may want to place a towel beneath them just in case they slip out of your hands. This will reduce the probability of them becoming damaged. When you aren’t wearing your dentures, be sure to keep them in a place that is inaccessible to pets and small children.

Remove When You Sleep

It is best to take your dentures out before you go to sleep. Wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft-tissue irritation. Sleeping with dentures has also been associated with a higher risk of pneumonia as well as higher levels of gum and tongue plaque. Overnight, keep your dentists in a denture-soaking solution. If you let your dentures dry out, they can lose their shape.

Notice Changes

You should always be on the lookout for changes so you can address them with your dentist. This includes mouth sores, gum irritation, and signs of infection. If your dentures become damaged, you shouldn’t attempt to repair them on your own. You could accidentally damage them further. Instead, give us a call so we can help.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

Caring for all-on-4 dental implants works a little bit differently. You should brush your dentures twice a day using a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss your replacement teeth once a day. You can find floss threaders to help you floss beneath your denture. You may want to consider investing in a water flosser to keep your restoration and implants clean. Another great step is to rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash daily. This way, your smile will be extra fresh.