Whether you’re missing just a few teeth or an entire arch of pearly whites, it makes it hard to enjoy some of the basic aspects of life. Chewing, speaking, and even smiling confidently can become near-impossible feats if you’re missing teeth. That’s why, at Sunny Smile Dental, we offer a solution to give you back your smile – dentures. Your dentist in Dallas, Dr. Sung-Hee Lee, can place a full, partial, or implant-retained denture, depending on your individual smile needs. Keep reading down below to learn more about what types of dentures are available, your candidacy for dentures, and more.
At Sunny Smile Dental, we offer three different types of dentures to rebuild your smile:
Full dentures are typically what you imagine when thinking of dentures. They are made of an entire arch of prosthetic porcelain teeth attached to a gum-colored base made of acrylic. This base sits on top of the gums and remains in place due to a natural suction against the gums. It can also be held in place by applying a little denture adhesive cream if necessary. For patients who are missing all of their teeth on either their top or bottom arch, we highly recommend a full denture to allow them to enjoy speaking and eating to the fullest again.
If you are only missing a few teeth, we may suggest a partial denture. Also known simply as partials, partial dentures usually consist of a metal framework onto which as many prosthetic teeth as you need are attached. Typically, partials are held in place by using metal clasps that hook onto your remaining natural teeth, so there is normally no need for denture adhesive.
For patients who are missing either some or all of their teeth, we can anchor a denture into place with dental implants. Instead of placing an implant for every single missing tooth, Dr. Lee can install four to six of these titanium posts at strategic angles throughout your jaw, onto which a full or partial denture can be fixed. The denture can be either permanent or removable, depending on your personal preference. Because implants eventually fuse with the jawbone, they have the potential to last several times longer than conventional full or partial dentures, which is why they are often seen as a much wiser long-term investment.
If you are missing any number of teeth, you may be a candidate for dentures in North Dallas. Full dentures would be beneficial if you have no pearly whites left, while partials are advisable if you have a few healthy teeth remaining in your smile. However, we do ask that your mouth be free of infection before we place your new teeth. If we notice any signs of gum disease or decay in your remaining teeth, we’ll have to treat those issues prior to installing dentures.
When it comes to implant-retained dentures, there are a few more requirements you must meet in order to be a viable candidate. First, you must have enough jawbone density to support as many implants as your denture needs. If not, you must be able and willing to undergo a bone graft to strengthen your jawbone. The ideal candidate also does not smoke (since that can hinder the oral healing process) and does not have any conditions that compromise the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS or uncontrolled diabetes. If you have one of these conditions, you may need to talk to your primary care doctor about the possibility of receiving dental implants.
The main reason to get dentures is to enjoy a fully functional smile again, just like you used to when you had all of your natural teeth. They give you the appearance of an entire set of pearly whites, allowing you to smile with complete confidence. In addition, they let you chew foods you can’t eat when you’re missing teeth, such as crunchy vegetables and hearty meats. Your overall health will be improved once you can eat a more varied diet. Lastly, dentures can even make you appear younger. When you’re undergoing tooth loss, the muscles in your face start to droop, giving you a sunken and older visage. Dentures keep those muscles firmly in place and help you look younger for longer.
Are you ready to change your smile and your life by getting full, partial, or implant-retained dentures in North Dallas? Contact Sunny Smile Dental today to schedule your denture consultation!
Just like any dental restoration out there, the cost of dentures will vary from person to person, as there are numerous factors that contribute to the overall price. During your initial consultation with Dr. Lee, we will determine exactly what you can expect to pay for your dentures in Dallas. Until then, here are some things that you should be considering.
Here are the three main factors that will contribute to the overall cost of your dentures:
Remember that just because a denture is cheaper doesn’t mean that it is better. By opting for budget dentures, you are more likely to require frequent repairs and replacements. When you invest in quality dentures, the results will pay off!
Yes, implant dentures are generally more costly than traditional dentures, but there is a good reason for this. Instead of being supported by the shape and suction of your gums, implant dentures are held in by a series of dental implants that are surgically placed throughout the jawbone. This allows for numerous additional benefits, like being more lifelike and having additional stability. You won’t need to replace your dentures every 5 to 7 years either, as implant dentures are crafted to last for several decades.
In most cases, you can expect some level of coverage for dentures. Many dental insurance plans provide up to 50% coverage, but this varies depending on which plan you have. We are in-network with many major dental insurance providers, and we are more than happy to accept your insurance and file claims on your behalf. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to talk to our friendly dental team.!
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are left completely on your own. We work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can help to break the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments. Restoring your smile shouldn’t mean stressing over finances!
To learn exactly how much you can expect to pay for your dentures, contact us to schedule a consultation. We are eager to help you get your smile back!
Losing one or more teeth can come with a lot of questions about your smile’s future. We want to help you feel confident about your dentures in North Dallas, so we’ve answered some of the most common questions about replacing missing teeth in the section below. Do you have more questions that we haven’t addressed here? Don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us!
Perhaps you wonder if you can get by without tooth replacements, especially if your missing teeth are located in the back of your mouth. However, if you haven’t already, you’ll quickly find out how difficult it can be to chew without a full set of teeth, impacting your ability to have a nutritious diet. With significant gaps, your teeth can shift, which increases the odds of additional tooth loss later on. In addition, feeling self-conscious about your teeth can stop you from showing your smile, and your mood can suffer as a result.
Before we begin to create your dentures, we must resolve any oral problems, such as gum disease or a tooth extraction, if necessary. When you’re ready, we then take an impression of your mouth so that we can specifically design your dentures to fit you comfortably. Then, we send the impressions to a dental lab, where your dentures are fabricated from high-quality materials. Keep in mind that you’ll likely need to come in one or two times for a fitting to ensure a perfect fit.
For implant-retained dentures, we start out by surgically placing the implant posts through the gum tissue and into the jaw bone. Once the bone has grown around the post, we can attach your dentures to the implants, holding them firmly in position.
In most cases, yes. Generally, dental insurance does cover at least part of the total cost for dentures, but it depends on your plan. Our team can happily review your benefits with you so you know precisely how much you’ll still need to pay out-of-pocket.
No two sets of dentures are exactly the same because each one is customized to the patient’s unique smile needs. As a result, we can’t provide an estimate for dentures until you’ve come into our office and had an examination with Dr. Lee. After that point, we’ll let you know the price of treatment and discuss solutions for payment with you in greater detail. For example, low- or even no-interest financing may be available, dividing the cost into easily managed monthly payments.