Even a single missing tooth can adversely impact your oral and overall health. The surrounding teeth will shift to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth. This movement causes alignment concerns that can place pressure on teeth and jaw joints causing issues with oral health and function. Overtime, the supportive bone and soft tissue will breakdown, leading to teeth that feel loose, and eventually, this can lead to additional tooth loss. Patients with numerous missing teeth struggle to speak clearly or chew a variety of foods. Almost every aspect of daily life is negatively impacted by advanced tooth loss – even something as simple as sharing a smile with a friend can cause unnecessary stress. To renew health and function and improve your confidence, replacing missing teeth is essential.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH?

Full dentures also consist of a gum-colored base and prosthetic replacement teeth. Because these dentures are used to replace an entire row of lost teeth, there is no healthy dental structure left to provide support for these dentures. Instead, full dentures are held in placed through natural suction between the denture base and gum tissue. When properly fitted, these dentures restore patients’ abilities to speak, chew, and smile with confidence.

WHAT ARE FULL DENTURES?

Partials are dentures used to replace several consecutive and nonconsecutive teeth in a row. The prosthetic teeth are attached to a gum-colored base. The supportive base is shaped to fit between healthy dental structures and held in place with clasps attached to these healthy teeth.

WHAT ARE PARTIAL DENTURES?

WHICH TOOTH REPLACEMENT PROSTHETIC IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Not all patients are good candidates for implant supported dental restorations. During your tooth replacement consultation, we’ll review your situation, discuss your health history, and partner with you to choose the best restoration option.

SHOULD I CONSIDER IMPLANT SUPPORTED DENTURES?

In addition to traditional, removable dental prosthetics, we also offer dental implant supported dentures. Implant posts positioned below the gum line mimic the lost roots of missing teeth, providing natural feeling support for the prosthetic. Patients who opt to receive an implant-retained denture will experience significant improvement in chewing function as well as longer lasting result.

DENTURE FAQS

If you’re missing some or all your teeth, partial or full dentures in Richardson offer a quick, cost-effective way to regain your complete, confident smile. If you want to know more about this classic tooth replacement option, we invite you to look over some of the most common questions we get about dentures below. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to call your friendly dental team at Breckinridge Dental & Orthodontics and we’ll be more than happy to help!

I NEED DENTURES—WHERE DO I START?

The first step on your way to a beautiful, complete smile is to schedule a consultation with your Richardson dentist. During this first appointment, we’ll talk about your tooth replacement goals and address your concerns. Then, we’ll inspect your mouth and review your medical history to ensure that dentures are a good choice for you. Once we’ve fully explained all your options, we’ll help you choose the one that best meets your unique needs and work with you to design your custom treatment plan.

DO I BRUSH DENTURES LIKE NATURAL TEETH?

Even though you won’t have to worry about your dentures developing a cavity like natural teeth, its still important to keep them clean. Regularly removing plaque, food debris, and bacteria that build up in your mouth is essential for preventing oral health issues like gum disease and dental infections. However, regular toothbrushes and toothpastes are too abrasive to be used on your dentures. These items may scratch away at their finish, which could cause them to weaken and look dull. Instead, make sure to only clean them with special denture brushes and cleaners to keep your new smile happy and healthy.

HOW LONG DO DENTURES LAST?

At Breckinridge Dental & Orthodontics, we’re proud to use the highest quality materials to ensure you can enjoy the most attractive and longest-lasting results. However, traditional dentures are not meant to last forever. As your mouth changes shape over time, they’ll begin to lose their fit and need to be replaced. You can typically expect your traditional dentures to last about a decade with the proper care.

However, the lifespan of an implant-retained denture is a different story. Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution for tooth loss. Once they’ve been inserted into your jawbone, they should stay firmly in place for at least 30 years. In fact, if you practice great oral hygiene, you can easily expect your implant-retained denture to stay functional, beautiful, and comfortable for a lifetime.

DOES DENTAL INSURANCE COVER THE COST OF DENTURES?

Since every dental insurance policy is different, there isn’t a single answer to this question. Generally, dental insurance companies will cover at least a portion of the cost of dentures. Feel free to bring your insurance policy paperwork with you to your consultation and we’ll be happy to review its details with you. Our talented team has years of experience helping patients maximize their benefits and minimize their out of pocket expenses. Additionally, we offer both in-house and third-party financing options to help make rebuilding your smile as affordable as possible.

If you’re ready to regain your complete smile, call us today to schedule your consultation! We’ll be happy to help you achieve the beautiful, complete, and healthy smile you deserve.