Dentures – Wall Township, NJ

Effects of Missing Teeth

Knowing the causes of tooth loss and the consequences of not replacing your missing teeth is incredibly important. Some of the most common reasons involve gum disease, tooth decay, injury, and even poor oral hygiene practices. There can also be particular systemic conditions that can result in losing some or all of your teeth.

Even if you’re missing one tooth, you must renew your smile as soon as possible. Neglecting to do so can lead to future complications, such as your other remaining teeth shifting out of place to fill in the gap. Your jawbone can also start to weaken and deteriorate, and your gum tissue can begin to recede. Other issues include facial sagging, difficulty chewing, trouble speaking, and reduced self-confidence.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

While virtually anyone with missing teeth can be eligible for dentures, we’ll need to consider certain factors. You must have healthy gums as well as sufficient jawbone density for a higher chance of successful results. These prosthetics can also be beneficial for those who have sensitive teeth or are experiencing decay.

The kind of denture you’ll receive will also be based on the number of teeth that you’re missing. For instance, you may have to choose between different options like full dentures, partial dentures, and implant dentures. In many cases, traditional dentures offer a more cost-effective method for renewing smiles, especially if a patient is on a budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you can’t get dentures, then we’ll check to see if you’re eligible for another kind of restoration, such as:

• Dental bridges : Those who are missing one or multiple teeth in a row can opt for a dental bridge. These involve two dental crowns that will be affixed to the natural healthy teeth on either side of the gap, which will be connected via pontics (the bridging teeth).
• Dental implants : By embedding dental implants into your jawbone, we can attach your restorations to a more stable foundation while also preserving your bone density and facial structure. With proper care, your results can easily last decades or a lifetime!

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Ultimately, all dentures have two parts: the base and the artificial teeth. Each of these components is vital to the final appliance. To learn why, consider their features below:

• Denture Base – A base is the foundational structure that supports a denture’s teeth. Normally, it can be made from various materials - acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal. Due to sitting on a patient’s gums, though, it’s always colored pink to blend with its surroundings.
• Artificial Teeth – Per their name, artificial teeth are a denture’s tooth-replacing portions. Labs often make them from resin or porcelain so they look natural. (Porcelain, however, is typically used for full dentures alone. The material can be abrasive to adjacent teeth.)

The Denture Creation Process

Every denture is custom-made, so creating each one involves a multi-step process. Here’s a primer on what these steps look like:

• Step 1: Your dentist will take an impression of your upper and lower gums. Afterward, they’ll send the resulting model to a lab that makes the dentures.
• Step 2: The lab will craft wax dentures and send them to the dentist for a fitting. Assuming patient and dentist approval, the restorations are returned to the lab for completion.
• Step 4: A technician boils the dentures to remove their wax portions. They then place the appliance in a flask to pour plaster. Subsequently, the flask is placed in hot water to melt the dentures.
• Step 5: Holes are made in the artificial teeth so new material can attach. A liquid separator is also added to the plaster layer to prevent the acrylic from sticking. The same acrylic is then injected into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 6: The worker removes the plaster to reveal the prosthetics. Later, they place the dentures in an ultrasonic bath to remove leftover plaster.
• Step 7: The technician polishes the restorations after cutting away excess acrylic.
• Step 8: After returning to the office, the patient undergoes fitting and final adjustments.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

You may feel minor discomfort as you start wearing your new dentures. In fact, you might even experience soreness and trouble with eating or speaking. Rest assured, though, that you’ll adjust to the dentures with time; they’ll feel similar to your natural teeth before you know it.

Of course, you could always speed up the adjustment process. One idea, for instance, is to eat soft foods that reduce or avoid chewing-related soreness. Strengthening your facial muscles or using dental adhesives are other options.

Whatever your adjustment method, though, be careful. You might need to visit our office if your denture aches persist. Should that happen, Dr. Aptaker may have to alter the restorations further.

Psychological Benefits

Once you’ve lost one, some, or all of your teeth, it can be difficult to feel comfortable with your smile. In many cases, people struggling with tooth loss can end up experiencing significantly lower self-esteem, as they’ll be less likely to engage in social activities. With dentures, however, you can replace your missing pearly whites to regain the dazzling and healthy grin you can be proud of.

Clearer Enunciation

To speak clearly and effectively, we typically need to press our tongue and lips against our teeth to pronounce certain sounds and words. Without many or any of them, this can become challenging or nearly impossible to do. Fortunately, dentures can provide the necessary parts for clearer enunciation. Of course, this may take some time to get used to, but with a little practice, your renewed bite should feel more natural in no time.

Improves Nutrition

Tooth loss can often affect a person’s bite and chewing ability, meaning they’ll have to leave certain foods out of their meals, especially those that require more grinding. Being unable to eat properly can increase the risk of issues like indigestion and malnutrition. By wearing dentures, you’ll be free to expand your diet so you can include healthier options like fruits, veggies, and lean proteins that are tough in texture. Not only will you be able to chew more efficiently, but eating more nutritious meals can help promote better oral and overall health.

Preserves Oral Health

Whenever you lose teeth, your jawbone can begin to deteriorate from a lack of roots to stimulate it. Over time, any remaining natural pearly whites can start to move out of place to fill the gaps. By having dentures in place, you can help prevent dental shifting, allowing the rest of your teeth to stay in their healthy positions. Additionally, your prosthetics can help share the pressure of chewing, avoiding wear and tear on your natural smile.

Expands Opportunities

Most people will notice your smile first during your initial greeting. Being uncomfortable with your smile due to tooth loss can cause you to want to hide your grin, which can impact your social and professional opportunities. By renewing your missing teeth with dentures, you can feel confident and be more likely to engage with others. This, in turn, can boost your first impression, as others may perceive you as more welcoming and attractive.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

The first step to understanding how much your dentures will cost is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. Dr. Aptaker will carefully examine your smile and determine if you are eligible to receive dentures as well as if you need a partial or full denture. Other factors that must come into play include:

• Preliminary Treatment: Although some patients may be free to start the process of receiving dentures immediately, there is a possibility that preliminary treatments may be necessary. These can include everything from periodontal therapy to tooth extraction to bone grafting. The status of your gum and jawbone health will largely determine if these additional procedures are necessary.
• Materials Used to Create Dentures: Most partial and full dentures are made using acrylic. This creates the base for your prosthetic and is most commonly used because of its ability to blend with your existing soft tissues. You will incur a fee for use of the acrylic as well as for the labor that is required to make it.
• Type of Artificial Teeth: Based on how many teeth you have that are missing, the type of denture you receive, and the number of artificial teeth needed will also be factored into the overall cost. Most teeth are made from ceramic or porcelain, but our team will go over which material is best for your future smile.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Yes, implant dentures are more expensive upfront; however, they are actually much more cost-effective in the long run. Why? Because unlike traditional dentures that only sit on top of your gums, implant dentures are surgically placed into your jawbone, creating a stable and firm foundation for your customized denture. Not to mention, they can remain firmly in place for a lifetime, never requiring replacement as long as you commit to taking care of your smile.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Most dental insurance companies do offer available coverage for dentures. How much they will agree to pay is largely based on whether you’ve met your deductible and how much is left of your annual maximum, but it is not uncommon for many insurers to cover up to 50% of the total cost. It is best, however, to contact a member of your insurance company and ask about any out-of-pocket expenses you might incur, as this will allow you to better plan for ways to pay for the remaining costs associated with your treatment.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

If you are uninsured, you don’t have to give up hope on replacing your missing teeth. Instead, you can enroll in our own Wellness Savings Plan! By signing up for one of our available membership plans, you can pay one annual fee and receive preventive care as well as discounts on all other services, including dentures! With no yearly maximums, no deductibles, no waiting periods, no pre-determinations, and no pre-existing conditions limitations, you can save big when choosing to see our office for your denture placement.

The team at Shore Points General and Implant Dentistry is here to help make denture treatment affordable. Whether filing on your insurance or enrolling in our Wellness Savings Plan, we’re ready to make sure you get the card you need at a price you can afford.

Removable Dentures

Remove & Rinse After Eating

After every meal, you should remove and rinse your dentures off to prevent plaque and food debris buildup that could lead to infections and declining oral health. This will help protect your gums, allowing them to continue offering a strong and healthy support system for your replacement teeth.

Whenever you rinse your dentures after meals, be sure to not use hot water, because this can warp their structure and fit. Instead, use room temperature water.

Clean Your Prosthetic

In addition to regularly being rinsed, dentures also need to be thoroughly cleaned at least once a day. This helps clear out debris and plaque in harder-to-reach nooks and crannies of the restoration. Once you remove them from your mouth, you can use a soft-bristled or special denture-cleaning toothbrush as well as some clear hand soap or denture cleanser to clean them. You’ll want to avoid more abrasive products like traditional toothpaste, as these could scratch the surface of your denture.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Your dentures should never be left out on your nightstand or without protection. If you have partial dentures, be sure to store them in a hard case. If you have full dentures, always be careful where you’re leaving them, especially after cleaning them. Store them away from children, pets, and areas where they’ll be likely to become knocked off of a counter and broken.

Remove Your Dentures When You Sleep

You should never sleep with your dentures in, except for the first 24-hours of having them. After that, you’ll need to remove them nightly and place them in a glass of room temperature water or denture-soaking solution. This will help them maintain their shape and comfortable fit. If they shrink, it could lead to gum circulation restriction, irritation, and difficulty eating and speaking.

Notice Changes

After years, your mouth will change shape due to jawbone deterioration. This is why it’s important to notice any changes in the fit of your dentures. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for any signs of damage so you can get them repaired as soon as possible.

All-on-4 Dentures

All-on-4 dentures are anchored to the mouth with four to six dental implants that are surgically placed below the gumline. Due to the fact that they function like your natural teeth, they have slightly different aftercare instructions:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush like you would your normal teeth.
• Floss at least once a day using a water flosser, floss picks, or regular dental floss.
• Clean the spaces between your gums and restoration using a special sulcus brush.
• Rinse your mouth with alcohol-free mouthrinse at least once a day.