Dentures – Fairfax, VA

Effects of Missing Teeth

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, some of the main culprits that can lead to tooth loss include periodontal disease, tooth decay, poor oral hygiene, and accidental injuries. Even if you don’t feel any discomfort after losing some or all of your pearly whites, you might experience some complications if you don’t replace them.

Since your natural tooth roots stimulate your jaws, having them missing can lead to jawbone deterioration which can end up causing any remaining teeth to shift out of place. You may also experience facial sagging, making you appear older than you are, and it’ll be more difficult for you to eat, speak, and smile confidently. By replacing your missing teeth, you can effectively improve both your oral health and overall well-being.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

As mentioned above, those who are missing any number of teeth may be eligible for dentures. Of course, you’ll also need to have strong and healthy gums and jawbone to support the prosthetics. That’s why the only true way to determine if you’re a good candidate for the treatment is to undergo an initial consultation with our team. We’ll assess your mouth and check to see if there are any underlying issues we’ll need to resolve before moving forward, such as gum disease or decay. In general, as long as your mouth is healthy and you’re committed to practicing good oral hygiene every day, you should qualify for dentures.

The kind of prosthetic you’ll get will also depend on your situation. Based on the number of missing teeth, you might receive a partial, full, or implant denture. This treatment is also cost-effective and best for patients who are on a budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you aren’t eligible for dentures, we can recommend alternative options for rebuilding your smile. These can include:

• Dental Bridges: These prosthetics are reserved for people who are missing one or several teeth in a row. They consist of two dental crowns that are connected by pontics, and the process involves reshaping the adjacent teeth on either side of the gap to make room for the bridge.
• Dental Implants: Instead of resting on your gum line, your new teeth can be anchored to your jawbone via dental implants. These metal posts will provide incredible stability, preserve your bone tissue, and can potentially last a lifetime with proper care.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What are Dentures Made Of?

Your artificial teeth have two main sections. The information below outlines the materials used for each part.

• Denture base. This is the foundational structure that gives prosthetics their shape. It can be made from various materials, such as acrylic, nylon, porcelain, composite resin, or metal. Typically, full dentures utilize acrylic because it can be individualized to match your gum tissue. If you get a partial set, the base will likely include metal clasps to anchor to neighboring teeth.
• Pontics (artificial teeth). The teeth themselves are usually made from porcelain or resin. Both options reflect light similarly to enamel for incredibly lifelike restorations. However, porcelain is used more frequently because of its durability.

The Denture Creation Process

The lab technicians building your dentures follow a meticulous process to build your fully customized restoration. From start to finish, the process typically includes:

• Step 1: Our team will take impressions of your upper and lower arches using a digital impressions system to enhance patient comfort. With state-of-the-art equipment, there’s no need to manually bite into a tray of thick paste, which is the traditional method. This information is used to build a model to create your prosthetics.
• Step 2: The impressions, images, measurements, and other information we gather are sent to the dental laboratory. They use this to create a wax version of your gumline.
• Step 3: A mechanical device known as an articulator is used to place artificial teeth into the wax. Then, the base is carved and shaped to look more realistic.
• Step 4: This early wax version is sent back to our office so we can schedule you for a fitting. We’ll note any changes that need to be made and send them back to be completed.
• Step 5: The lab tech places your dentures in a flask and heats them in water to melt away the wax.
• Step 6: Holes are drilled into the teeth so the base material can be attached, but a liquid separator is added to the plaster to keep the acrylic from sticking to it. Then, acrylic is injected into the flask to replace the now-missing wax.
• Step 7: Special tools are used to carefully remove the plaster, and then your dentures are put in an ultrasonic bath to ensure they’re clean.
• Step 8: Any excess acrylic is trimmed away, and your artificial teeth are polished until they shine.
• Step 9: The final product is returned to our location so we can ensure it fits before we send you home with your new dentures.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It’s normal to feel somewhat sore and sensitive once you start wearing your dentures regularly throughout the day. It can take about a month for your gums, tongue, and supporting muscles to adjust to having them in your mouth. During that time, you can mitigate pain by sticking to softer, bland foods that won’t irritate your gums. Also, if you develop any raw spots, you might try using a denture adhesive cream that forms a layer of cushion for added comfort.

Psychological Benefits

You may not think that dentures offer more than a functional and aesthetic benefit; however, their presence can have a positive psychological benefit as well. Each time you look in the mirror to see a full set of teeth or take a bite of one of your favorite foods, you’ll experience a boost in confidence and happiness – both of which stem from your mental and emotional health.

Clear Enunciation

As you become more accustomed to your new teeth, you will notice that your speech will improve. While it is true that a slight lisp may develop initially, it will dissipate over time as you begin to use your dentures in daily life. Before you know it, the sounds and words you make will sound clear, making it easier to talk to others instead of avoiding conversation altogether.

Improves Nutrition

A smile with no teeth is unlikely to get excited about eating certain foods. Enjoying a meal with family and friends might even seem impossible; however, once your new teeth are in place, you will notice a desire to eat the foods you love once again. As a result, you can take back your health and enjoy a nutrient-rich diet that benefits both your mouth and body.

Preserves Oral Health

If you have existing natural teeth, wearing a partial denture will ensure that these teeth remain in place and do not drift. Without prosthetics, they can fall out of alignment and cause additional oral health problems that require orthodontic treatment. Also, with dentures, you will notice a new desire to maintain your appearance. Although brushing, flossing, and rinsing might look a bit different, you’ll be more apt to take better care of your smile and ultimately improve your oral health.

Expands Opportunity

Since dentures are not just for those who are retired, they can do wonders when it comes to expanding personal and professional opportunities. Whether you have a full, partial, or implant denture, it can help you make a good first impression when meeting a future employer. It can also give you the confidence needed to smile and enjoy a conversation with someone you just met.

Removable Dentures

Removable dentures are considered traditional prosthetics that are not anchored in place. Full and partial dentures use metal frameworks, natural suction, and denture adhesives, making it easy for them to remove when needed.

Remove After Eating

No matter the type of denture you have, it’s important to remove it after finishing a meal. Bacteria and food particles can easily accumulate, which is why taking them out to give them a thorough brushing can be helpful. It’s also beneficial to brush your gums and rinse your mouth during this time so that you can flush out any remaining debris that might otherwise try to attach to your dentures.

Clean Your Restoration

Dentures should be cleaned with a soft-bristled toothbrush, lukewarm water (hot temperatures can cause them to become warped), and nonabrasive toothpaste. Using many of the ones found on drugstore shelves can scratch the material used to create your dentures, causing them to appear dull and damaged. Our team will be happy to provide suggestions to help you find a toothpaste that works best for your artificial teeth.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Receiving dentures is an investment in time and money, so making sure they are safe when you’re not wearing them is worth the effort. At night, you’ll want to make sure they are soaking and sitting in a cup at a level that cannot be reached by pets or young children. Keeping them out of reach will ensure they do not sustain any damage or become lost as a result of a sneaky toddler looking to have a bit of fun.

When cleaning your dentures, make sure to lay down a towel so that they do not break against the basin of the sink should they accidentally slip out of your hands.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

While sleeping, you are advised to remove your dentures and place them in a soaking solution. This will not only benefit your artificial teeth but your gums and bone as well. Dentures need a thorough cleaning each night to rid them of any existing bacteria or dried saliva. Your jawbone and gums also need a reprieve after sustaining consistent pressure all day. This time allows your oral and facial structures to rest and breathe, regaining many essential nutrients that are lost while dentures are worn.

Also, removing your dentures reduces the potential for pneumonia, as bacteria thrive in dark, moist environments – the kind that exists between your denture and gums.

Notice Changes

When choosing dentures to replace your missing teeth, you know that their lifespan is usually 8-10 years; however, you may notice various changes before it’s time to have them replaced. Since there is no root to stimulate the jawbone, there is a good chance that you’ll experience resorption, causing the bone to shrink over time. When this happens, your denture may no longer fit properly. In this instance, you’ll need to contact our dental team to undergo a reline so that they continue to function correctly and fit comfortably inside your mouth.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

Overall, three major factors influence the total cost of dentures in Fairfax. Some of those include:

• Any preliminary dental work (i.e., tooth extractions, periodontal treatment)
• Number of teeth you’re missing
• Materials your denture will be made of (typically porcelain or acrylic)

If you’re trying to reduce your total expenses, you may be thinking about getting cheaper dentures. However, that’s not necessarily ideal because they tend to break more easily, meaning they’ll require replacement much sooner than you’d expect. It’s always best to opt for higher quality dentures because they’re considered a worthwhile investment.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Yes, but there’s a good reason for that. Implant dentures are more costly because they require oral surgery and the placement of multiple dental implants. For that reason, implant dentures are far more reliable day-to-day because they do not slip and slide around while in place. Additionally, they help stimulate the jawbone, preventing its deterioration and providing you with increased biting strength and longevity. Even though this option has a higher upfront cost, it can last for decades and won’t need to be replaced every few years.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Since dentures are considered a major procedure, most dental insurance plans will cover around 50% of their costs. Of course, every policy is unique, meaning the exact amount of coverage that’s offered can vary significantly from person to person. Before committing to treatment, make sure you confirm the details of your coverage with your insurance provider. Our team is more than happy to help with that process if needed.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

We understand that not everyone has dental insurance, which is why we offer additional options to help make your dental bills easier to manage. With CareCredit financing, you can split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly monthly installments. There are multiple low-to-no interest plans to choose from, meaning you’re guaranteed to find something that works for you.

Are you ready to transform your smile with dentures in Fairfax? Contact our office and schedule a consultation today to get started!

Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?

Repairing a damaged tooth whenever possible is always preferable to replacing it. Tooth extractions of any kind will only ever be recommended when deemed absolutely necessary, like when a tooth is too damaged to save thanks to extensive decay, severe infection, or trauma that has broken off most of the enamel. If all of the teeth in an arch are decayed or infected with gum disease, replacing them with dentures may be a viable option, but your dentist will always explore all of your options before recommending this.

Can I Sleep with My Dentures?

Dentists generally recommend taking your dentures out at night when you go to bed. When you first get your dentures, you’ll typically be told to keep them in your mouth for 24 hours, including when you sleep. After this, you should be taking them out every evening. Wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. Taking dentures out gives the gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need during sleep. The dark, moist space beneath the dentures is also an ideal place for bacteria to thrive, so sleeping with dentures has been associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to take them out before catching some Z’s.

Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?

If you need to have teeth extracted before you’re able to get dentures, you are likely to experience some discomfort after the oral surgery. Take recommended over-the-counter and prescribed pain medication as directed and the discomfort should improve 3 to 5 days after the procedure. When you first receive new dentures, some minor irritation may occur while your mouth adjusts to the new appliance. The amount of time that the discomfort lasts will vary from person to person. If you switch to a new set of dentures, the adjustment process may take longer than before. If pain persists, give us a call.

Can You Kiss with Dentures?

It is completely possible to kiss while you’re wearing dentures. It just takes time to get used to how it feels. Since dentures don’t contain nerves like real teeth do, you will need to be cautious to avoid kissing with too much pressure. Remember to be gentle so that your denture doesn’t shift out of place.