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While dentures have been around for literally hundreds of years, that doesn’t mean the dentures you receive today will be anything like what previous presidents or century-old civilizations used. They have come quite a long way since then in both function and esthetics, so you can feel confident about your future smile. Little Rock Family Dental Care is more than prepared to design and create a personalized denture for you and your family members, so don’t hesitate to call us today to schedule your first appointment!
When you’re considering traditional dentures (outside of implant-retained versions), you have two options to consider. The solution you choose will largely vary depending on what your specific needs might be. These options include full dentures and partial dentures.
When you have lost all of your teeth in a given arch (or both of your arches), a full acrylic and ceramic denture is the most appropriate solution to restore your smile. This denture is held in place via the natural suction of your gums as well as the shape of your mouth. In the beginning weeks of using your denture, you may need to use denture adhesive to ensure stability and help your mouth adjust to its presence.
Made from a metal base and given ceramic restorations to replace teeth, partial dentures are designed to fit inside of your mouth much like a puzzle piece. Instead of replacing the entire arch at a time, they only fill gaps throughout the mouth, ideally gaps on opposing sides. They also rely on metal hooks that wrap around teeth to stay in place.
If you are missing several teeth throughout your mouth or have no remaining teeth whatsoever, a denture just might be for you!
When you use a denture to replace teeth, you can completely restore your smile, giving you newfound confidence along the way. Not only can you make yourself look much younger, but you can eat far more foods that you could not eat before. This makes it easier to build a balanced diet and get the nutrients you need to maintain whole-body wellness. Dentures are also quite affordable considering the number of teeth they are capable of replacing.
When you arrive for your consultation, one of our dentists will closely examine your mouth and confirm which type of denture would best meet your needs. Afterwards, they’ll remove any remaining teeth that are no longer viable and get an impression of your mouth so that a denture can be created. After about two weeks or so, you’ll come back to our office to have the denture fitted and placed. Our dentists will make sure to go over tips to take care of your denture, how to practice at-home oral care, and more.
We need to examine your mouth before we can provide an exact price for your denture. Since there are many factors that can influence the cost of your denture (i.e. the number of teeth in need of replacement, the type of materials used, etc.) you should contact our office to learn more!
Do you have a few questions you would like answered before committing to dentures? Our team at Little Rock Family Dental Care would love to help! For answers tailored to your unique smile from our knowledgeable staff, contact our office to schedule a one-on-one appointment. However, if you would simply like a bit more information before reaching out, read on for a few frequently asked questions.
Since dental insurance helps make the cost of even the most extensive treatment plans more affordable, it’s not surprising that many patients wonder whether their coverage includes dentures. If you’ve asked yourself something similar, then you’ll be happy to know that many insurance providers cover 50% of restorative treatments! However, since each plan is unique, it is a good idea to read the fine print of yours and reach out to their team with any questions you have.
Dentures typically last between five and ten years. Although, many patients enjoy theirs for much longer thanks to proper care and maintenance! To prolong the lifespan of yours, make sure to clean them daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and denture-friendly toothpaste. Like your natural teeth, make sure to gently scrub each surface to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria. It is also a good idea to soak them overnight in a special cleaning solution to preserve their shape and disinfect them.
If your dentures break, no longer fit, or it is simply time, then they should be replaced. At your routine visits with our team, we will conduct a dental exam, check their structure, and ensure they fit correctly so they continue to look and feel as natural as possible. However, if we notice any warning signs, like excessive movement, then we will suggest having them replaced.
Although dentures are crafted from high-quality, durable materials, they can break. Therefore, it is a good idea to always handle them with care and carry them in a soft cloth when transferring them. However, if yours crack or shatter on the floor, do your best not to panic. Instead, safely gather the pieces and contact our office. From there, we can schedule an appointment to have them repaired or to custom-make a new one.
As you adjust to your dentures, it is a good idea to take it easy with food. Start with soft foods that don’t require excessive chewing, like yogurt, soup, and scrambled eggs. Once you build your proficiency, you can begin to transition back to your previous diet. However, foods like red meat, crackers, and raw carrots increase the risk of irritation and inflammation, so you should continue to stay away from those foods when possible. If you have any questions about specific items, don’t hesitate to contact our office!