Ready to replace your missing teeth in Aspen Hill? Want to feel confident about the way you look? At Dental Center of
Aspen Hill, you can achieve the smile you desire without opting for invasive surgery. Instead, our team of experts
can recommend a safe, reliable, and effective solution that offers a natural look and feel. With dentures in Aspen
Hill, you will have greater functionality, improved aesthetic, and a chance to feel good about your smile. Want to
know if you’re eligible for treatment? Contact our office today to schedule an
appointment with one of our qualified dentists.
Why Choose Dental Center of Aspen Hill for Dentures?
- Advanced technology used to produce more accurate impressions
- A customized prosthetic designed to look and feel natural
- A personalized approach that meets the needs of each patient
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Almost anyone can be a good dentures candidate in Aspen Hill, whether you lack one tooth or many. That said, you can only confirm your eligibility by consulting our dentists. They must assess your mouth in person before signing off on treatment. In case you don’t qualify, though, never fear; we can provide you with prep work or other restorations. As for what to expect from the assessment process, learn the details below or call our office for the relevant facts.
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Effects of Missing Teeth
As the denture consult begins, we’ll walk you through tooth loss’s causes and long-term effects. This knowledge will help you see how dentures can protect your health.
People can lose teeth for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes, a tooth decays to the point it falls out or needs extraction. Alternatively, a gum infection may erode the bone and tissue that keep chompers in place. A physical accident or sports injury could also result in knocked-out teeth.
Meanwhile, the effects of missing teeth are consistent and harsh. Going without pearly whites can cause eating, speaking, and smiling challenges. If left untreated, your mouth’s smile gaps will also lead to jaw erosion. That process would then cause facial collapse, aging your face. Adding insult to injury, those same spaces may trigger further tooth loss.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
As implied earlier, patients usually qualify for dentures if they’re missing teeth. Still, there are other factors one might consider.
One is the state of your oral health. Aside from tooth loss, dentures treat dental sensitivity and tooth decay too. They’ll only work, though, if you have sufficiently healthy gum and jaw tissue. Plus, you’ll only get real use from dentures when you firmly commit to dental care.
The number of missing teeth is also noteworthy. Depending on how many chompers you’ve lost, you’d benefit more from one type of denture. A partial one is best for those lacking a few teeth. In contrast, a full model is preferable if all the pearly whites along an arch are gone.
Of course, finances also play a role. Since dentures are cheaper than other restorations, they’re ideal for patients on a budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
There’s no need to panic if you aren’t a good dentures candidate; you still have options. More specifically, you can always opt for our office’s other tooth-replacement procedures. These include:
- Dental Bridges – As fixed restorations, dental bridges are usually given to patients missing a few teeth. They’re made of pontics fused to crowns on either side, so they need nearby healthy teeth to support themselves.
- Dental Implants – Implants are prosthetic teeth placed in your jawbone. Due to their titanium material, they gradually fuse with your jaw over time. However, their placement is pricey and requires that your jaw have sufficient bone density. In exchange, though, you can trust your results to be secure and permanent.
Learn More About Dental Bridges
Learn More About Dental Implants
Types of Dentures
Whether you’re missing multiple teeth or an entire arch, dentures come in various forms. While each is
designed to restore your smile, your dentist will examine your oral and facial structure and determine which one
is right for you.
Full Dentures
Full dentures consist of a full row of artificial teeth that sit on an acrylic, gum-colored base. These can be
designed for the top or bottom arch and are custom-made by lab technicians based on the specifications provided
by you and one of our skilled dental professionals. In some cases, it may be necessary for us to extract one or
more teeth before moving forward with full dentures.
With full dentures, your natural suction helps to hold them in place; however, you can opt to purchase a dental
adhesive for added support.
Partial Dentures
If you are missing several teeth along the top or bottom arch, a partial denture can be created and secured into
place. Similar to a puzzle piece, this prosthetic is created using the same acrylic, gum-colored base, only the
artificial teeth are placed in strategic areas to fill in the gaps of your natural arch. Using metal clasps or
clips, it is secured to your regular teeth and held into place.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Unlike a traditional full or partial denture, implant-retained dentures require surgical placement. Using between
4 and 6 dental implants, your dentist will make small incisions in your gums before placing each implant into
your jawbone. After spending 3-6 months healing at home and allowing the implants to fuse with your jawbone and
surrounding tissues, you will return to have your custom-made denture secured to the tops of your implants. This
type of restoration offers greater stability and permanence because of its surgical placement.
How Dentures Are Made
While you can enjoy plenty of benefits with dentures, it may also be important for you to know what to expect from your prosthetics. Other than what they can do for your smile, learning about the materials used to make them and how they’re created can help you better appreciate your new pearly whites. Whether you need a full, partial, or implant-retained denture, the creation process is typically the same for each option. Read on to learn how your prosthetics are produced!
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What Are Dentures Made Of?
Firstly, your dentures will be made of two main sections: the base and the artificial teeth. The denture base is the structural foundation for which your artificial teeth will function properly as your new bite. This portion can be formed with materials like nylon, resin, acrylic, porcelain, and even metal. For most full dentures, the base is likely going to be acrylic due to its ability to mimic your real gum tissue.
The denture’s artificial teeth can be constructed out of resin or porcelain, as these materials can match your natural pearly whites more accurately. However, porcelain is typically used since it feels/looks normal, is incredibly durable, and is capable of lasting several decades with proper care.
The Denture Creation Process
The process of making your prosthetic teeth involves numerous steps, which can take several weeks to a few months to complete. Your dentist will first take impressions of your smile to develop a mold of your ridges and arches, that way your dentures will be the proper shape and size. This mold will be sent to a dental lab for fabrication. The artificial teeth will be constructed from acrylic resin and positioned in a wax replica of your smile. The wax will be shaped to mimic your gums before being sent to us for a fitting. After we’ve approved the mock-up, we’ll return it for the final steps.
Back at the lab, a technician will remove the wax by boiling the dentures. They’ll place the prosthetics in a flask and will use plaster to preserve their shape. Holes will then be made in the teeth so the material can connect to it. Your dentures will then be trimmed, cut, and formed perfectly before they’re sent back to our office. You’ll then return to us for a final fitting. After making any necessary adjustments and confirming that you’re satisfied with your prosthetics, you’ll be free to show off your new and beautiful smile!
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
The first time you wear your dentures, you might experience some discomfort or soreness on your gum line. You may even have some difficulty eating and speaking comfortably during this time. This, of course, is temporary and they’ll begin to feel like your natural teeth with some time and practice. Several ways you can make this process smoother is by:
- Using denture adhesive
- Exercising your facial muscles
- Sticking to softer foods in the beginning
The Benefits of Dentures
Dentures have been around since the days of George Washington, and fortunately, they’ve come a long way. Instead of being made out of wood or ivory, these restorative prosthetics are giving people like yourself a chance to live life with a complete smile that is functional and beautiful. Whether you’re missing some or all of your teeth, you’ll be sure to appreciate the advantages of renewing your bite with natural-looking and durable dentures. Here are some of the benefits to expect from your treatment.
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Psychological Benefits
If you’ve been struggling with tooth loss, then you likely understand the various psychological downsides that come with this condition. Having one or multiple gaps in your smile can make you feel self-conscious or embarrassed. You might even avoid social interactions or hide your mouth when talking. However, by replacing your missing teeth with dentures, you can regain your bite and boost your confidence in the long run! With these prosthetics, you won’t have to worry as much about how you look, your chewing ability, or your speech.
Clearer Enunciation
Speaking effectively typically requires your lips and tongue to be properly positioned against your pearly whites. If you’re missing some or all of your teeth, this can make it extremely difficult to enunciate words and sounds. By renewing your smile with dentures, you’ll be able to regain the proper support necessary for clearer speech. It can take some time to get used to them, but constant practice and repetition can make your adjustment period smoother until it feels natural to talk with your dentures.
Improves Nutrition
While nutritious foods are essential for promoting better overall health, many of them can be tough to chew, including fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Being unable to bite and chew meals efficiently can lead to complications like indigestion and malnutrition. By improving your bite with dentures, you’ll be free to expand your dietary options, which can positively impact your oral and overall well-being.
Preserves Oral Health
Did you know that any remaining natural teeth can begin to shift out of place due to tooth loss? Since there’s a lack of tooth roots in the jawbone, this can cause the bone tissue to deteriorate, which can lead other existing pearly whites to move to fill in the gaps. With dentures, you can receive the effective support necessary to prevent this from happening. Additionally, your prosthetics will also help bear the pressures of daily chewing, minimizing the natural wear and tear of your remaining teeth.
Expands Opportunities
One of the main ways to make a great first impression is with your smile. If you’re getting ready for a job interview, going for a promotion, or preparing for a date, you’ll want to ensure that you can show off beautiful and healthy pearly whites to raise your chance of success. For this reason, if you’re missing teeth, dentures are a simple and effective way to improve your smile and expand your social and professional opportunities. Not only will you feel more confident, but others will also see you as more engaging and attractive based on how you carry yourself!
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
The cost of dentures will vary significantly from person to person, as there are numerous factors that contribute to
the overall cost. During your initial consultation with
us, you will be able to discuss exactly how much you can expect to pay in order to restore the appearance and
function of your smile. Until then, here are some things for you to consider.
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Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
Here are the main factors that contribute to the cost of dentures:
- The preparation before the dentures can be worn will contribute to the cost. For example, if you need gum
disease therapy or a tooth extraction.
- The materials used for the base and replacement teeth influence the price. The base is generally made from
acrylic while replacement teeth can be made from acrylic or porcelain.
- The number of teeth that you need to have replaced. Generally, the larger the restoration, the higher the cost.
Remember that cheaper doesn’t mean better when it comes to tooth replacement. Budget dentures are much more
likely to become damaged and require frequent repairs and replacements. If you are looking for optimal appearance
and function, investing in quality dentures is a must.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures do cost more than traditional dentures. Instead of being supported by the suction and chape of the
gum tissue, implant dentures are held in place by a series of dental implants that are placed directly into the
jawbone. This allows for numerous additional benefits. This includes a more lifelike appearance and additional
stability. You don’t have to worry about replacing your dentures every 5 to 7 years either, as they are a
long-lasting solution.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Most dental insurance plans will provide some level of coverage when it comes to dentures – usually up to 50%,
but this will vary depending on your provider. At Dental Center of Aspen Hill, we are happy to be in-network with
many PPO dental insurance plans. Our team is prepared to file any claims you have on your behalf to fully maximize
your benefits. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to talk to one of our friendly team members.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. We work with
CareCredit – a third-party financing company that allows patients to break up the cost of their treatment into
manageable monthly installments.
We also have an In-House Membership Club that allows patients to access many of the same benefits that you would
usually find in a typical dental insurance plan. Not only does our plan cover most basic and many advanced
treatments, but you also don’t need to deal with annual maximums or deductibles.
The best way to know exactly how much your dentures will cost is by scheduling an initial consultation. This way, we
can help you get your smile back!
Dentures Aftercare
Dentures are a life-changing solution to tooth loss. However, even if you don’t have any natural teeth left, this doesn’t mean that you should stop going to the dentist. Attending regular cleanings and checkups is important for a variety of different reasons. Your dentist will continue to monitor any existing teeth and gum tissue. They will also keep an eye out for abnormalities that could indicate oral cancer. When you have dentures, it is very difficult to notice these changes in your mouth on your own. Early detection from your dentist is key to making a full recovery.
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Removeable Dentures
Remove After Eating
After every meal, you should take out your dentures and give them a rinse. This will help to prevent buildups of food debris and plaque. When rinsing, don’t use hot water. High temperatures can warp the denture material and cause them not to fit properly.
Clean Your Restoration
Take out your dentures to clean them thoroughly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of unscented hand soap, mild dish soap, or denture cleanser to gently brush your dentures. Don’t use regular toothpaste. Dentures aren’t made to stand up to abrasive products. If you aren’t going to wear your dentures again right away, place them in a container of water or denture-cleansing solution so they don’t dry out and lose their shape. Before you put your dentures back in your mouth, always rinse them thoroughly.
Keep Your Dentures Safe
When you clean your dentures, you may want to place a towel underneath you just in case you accidentally drop your dentures. This will reduce the probability of your dentures becoming damaged. Keep your restoration out of reach of small children and pets.
Remove When You Sleep
When you go to bed, take your dentures out first. Wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft-tissue irritation. Sleeping with dentures has also been associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. While you sleep, keep your dentures in a denture-soaking solution to prevent them from drying out and losing their shape.
Notice Changes
Always be on the lookout for changes so you can address them with your dentist. This includes mouth sores, gum irritation, or signs of infection. If your dentures become damaged in any way, don’t attempt to repair them on your own. You could end up making the damage worse. Instead, give us a call. If you notice that your dentures are shifting, clicking, or showing other signs of not fitting properly, let us know.
All-on-4 Dentures
Caring for All-on-4 dentures works a little bit differently. You should brush your dentures twice a day using a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Stay away from toothpaste containing baking soda or stain-removing agents. Floss your replacement teeth once a day. You can find floss threaders to help you floss beneath your denture. Investing in a water flosser is also a good way to keep your smile fresh. Another important step is to rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash every day to prevent the growth of tartar.
Dentures FAQs
Whether you are missing a few teeth or an entire arch, dentures in Aspen Hill may be the solution you’ve
been looking for to restore your smile and bite! If you have one or more specific questions you’d like
answered before committing to this safe, effective tooth-replacement solution, don’t hesitate to contact
our office so our knowledgeable team can help. However, if you’d like to learn a bit more before giving us
a call, then keep reading for the answers to a few frequently asked questions.
How Will I Take Care of My Dentures?
To prolong the lifespan of your dentures, it’s crucial to care for them properly. Fortunately, since
they are crafted from high-quality materials and are completely removable, that task is relatively easy! To
maintain the function and aesthetic of yours, follow the below best practices:
- Rinse your dentures after you’ve eaten to remove food particles and debris
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your tongue, cheeks, the roof of your mouth, and any remaining
natural teeth twice a day
- Soak your dentures overnight in a denture-friendly solution to preserve their shape and keep them clean
- Visit our office frequently for adjustment appointments to ensure they fit snugly
Do I Still Need to Visit the Dentist Every Six Months with Dentures?
Yes! In fact, your routine appointments are equally as crucial whether you only have a few teeth left or none
at all. By conducting a professional checkup and cleaning every six months, our team can conduct an oral
cancer exam, remove stubborn plaque and tartar, and ensure your dentures are in tip-top shape. Plus, your
biannual appointments are a great opportunity to ask any questions you have about caring for your new smile.
What Happens If My Dentures Break?
Although dentures are custom-made from durable material, it is possible for them to break if they
accidentally go tumbling to the floor. If this happens, do your best not to panic. Instead, carefully gather
the pieces and contact our office. From there, our team can walk you through the next best steps and
schedule an appointment to have them repaired or replaced altogether.
How Much Do Dentures Cost?
Since no two smiles are the same, the price can vary. That being said, there are a few common factors that
determine the answer, like the type of dentures you need, the material they are made of, and whether your
dental insurance will cover a portion of the cost. That’s why we always recommend scheduling an
initial consultation. From there, we can conduct a thorough dental exam, discuss your specific smile needs,
and see how we can maximize your benefits.
Whether you recently began losing teeth or have been struggling with tooth loss for years, dentures can
seamlessly restore your smile and bite without an invasive surgery. Take the next step toward a full,
healthy, beautiful smile by contacting our office today!
Are Denture Adhesives Safe?
Denture adhesives are generally safe when used as directed, but there are important considerations to keep in mind. Most adhesives contain zinc, which, in excessive amounts, can lead to health issues like nerve damage or zinc toxicity. However, when used sparingly and according to the manufacturer's instructions, these risks are minimal. It's crucial to follow dosage guidelines and avoid overuse. If you find yourself needing large amounts of adhesive to keep your dentures secure, it might be a sign that they don’t fit properly, and you might want to visit us for an adjustment.
Can Dentures Become Ill-Fitting?
Yes, dentures can become ill-fitting over time due to several factors. The most common reason is the natural changes in your mouth, such as bone resorption, where the jawbone gradually shrinks after tooth loss. This can alter the shape of your gums and jaw, leading to a loose or uncomfortable fit. Additionally, daily wear and tear can cause the dentures themselves to change shape or become worn out. Ill-fitting dentures can cause sore spots, difficulty chewing, and speech problems. Regular dental check-ups are essential to ensure your dentures fit well and to make adjustments or replacements as needed.
Can I Reline My Dentures Myself?
Relining dentures yourself is not recommended. While there are over-the-counter denture reline kits available, they generally don't provide the same quality or precision as a professional reline done by a dentist. Self-relining can lead to improper fit, causing discomfort, sores, or even damaging the dentures. Professional relining involves using high-quality materials and taking an accurate impression of your mouth, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. If your dentures feel loose or uncomfortable, it's best to visit us for a proper reline rather than attempting it yourself. This ensures the longevity and comfort of your dentures without risking any serious damage to them.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
It's generally recommended to remove your dentures at night. Taking your dentures out while you sleep gives your gums and jawbone a chance to rest, reduces the risk of irritation, and allows for proper cleaning and soaking of the dentures. Sleeping with dentures can lead to issues like sore spots, increased plaque buildup, and a higher risk of infections such as denture stomatitis, a condition caused by yeast overgrowth. Removing your dentures at night also helps maintain good oral hygiene and prolongs the life of the dentures.
