Dentures – Owings Mills, MD
Beautiful Replacements for Complete Smiles
If you are contending with the challenges of missing teeth—whether one, several, or all of the teeth along an arch—then the need for tooth replacement is obvious. For years, both full and partial dentures have been excellent options for tooth replacement and they still are today. Dr. Mattson will design a denture with false teeth that closely resemble your natural smile. To learn more about your options for dentures in Owings Mills, keep reading!
Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Most people can be considered eligible for dentures as long as they have lost at least one tooth. There are different kinds of dentures to choose from, and each one can be personalized depending on the situation. Of course, you’ll first need to schedule a consultation with your dentist to find out for sure whether dentures are really your best choice or if you might need to pursue a different tooth replacement method.
Effects of Missing Teeth
It’s important to remember why you’re getting dentures in the first place. Teeth can be lost for any number of reasons, but regardless of the cause, the consequences are generally the same. Common issues that you are likely to face include:
- Not being able to eat a variety of foods and suffering from poor nutrition as a result.
- Not being understood due to the lack of teeth making it difficult to enunciate properly.
- Not feeling confident because of the appearance of your smile.
The longer you live with an incomplete grin, the more of a detrimental effect it will have on your life. As such, no matter how many teeth have been lost, you shouldn’t waste any time making an appointment with your dentist to see what they recommend, be it dentures or another solution.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
The main qualifying factor for dentures, of course, is extensive tooth loss. They may also be recommended if most or all of your teeth are badly decayed and need to be removed.
Before you can get dentures, we’ll need to make sure that the gum tissue and jawbone that will support them are in good enough shape for the job. We will also need to confirm your ability to take care of your dentures and maintain a healthy mouth.
The type of denture that you’re eligible for depends on how many teeth are missing. And if you’re interested in getting implant dentures, we’ll need to confirm that there’s enough bone in your jaw. If you have any questions about the available options or any recommendations we give, feel free to ask.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Maybe dentures aren’t a good fit for you. If that’s the case, there are other options that you can consider:
- Dental Bridges: Like dentures, dental bridges have been used to replace missing teeth for a very long time. We can use a bridge to replace a single tooth or multiple consecutive teeth. Keep in mind that a dental bridge is supported by two of your natural teeth, which will need to be adjusted slightly beforehand by having small amounts of enamel removed.
- Dental Implants: A dental implant is a titanium post that can serve as the foundation for replacement teeth. As noted above, sufficient bone density is needed before dental implants can be placed in your jaw.
Full Dentures
Full dentures, also called complete dentures, are designed to replace a full arch of missing teeth. A person who has lost all of their teeth is almost always recognizable by the sagging appearance of his or her face. Therefore, full dentures not only restore your smile and your ability to speak and chew, they can also fill out the look of your face, so you have a more natural and youthful appearance.
Partial Dentures
If you are missing one, two, or three teeth consecutively along one arch, then a partial denture may be the ideal solution for you. A partial consists of false teeth that are mounted on a pink or gum-colored base. This oral prosthesis fits between or among your natural teeth much like a puzzle piece. Brackets or clasps hold the partial in place firmly. With some time and practice, you’ll be able to chew and talk as comfortably as you would with natural teeth.
Implant-Retained Dentures
If you’re looking for dentures that feel and function just like your natural teeth, implant-retained dentures may be the best option for your smile. Using an average of 4 dental implants in each arch, we can anchor your denture in place. The result is a sturdy, stable, and strong smile that won’t ever shift or slide. The best way to know if this solution is right for you is to come into our office for a consultation. Dr. Mattson will carefully examine your smile, the number of teeth you’re missing, and your jawbone health before making a proper recommendation.
Benefits of Dentures
At Diamond Dental of Owings Mills, we want our patients to enjoy their lives with beautiful smiles. We provide options like full, partial, and implant-retained dentures because they offer amazing advantages, including:
- Appearance: If you’ve been hiding your grin in public or for photos because of your tooth loss, dentures will allow you to smile with confidence.
- Convenience: With various options for dentures, we can give you a solution that works best for your smile.
- Health: If you choose implant-retained dentures, dental implants stimulate your jawbone to prevent it from deteriorating after tooth loss.
- Longevity: With proper care, dentures can last for years to come. Just make sure you care for your new smile as instructed.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
The cost of dentures in Owings Mills will vary based on your pattern of tooth loss, and treatment option, and your overall oral health. No two smiles are the same, which is why it’s difficult to give you a precise estimate without examining your mouth first. Implant-retained dentures usually have the highest price tag out of our denture solutions, but their longevity and health benefits can actually save you money in the long run. That’s why the easiest way to receive an estimate is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mattson. After carefully looking over your smile, she’ll be able to develop a personalized treatment plan that includes information like price.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
When we calculate the cost of custom dentures, we take many things into account. First, if we need to take care of any preliminary work, such as tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, or implant placement, these procedures add to the overall cost of treatment. Next, we consider how many teeth need to be replaced; obviously, the more teeth you’re missing, the more your denture is likely to cost. Finally, the material used for the denture, whether acrylic or porcelain, can impact the price of your dentures.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
In general, implant dentures do tend to cost more; after all, this treatment entails getting complex oral surgery. However, most of our patients consider it a worthwhile, long-term investment. Instead of having traditional dentures that can slip within your mouth, with implants you can eat and talk without worrying about your prosthetic teeth. In addition, implant dentures strengthen the jawbone, enabling you to have a more nutritious diet and to enjoy your dentures for decades, not just a few years.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Although variation in coverage is common, most insurance plans include dentures. In fact, about 50 percent of the cost is usually covered. Keep in mind, however, that the implant portion of treatment most often is out-of-pocket. As part of your consultation and discussion with Dr. Mattson, we can go through the financial details of your options so that you know what would and wouldn’t be covered by your insurance benefits. You can count on our team to identify ways to utilize your insurance and save you the most money possible through your policy.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Whether you do or don’t have dental insurance, at Diamond Dental of Owings Mills, we provide plenty of ways to lower the out-of-pocket costs on your dentures. For instance, those who join our dental savings plan get a 10 percent discount on their dentures, as well as a 10 percent discount on implants. If you are considering getting implant dentures, you can also enjoy a complimentary implant consultation with Dr. Mattson and get a clearer idea of how much you’ll owe for treatment.
The Benefits of Dentures
At Diamond Dental of Owings Mills, we want our patients to enjoy their lives with beautiful smiles. We provide options like full, partial, and implant-retained dentures because these replacements offer amazing advantages over living without a complete smile. For instance, with various options for dentures, we can give you a customized solution that works best for your unique situation, but regardless of which one you need, you’ll have plenty of reasons to let your grin show.
Psychological Benefits
Tooth loss can have a significant impact on your mental health. In fact, many people who have missing teeth are embarrassed and feel self-conscious about their mouths. If you’ve been hiding your grin in public or for photos because of your tooth loss, dentures will allow you to smile with confidence again, which is priceless in terms of your overall happiness and mood. Plus, smiling more can help those around you smile as well, brightening their day!
Clearer Enunciation
Teeth don’t just help you bite and chew food; they also assist with pronouncing sounds in language. If you have missing teeth, you may struggle making s, z, f, v, th, and other sounds that require teeth. As a result, communicating clearly with those around you could be more difficult than it used to be. Fortunately, dentures provide the right structure within your mouth that you should be able to create the sounds you want to clearly enunciate your words.
Improves Nutrition
One of the main concerns when you lose teeth is that your ability to eat food becomes limited. In fact, raw fruits and vegetables may not be possible to eat, which means your diet may consist of more processed, unhealthy foods. In many cases, this kind of eating can lead to other health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and impaired quality of life. With dentures, especially implant dentures, you regain the ability to have a more varied, nutritious diet. As a result, you are better equipped to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Preserves Oral Health
If you choose implant-retained dentures, you have the added benefit of better oral health in the long term. Dental implants stimulate your jawbone to prevent it from deteriorating after tooth loss. As a result, you not only get a stronger, more stable bite for now, but you hold onto your facial shape and your biting power for years into the future.
Expands Opportunities
A complete, confident smile opens up opportunities in basically every area. Whether you’re wanting to expand your circle of friends, get a better job, date, or accomplish any goal, dentures can help you feel better about your smile and oral health as well as make a more powerful, positive impression on others.
Caring for your Dentures
Because a full or partial denture is in your mouth the better part of a day, proper hygiene care is important. You need to brush your dentures every day with a soft denture brush. Never use toothpaste on your dentures. Toothpaste can have abrasive particles that might scratch your prosthesis. Just use water when you brush your dentures, and if you can’t brush after a meal, then rinse with water.
You can purchase a denture cleaner at the grocery or pharmacy. A cleaner is not intended to replace daily brushing. However, these can help your dentures look, smell, and taste better.
Here in Owings Mills, Dr. Monica Mattson is dedicated to providing patients of all ages with superior denture treatment that promises quality results. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.