Dentures & Partial Dentures – Mount Pleasant, TX
Bring Back Your Complete Smile
Teeth are absolutely essential for everyday life, and no one understands this better than people who are missing quite a few of them. Speaking, eating, and even feeling good about yourself can all become a struggle with an incomplete smile. For patients dealing with this problem, Dr. Sikes is happy to offer a trusted solution: custom-made dentures. Whether you are missing just a few teeth or all of them, he’ll make sure you leave our office with a smile you’ll always be eager to show off.
Why Choose Us for Dentures & Partial Dentures?
- Partnership with local dental lab
- Custom-made for every patient
- Implant-retained dentures available
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
No matter how many teeth you’ve lost, nearly anyone can get our dentures. Being an adult with tooth loss is usually enough to qualify. Still, you should consult Dr. Sikes before committing to these replacement teeth. He’ll give you an oral exam to see if dentures suit your smile. If you don’t qualify, we can suggest preliminary options that’d make you a good candidate later. We’re also willing to show you our office’s other restorations. So, please keep reading or call us to learn more.
Effects of Missing Teeth
It’s best to review tooth loss causes and effects before you consider dentures. That way, you’ll know how the replacement teeth can benefit your smile.
The truth is that tooth loss can happen for various reasons. For instance, some of your teeth could fall out if they suffer decay or severe infections. Another person may lose a tooth to gum disease – a condition that erodes the tissues supporting it. For the very unlucky, teeth could even get knocked out due to an accident or injury.
While its causes are many, tooth loss has consistent but harsh effects. Perhaps the most notable is how it makes daily tasks – eating, speaking, smiling, etc. – harder. Of course, smile gaps also erode your jaw when missing teeth aren’t addressed. Those same spaces can tilt your remaining teeth as well.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
In general, most adults with missing teeth can qualify for dentures. These restorations don’t tend to have a lot of requirements. However, there are three things you should still note.
First, dentures only work when you have decent oral health. They won’t be able to restore your grin if your gums and jaw are too weak for them. In that scenario, your mouth lacks the support to keep the devices in place. Minor oral issues are exceptions, though; dentures can easily replace sensitive or decayed teeth.
Second is that the number of lost teeth affects the denture you need. If you’ve only lost a few, Dr. Sikes will likely suggest a partial denture to replace them. In contrast, he’ll recommend a full denture when replacing all teeth along an arch.
Finally, finances play a big role in treatment. It turns out that dentures are the least costly tooth replacement option. For that reason, they’re ideal for patients with limited budgets.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Should Dr. Sikes decide you don’t qualify for dentures, never fear; we have other treatments you could try. Just consider the following options:
- Dental Bridges – A dental bridge is a fixed restoration, one that consists of two crowns fused to a pontic (i.e., an artificial tooth). It relies on nearby teeth (i.e., abutments) to secure itself and “bridge” large smile gaps all at once. Notably, placing it removes enamel from the abutments.
- Dental Implants – Dental implants are small titanium posts placed in your jaw’s empty sockets. Once set, they slowly fuse with your jawbone to become parts of your mouth. This security and similar features make dental implants pricey; their benefits tend to raise their cost.
Learn More About Dental Bridges
Learn More About Dental Implants
Modern-Day Dentures
You may be familiar with dentures from TV and movies, or maybe you even have a family member who wears one, but modern-day dentures are very different from the bulky, unnatural-looking prosthetics you may have seen in the past.
Today, dentures are made using specially-designed ceramic teeth that not only look incredibly lifelike, but are extremely strong as well. They are usually attached to an acrylic base designed to look like gum tissue, which helps the denture sit comfortably in the mouth and restore a patient’s original appearance all at once.
Our Denture Options
- Partial Dentures: If you still have some healthy teeth, we can make a partial denture that fills in the gaps like the missing piece of a puzzle. Partials rely on neighboring teeth for support and usually fit into the mouth using small metal clasps that loop around natural dental structure.
- Full Dentures: When an entire row of teeth needs to be replaced, full dentures are the answer. These sit directly on the gums thanks to natural suction/denture adhesive.
- Implant-Retained Dentures: These can look just like the dentures we described above, but the difference is that the prosthetic is attached directly to the jawbone using multiple synthetic tooth roots, or dental implants. This anchors the prosthetic within the jawbone similarly to real teeth, meaning patients don’t ever have to worry about their denture slipping unexpectedly.
Reclaim Your Smile Today
If you’re tired of dealing with your missing teeth or an old, ill-fitting denture, then we recommend giving Dr. Sikes a call. You’ll be scheduled for a consultation, and at this appointment, he’ll go over your available denture options so you can choose the one that best suits you. Then, over the course of multiple appointments, he’ll design the perfect prosthetic just for you.
Ready to have a full smile again? We can give it to you, so call today.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Dentures often become a lifeline for many patients, allowing them to replace multiple missing teeth and regain their quality of life. However, many others know they need dentures but are concerned about the cost. At Robert C. Sikes, D.D.S, we believe in providing affordable, high-quality denture options and education. So, read more below to learn the factors that influence the cost of denture appliances and how we can help you rejuvenate your smile.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
Several factors can affect the overall cost of dentures, including:
- Preparatory Treatments: If teeth need to be extracted or other procedures are required before placing dentures, this can affect the cost.
- Materials Used: The quality of the acrylic for the denture base and the materials used for the replacement teeth (acrylic or porcelain) have a big influence on the overall price of your appliance.
- Customization: Highly personalized dentures that are designed for comfort and aesthetics tend to cost more than more generic options.
It's important to view your dentures as an investment rather than a one-time purchase. Opting for the cheapest options may seem like the best deal, but higher quality materials look better, last longer, and feel more comfortable in your mouth, leading to more long-term satisfaction.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Yes, implant dentures tend to be more expensive than traditional dentures, but they offer significant advantages. Implant dentures are secured in place with dental implants, providing a more permanent and stable bite.
With implant dentures, you won’t need to worry about your prosthetic slipping while you eat or talk. You’ll also have vastly improved chewing ability, and avoid jawbone deterioration that usually comes with tooth loss.
In addition, while traditional dentures often need replacement every 5-7 years, implant dentures can last much longer with proper care, making them a fantastic investment for long-term success.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
In most cases, dental insurance plans are likely to cover a portion of the cost of dentures, typically around 50%. However, coverage can vary depending on your plan. If you need help getting the most out of your benefits, our team can help you verify your coverage details before treatment begins. This lets you plan for any out-of-pocket expenses in advance and allows us the opportunity to file any claims on your behalf.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
At our practice, we strive to make dentures as affordable as possible. We know not everyone can afford dental insurance, so we offer flexible financing options through CareCredit!
This allows you to spread out the cost of your dentures into manageable monthly payments. CareCredit provides interest-free or low-interest plans depending on the length of the payment term, making high-quality dentures more accessible to everyone!
Reach out to our team to learn more about how we can help you finance your new smile!
Dentures FAQs
From partials to implant-retained alternatives, dentures in Mt. Pleasant are a modern tooth-replacement option capable of addressing the smile, bite, and speech issues that come with advanced tooth loss. To confirm that it is the best restorative dentistry option for your unique smile needs, it is important to do your research before committing to treatment. For that reason, we have responded to some of the most frequently asked questions we get from patients here. If you’d prefer to speak directly with our team, contact our office!
What Are The Benefits of Dentures?
According to historians, dentures were used all the way back in 1728! Fortunately, they have come a long way since then. Today, they provide patients with a number of benefits, including:
- Natural-looking appearance: Made from high-quality materials, the gum-colored base and custom-made prosthetic teeth result in an extremely lifelike look.
- Restored bite: Both full and partial dentures can fill in the gaps in your smile, restoring your strong bite. Simply put, you can enjoy your favorite foods pain-free again!
- Enhanced speech: Even one missing tooth can hinder your pronunciation. Fortunately, dentures can renew your smile and leave issues like slurred speech from advanced tooth loss in the past.
- Cost-effective: Dentures have a lower upfront cost than dental implants, which ensures the price doesn’t stand in your way of rebuilding your smile.
- Long-lasting: Although dentures aren’t meant to last a lifetime, they can last 10+ years with proper care.
How Should I Care For My Dentures?
As mentioned above, your dentures can last over a decade. To prolong their lifespan, prioritizing their care is beyond essential. With this in mind, make sure to:
- Brush your prosthetic teeth and the gum-colored base with a denture-friendly toothbrush and cleaner to remove food particles, plaque, and debris.
- Never use household items, like bleach, unless specifically instructed to do so.
- Soak your dentures overnight to preserve their shape and keep them clean.
- Care for any remaining natural teeth with a solid at-home oral hygiene regimen.
- Avoid poor dental habits that can compromise their structure, like chewing on ice or using tobacco products.
- Visit our restorative dentist in Mt. Pleasant frequently for checkups, cleanings, and adjustments.
Can I Eat Normally With Dentures?
Thanks to the high-quality materials they are crafted from, you will be able to eat normally with dentures. That being said, there is a bit of a learning curve, especially if this is your first set. Therefore, it is a good idea to start with soft foods, like yogurt and applesauce. Once you have mastered the movement, you can work your way up to your normal diet. Just make sure to avoid foods that could potentially harm your appliance, like hard candy.
Can I Sleep In My Dentures?
Technically, yes. However, it is a good idea to remove them at night to give your gums a rest. To preserve their shape while simultaneously cleaning them, soak them in a denture-friendly cleaner or glass of water while you rest. That way, they are in tip-top shape come morning!