Dentures – Downers Grove, IL

Effects of Missing Teeth

A person can end up losing their teeth for many reasons, such as facial trauma, tooth decay, and gum disease. Certain systemic health conditions can also cause a person to not have their full smile. In terms of the consequences of tooth loss, the American Academy of Periodontology reports that many complications can occur, including:

• Difficulty speaking
• Trouble eating or chewing
• Facial sagging
• Jawbone deterioration
• Further tooth loss

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Our team will first have to perform a complete examination of your oral health to determine if you’re a good candidate for dentures. We may recommend this tooth-replacement option for patients who are experiencing significant tooth loss, have jawbone and gum issues, or struggling with tooth sensitivity or decay. Even if we decide that you’re eligible for the treatment, you’ll have to be committed to maintaining great oral hygiene to make the most of your brand-new teeth.

The kind of denture you’ll get will also depend on the number of teeth you’re missing. Your options can include partial, full, or even implant dentures. For those who are on a budget, traditional dentures will likely be your ideal and cost-effective solution for renewing your complete smile.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Even if you aren’t a candidate for dentures, or you don’t think they’re the right solution for you, there are alternative treatments you can explore to replace your missing teeth, including:

• Dental bridges – If you have one or several missing teeth in a row, then a dental bridge can be your best option. This restoration is meant to fill the gap in your smile by clasping to the adjacent, healthy pearly whites on either side of the space. The pontics (prosthetic teeth) will rest atop your gums.
• Dental implants – These titanium posts will be directly embedded into the jawbone to provide the ultimate support for your restorations. Since they’ll serve as your new permanent roots, they’ll promote bone growth and preserve your jawbone and facial shape. With proper care, your results can last several decades to a lifetime.

Learn More About Dental Bridges Learn More About Dental Implants

What are Dentures Made Of?

In general, dentures are made of two parts: a base and a set of artificial teeth. Each of these components is necessary for treatment to work. Consider, then, the descriptions below:

• Denture Base – A denture’s base supports its artificial teeth. Labs can make one from various materials, including acrylic, porcelain, metal, and nylon. Still, the used substances differ based on the type of denture needed.
• Artificial Teeth – Artificial teeth are a denture’s tooth-replacing portions. Most are made from resin or porcelain so that they look (and feel) lifelike. However, porcelain is only used for full dentures due to being abrasive on adjacent teeth.

The Denture Creation Process

Each denture is customized for a unique patient’s mouth, so creating one involves a multi-step process. Here’s a brief rundown of what those steps look like:

• Step 1: Your dentist takes a dental impression of your upper and lower gums. The resulting model is sent to a lab to help create the dentures.
• Step 2: After being crafted, the lab returns the wax dentures to the dentist/prosthodontist for a fitting. Should the patient and dentist approve, the restorations are sent to the lab for completion.
• Step 3: A technician boils the dentures to remove their wax portions. They then place the appliance in a flask to pour plaster. From there, the flask is placed in hot water to melt the dentures.
• Step 4: The lab worker makes holes in the artificial teeth so new material can attach. A liquid separator is also added to the plaster layer to prevent the acrylic from sticking. The same acrylic is then injected into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 5: The worker removes the plaster to reveal the prosthetics. Later, they place the dentures in an ultrasonic bath to remove leftover plaster.
• Step 6: After cutting away excess acrylic, the technical polishes the restorations
• Step 7: The patient returns to the office for fitting and final adjustments.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

As you start wearing dentures, it’s normal to feel some discomfort. In particular, you might have mild soreness and difficulty speaking and eating. Even so, you can rest assured that your mouth will adjust over time. The restorations will even begin to feel similar to natural teeth.

Of course, there are ways you can speed up this adjustment. One, for instance, is only eating soft foods for a while. Another, meanwhile, is exercising your face. You could also try experimenting with adhesives.

In the event your denture discomfort persists, reach out to us quickly. It’s possible that the prosthetics need further tuning.

Psychological Benefits

Those who are missing teeth often struggle with the negative consequences to their mental well-being. Since you might feel insecure about your smile, you may tend to cover up or hide your mouth, or you might avoid social interactions altogether. Instead of experiencing a decline in your self-esteem, consider replacing your missing teeth with dentures for lifelike results. Not only will you enjoy your smile again, but you’ll also lower your anxiety about your appearance, chewing ability, speech, and more!

Clearer Enunciation

Did you know that people typically require their teeth in order to pronounce words and sounds? This is because our tongues and lips often need to be positioned properly against our pearly whites to enunciate things. If you’re missing teeth and find it difficult to speak clearly, make sure to restore your smile with dentures. It may take some time to get accustomed to talking with them, but some practice and repetition can quicken the process.

Improves Nutrition

Some foods can be difficult to chew, including fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. If you don’t have enough of your teeth, you can end up experiencing complications such as malnutrition and indigestion, as you won’t be able to grind and chew properly. With dentures, you can expand your dietary choices and maintain better nutrition, which can directly promote better oral and overall health in the long run.

Preserves Oral Health

Whenever you lose teeth, your jawbone can begin to deteriorate due to a lack of stimulation in the bone tissue. On top of that, any remaining natural pearly whites will start to move out of place to fill the gaps, which can result in further tooth loss. By wearing well-fitted dentures, you can help prevent your other teeth from shifting as well as from wearing down due to excessive chewing.

Expands Opportunities

Most people will notice your smile when meeting you for the first time. This means your teeth can be highly important during social interactions, including job interviews or even a date. To improve your personal and professional opportunities, you should consider renewing your full and beautiful smile with dentures. Once you feel comfortable showing off your new teeth, people will start to perceive you as more outgoing, competent, and attractive!

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

At Esplanade Dental Care, our team of experts is ready to help you regain a fully functional, aesthetically pleasing smile. While evaluating your oral cavity during an initial consultation, we will consider the following three factors when determining your expected costs:

• Do you require any preliminary treatments (i.e., bone grafting, periodontal therapy, tooth extraction)? If so, you can expect these to be incorporated into the breakdown of your costs.
• The type of material used to create the base of your denture. Most are typically made of acrylic.
• The materials used to create your artificial teeth, which are usually either acrylic or porcelain.

Although dentures in Downers Grove are not a cheap venture, it is far better if you invest in high-quality materials instead of looking for cheaper, less expensive options. Remember, the amount you pay often reflects the quality you receive.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

If you are considering implant dentures as opposed to traditional prosthetics, yes, you can expect them to be more expensive. The reason is that they do not sit on top of your gums and rely on your natural suction. Instead, they are surgically placed into your jawbone for added stability. The material (titanium) fuses well with bone and creates a firm foundation for your new smile. Unlike traditional dentures that require adjustments and replacements every 5-10 years, implant dentures are designed to last at least 30 years or longer with proper care and maintenance. This is just one of the many reasons millions of adults in the United States are already living with dental implants.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Most dental insurance companies are pleased to provide available coverage for dentures. Depending on the categorization of these prosthetics, it is possible your insurer will pay anywhere from 50-80% of the total cost. However, you must first meet your deductible, and you can expect them to consider how much of your annual maximum is remaining. If you’re unsure how your policy works and what you should be looking for to determine your estimated savings, our team will be happy to assist. We will even work on your behalf with the insurance company to ensure you receive maximum coverage and savings when pursuing your denture treatment.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

If you’re uninsured or need help to pay the remaining balance after filing a claim with your insurance company, our denture dentist in Downers Grove is pleased to partner with CareCredit. This third-party financier offers low and zero interest payment plans to make receiving dentures easier on you and your wallet. By breaking up the cost of your treatment, you can better budget and make monthly installments without breaking the bank.

Removable Dentures

Remove After Eating

You should take out and rinse your dentures after every meal. Not only will this help keep food particles and bacteria from collecting on your prosthetics, but this will also give you a chance to clean your gum line. When rinsing your dentures, be sure to not use hot water, as higher temperatures can warp the material and ruin the fit.

Clean Your Restoration

Be sure to also remove your dentures whenever it’s time to clean them. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid wearing the material out, and use unscented hand soap or denture cleanser to scrub with. Regular toothpaste can be too abrasive for your prosthetics. If you’re not putting them back in, store them in a container of water/denture solution. If you are, rinse them off beforehand, as you won’t want to ingest these cleaning materials.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Place a towel underneath you just in case you accidentally drop your dentures while brushing them. This can help you avoid damaging or breaking them and ruining your treatment. When you aren’t wearing them, make sure to store them out of reach of pets and small children.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

It’s highly recommended that you take out your dentures before sleeping. Leaving them in can increase the risk of gum irritation, bacteria growth, plaque, and pneumonia. Instead, keep them soaked overnight in denture solution or water to keep them moist and bacteria-free until you wear them again.

Notice Changes

While you have your dentures, be sure to keep watch for any changes or abnormalities. These can include gum irritation, mouth sores, or even signs of oral infection. If you start to feel your prosthetics are loose or ill-fitted, notify your dentist right away for help. They can evaluate your situation, address any underlying issues, and help you realign or even replace your dentures.

All-on-4 Dentures

Although All-on-4 dentures are similar to traditional ones, you typically won’t have to take them out to clean them. Simply use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to maintain their health and beauty. Don’t use products with baking soda or stain-removing substances, as these can ruin the material. Be sure to also use floss threaders to reach between the base of your dentures and your gum line to remove any debris, food particles, and bacteria that might collect there. Rinse with mouthwash every day to avoid plaque and tartar growth.

Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?

If possible, the best course of action will always be to repair a damaged tooth rather than replace it. Tooth extractions are only recommended if they’re absolutely necessary, like when a tooth is damaged beyond repair thanks to decay, an infection, or trauma. Although there is no limit to the number of teeth that can be removed in one appointment, some extractions are more difficult to perform than others. Of course, during your consultation, your dentist will discuss all of your options with you before recommending extractions for dentures in Downers Grove.

Can I Sleep with Dentures?

When you first get your dentures, your dentist will instruct you to keep them in your mouth for about 24 hours, including sleep. However, you must remove them every night before bed after that first day. Neglecting to do so can restrict the circulation in your gums, causing soft tissue irritation and speeding up ridge resorption. Additionally, sleeping with dentures can increase your risk of pneumonia and plaque buildup. By taking your dentures out nightly, you allow your gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need while you sleep.

Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?

Do you need to have teeth extracted before getting dentures? If so, you’ll likely experience some discomfort after oral surgery. As long as you take your prescribed medication as directed, your discomfort should resolve within 3 to 5 days following the procedure. When you first get your dentures, you may experience mild irritation while your mouth adjusts to the oral appliance. Although it could take months for the discomfort to fade, the exact amount of time truly varies from person to person. If you’re experiencing persistent or worsening pain after getting your dentures, you should contact your dentist in Downers Grove right away. They’ll identify the underlying problem and address it as needed.

Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?

Initially, you may find it difficult to speak with your dentures because you’re so used to using your natural teeth. Because of the changes in your palate, you might develop a lisp or impediment at first. Luckily, these speech alterations will eventually go away with time and practice.

Here are a few tips to help you out:

• Read aloud constantly and repeat words that are difficult to pronounce
• Speak slowly and enunciate
• Bite down on your dentures and swallow before you begin talking to ensure your oral appliance is in its proper position

Why Do My Dentures Smell?

Dentures can start to smell for various reasons. For starters, they might trap food bits that attract smelly bacteria. Ill-fitting dentures can also irritate gum tissue, resulting in sores with bad odors. The wearer could also have a dry mouth, which allows microbes to cause foul breath.

Luckily, there are ways to avoid smelly dentures. The best option is to clean your dentures daily with a toothbrush and cleanser. On the other hand, you could soak the prosthetics in a disinfecting solution nightly. Regardless, it’s also a good idea to rinse your dentures after every meal.

Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?

True enough, dentures should be brushed and rinsed daily. However, you mustn’t use regular toothpaste for this job.

You see, most standard toothpastes are abrasive. They leave microscopic scratches on the surface of your dentures. In doing so, they can severely damage your new teeth. (For similar reasons, you shouldn’t use a hard-bristled toothbrush either; use a soft-bristled one instead.)

Of course, you can compensate for the lack of toothpaste. Simply clean your dentures with hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid. In particular, try doing so after your meals.

Will Dentures Change the Shape of My Face?

As a matter of fact, yes – dentures will change your face’s shape. That said, this isn’t a bad thing; the change will help your looks!

If you didn’t already know, your face sags when you lose teeth. It needs all your pearly whites to support its muscles and maintain your jawbone. So, lacking them causes your face to look hollow and old.

Still, dentures can support those sagging muscles. That means they’ll help your face look fuller and youthful. You’d need to make sure they fit well, though. Ill-fitting dentures won’t support your cheeks and jaw correctly.

Can I Have My Dentures Relined if They Don’t Fit Properly?

Yes, you can have dentures relined if they don’t fit properly. Changes in how they meld to a face are common enough. (They might wear and tear, suffer broken teeth, or not align with shifts in your bone structure.) As such, dentists offer regular reline services.

The relining you need will depend on your situation. A soft reline will cushion the prosthetics if your gums are sensitive to dentures’ weight. Meanwhile, a hard reline can be done for more extensive changes. If the dentures cause mouth sores, you might get a temporary reline to heal your tissues. No matter its type, though, remember that dental insurance won’t often cover a reline.