Dentures Owings Mills

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. 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.

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 an incomplete smile, you may struggle to make 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 to help you create the sounds you want so that you can 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 want to expand your circle of friends, get a better job or a date, or accomplish a certain goal, dentures can help you feel better about your smile and oral health as well as make a more powerful, positive impression on others.

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 final price.

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 of dentures is usually covered. Keep in mind, however, that the implant portion of the treatment often needs to be paid for 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 of 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.