If you’re missing teeth, you know just how hard it can be to complete daily tasks, like eating, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence. This is more common than you may think, with 6.4% of Canadians missing all of their teeth. The good news is that just because you’ve lost teeth doesn’t mean that you need to go the rest of your life without them. At Crowsnest Dental in Blairmore, Alberta, we offer customized dentures to restore the appearance and function of your smile. To find out if this affordable solution to tooth loss is right for you, give us a call to schedule a consultation.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Dentures are an ideal option for patients who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. Depending on the number of teeth that you’re missing and where they are located in the mouth, a personalized plan can be catered just for you. If you currently have any oral health issues, like tooth decay or gum disease, they will need to be addressed and eliminated before you can get dentures. Your oral health is always our number one priority at Crowsnest Dental.
Types of Dentures
There are several different types of dentures available to meet a variety of needs. During your initial consultation at Crowsnest Dental, we will determine which of the following will best restore your smile:
Partial Dentures
This option is ideal for patients who still have some healthy teeth remaining. A partial denture fits between the surrounding teeth like a puzzle piece. This way, missing teeth in different locations throughout the mouth can be replaced with a single restoration for each affected arch.
Full Dentures
This option replaces an entire arch of missing teeth either on the top or bottom. Instead of being held in by clasps, traditional dentures are held into place by the shape and natural suction of the mouth. Full dentures are made with a gum-colored base and hold natural-looking replacement teeth into place.
Implant Dentures
If you want a sturdier, longer-lasting tooth replacement option, dental implant dentures are a great solution. These dentures are held in place with titanium, screw-like implants that are surgically placed in the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. They allow for additional bite force and prevent bone loss from occurring over time as a result of tooth loss.
The Benefits of Dentures
Here are some of the many benefits you can expect to experience when you get dentures at Crowsnest Dental in Blairmore, Alberta:
- Allows for easier eating
- Prevents movement of surrounding teeth
- Covered by most dental insurance plans
- Improves speech
- Natural appearance
- Removable for easy cleaning
- Increases confidence
- Supports facial muscles
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
If you’re excited about all of the benefits that dentures have to offer, you might also be curious about how much they will end up costing if you decide to commit to receiving them. Here at Crowsnest Dental, our team is happy to work with you to ensure that you fully understand the cost of dentures and that you’re able to maximize your benefits, lower your out-of-pocket expenses, and get your smile the restoration it needs! Keep reading to learn more about the cost of dentures or feel free to give us a call for additional information or to schedule a consultation.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
Your dentures will be customized for your specific smile, meaning that we can’t give you an exact estimate for the cost of your restoration until you schedule a consultation with us. Upon doing so, our team will be able to examine your situation and provide an estimate of what you’ll likely pay for your treatment so that there are no surprises in your bill. The cost of your dentures will depend on several factors such as:
- The severity of your tooth loss.
- The materials used in your restorations.
- Any necessary preliminary dental treatments such as periodontal therapy or tooth extractions.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures are different from standard dentures in that they’re surgically embedded into your jawbone with the assistance of dental implants. This provides an exceptional amount of foundational support for the dentures; however, since oral surgery is required for implant dentures, you can expect a higher initial price for this kind of restoration. That said, implant dentures are well worth the cost in that they can last for several decades and provide you with many awesome benefits including preserved facial structure and increased bite force.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Dentures are deemed as essential for restoring and preserving your oral health, meaning that many insurance providers can cover at least a portion of the cost. Since the details of every plan differ, it’s important to double-check your coverage with your provider before committing to treatment! We’re happy to assist you with navigating the details of your insurance plan to ensure that you’re making the most of your benefits and minimizing your out-of-pocket costs. Don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation to learn more about your options for making dentures more affordable!
Denture FAQs
Dentures are a life-changing tooth replacement option for people who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. However, you may still have some unanswered questions, so we’re here to help! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dentures in Blairmore, Alberta. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, just give us a call. We’d be happy to walk you through the process and get you started with an initial consultation.
Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?
Repairing a damaged tooth whenever possible is always preferable to replacing it. Tooth extractions of any kind will only be recommended if deemed absolutely necessary, like when the tooth is too damaged to save thanks to extensive decay, severe infection, or trauma that has broken off most of the enamel. If all of the teeth in an arch are decayed or infected with gum disease, replacing them with dentures may be a viable option, but your dentist will always explore all of your options before recommending extractions for dentures.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
Dentists generally recommend taking your dentures out at night when you go to bed. When you first get your dentures, you will typically be told to keep them in your mouth for 24 hours, including while you sleep, but after this, you should be taking them out every evening. This is because wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft-tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. Taking dentures out at night gives the gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need as you catch some Zs.
Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?
If you need to have teeth extracted before you can get dentures, you are likely to experience some discomfort after the oral surgery. Take your prescribed pain medication only as directed. The discomfort should improve 3 to 5 days after the procedure. When you first receive new dentures, you may experience some minor irritation as you get used to them. If any pain or discomfort persists, give us a call so we can help!
Will Dentures Change the Shape of My Face?
When you lose teeth, your facial muscles will begin to sag, and this can give your face a sunken appearance. Getting dentures will mean providing support to those facial muscles that have collapsed, therefore giving you a more youthful appearance. Ill-fitting dentures may not provide proper support, so it’s important that you give us a call if you think that your dentures aren’t fitting as well as they could.