Dentures – Dallas, TX

Get a Complete, Beautiful Smile

Older woman with dentures in Dallas

Your teeth are designed to last forever, but that doesn’t happen for everyone. Tooth loss is still a prevalent problem, despite the latest innovations in dentistry. If you are missing several or all your teeth, a beautiful smile it’s the only thing you have lost. Your confidence and quality of life also took a hit. We can turn back the clock and restore a stunning, functional smile with dentures in Dallas. They have a bad reputation for looking and feeling fake, but they are more realistic than ever using advanced dental technologies and materials. We can give you the smile you deserve with high-quality dental prosthetics.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?

Older woman smiling

We strive to save every tooth, but there are situations when it’s best to have your teeth replaced, such as from severe infection or tooth decay. If several or all your teeth are compromised or missing, you might be a candidate for dentures. You’ll require a thorough examination by your dentist in Dallas to assess your smile and learn more about your goals. Dr. Greer will create a personalized treatment plan to rehabilitate your mouth. Depending on your needs, you may need preparatory work, such as tooth extractions or periodontal therapy.

Types of Dentures

You have more options than ever to treat your tooth loss. Our office offers both traditional methods and implant-retained solutions. Dr. Greer will explain which will best fit your needs and preferences, including:

Partial Dentures

Digital model of partial denture

Patients who have a few healthy teeth may be a candidate for a partial denture. Unlike a fixed bridge, it can be used to treat nonconsecutive tooth loss. Prosthetic teeth are carefully crafted to match your natural smile. They are affixed to a gum-colored base that has a metal framework, which allows it to clip or clasp in place to look natural.

Full Dentures

Hand holding an upper denture

Full dentures have been used for generations to treat complete tooth loss in an arch. Dr. Greer will take an impression of your mouth to craft an acrylic base. It’s made of durable, comfortable material while also providing a foundation for your replacement teeth. They are designed to meet your exact specifications to get the smile you want. The denture is held in place using suction or an adhesive.

Implant Dentures

Model of implant supported upper denture

As an alternative to a traditional denture, you might be a candidate for dental implants. 4 to 10 implant posts anchor your denture to your jawbone to enjoy unmatched support and stability. This method replaces the roots of your teeth as well to gain many benefits not possible using a conventional denture. Your new smile can last for decades with the proper care.

The Benefits of Dentures

Older man with dentures smiling

Missing teeth is more than just an aesthetic issue. Without most or all of your pearly whites, you’ll likely find it rather challenging to perform certain tasks, such as eating, speaking, and smiling. By replacing your lost teeth with dentures, you’ll be able to enjoy showing off your grin as well as several other kinds of benefits. Here are some of the advantages you can expect by getting well-fitted dentures in Dallas.

Psychological Benefits

a mature man grinning with dentures in Dallas

Missing several or most of your teeth typically comes with several downsides to your psychological well-being. If you have gaps in your smile, you may be less likely to show your smile or mouth, which can build insecurity in your appearance. You might end up foregoing social interactions altogether to avoid even mild embarrassment. By renewing your grin with dentures, you’ll be free to use and show off your teeth, which will boost your self-esteem and reduce anxieties about the way you look or talk.

Clearer Enunciation

man smiling with dentures and hiking with friends

To speak clearly, you’ll typically position your tongue and lips against your teeth for proper enunciation. However, if you’re missing some of them, this can make speech more difficult. Since dentures effectively replace those that you’ve lost, they can make it possible to pronounce certain words and phrases with clarity. This may take a short adjustment time, but you can generally speed up this process with constant practice and repetition.  

Improves Nutrition

woman eating healthy with dentures in Dallas

Many vitamin-rich foods can be tough in texture or difficult to bite into, such as lean meats, carrots, and apples. Without all of your healthy teeth to easily munch and digest your meals, you can end up experiencing issues like indigestion and malnutrition. By restoring your bite with dentures, you shouldn’t expect to struggle with these complications, as you’ll be able to regain your ability to chew effectively. Additionally, your improved nutrition will allow you to receive essential nutrients for promoting better overall health.

Preserves Oral Health

woman smiling with dentures in Dallas

Any remaining natural teeth can start to shift out of place to fill in gaps in your smile, as they won’t have the same support as before. Dentures replace missing pearly whites as well as prevent any other ones from moving around. Not only can this help avoid further tooth loss, but your restorations can help bear some of the pressure of chewing, minimizing the risk of wear and tear on your natural teeth.

Expands Opportunities

a businesswoman smiling with dentures in Dallas

Did you know your smile is one of the first things people notice when meeting you? Therefore, if you’re going on a date or preparing for a job interview, you’ll likely want to look your utmost, which includes a full set of teeth. By replacing missing ones with dentures, you can feel more confident about your grin, which can improve your initial impressions with others, boosting your personal and professional opportunities.

 

Understanding the Cost of Dentures 

Money being clinched in a set of dentures

When we make you a prosthetic, it’ll be tailored to your specific needs and customized to fit you. While that’s part of what makes our prosthetics as incredible as they are, it also makes it a little bit tricky to pin down what they’ll cost before designing them.

That said, we will do everything that we can to be transparent about pricing. We will of course give you a complete estimate of what care will cost once we meet you, but until then, here are a few things worth knowing if you want to budget for dentures.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

Dentures in a glass

When it comes to pricing out dentures, there are a couple of factors that you’ll need to consider. The first is whether there are any preliminary procedures that you’ll need before you get your prosthetic, like tooth extractions.

Then there’s the construction of the dentures themselves. The type of acrylic used for the base and the materials that the “teeth” are made out of can vary depending on your individual needs, and the particular materials that are used will affect the cost in one way or another.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive? 

Implant dentures sitting on a table

Implant dentures are the same regular dentures, with one key difference—they’re attached to metal posts surgically implanted into the jaw. This affords them greater stability, better realism, and much more durability.

The fact that implant dentures require surgery does mean that overall treatment will cost more. However, implant dentures also last considerably longer than traditional ones do, meaning that you’re likely to save money in the long run on replacements.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Dental benefits form on a table

Dentures are typically considered to be a major restorative procedure, which means that your dental plan is usually going to cover at least a portion of the procedure. However, every dental plan is a little bit different, which means that it’s important to flesh out the details with your insurance company. We’ll be happy to help you with this process.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Cash lying on a table with a dental mirror on it

Even if you don’t have insurance, we have options to help you get the dental care that you need. For one, we often work with CareCredit, which is a health and wellness financing firm that can break dental care costs into more manageable payments.

CareCredit even offers 6-month-no-interest loans that may put care into your reach. Give us a call and we’ll help you navigate the cost of dental care.

Denture FAQs

Questions about dentures in Dallas

You can conquer the challenges of tooth loss with dentures in Dallas; however, they are a big investment. Dr. Greer will take the time to explain everything during your consultation to feel confident in the decision you are making for your oral health and quality of life. In the meantime, here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions.

Does it hurt to get dentures?

It’s not unusual for patients to require tooth extractions before getting dentures. If you need to have a tooth or more removed, you can expect mild discomfort for 3 to 5 days after your extractions. You can take an OTC pain reliever to manage it. After receiving your denture, it can take your mouth a couple of days to adjust to wearing the appliance. You can experience some irritation for a few days; however, every patient differs. If your pain doesn’t improve, it’s best to call your denture dentist in Dallas, Dr. Greer. He’ll ensure your dentures are fitting correctly and there aren’t any oral health issues causing the irritation.

Can I sleep with my dentures?

Dr. Greer will instruct you to wear your dentures for 24 hours after receiving them. After the first day, you’ll need to get in the habit of taking them out at night. While you don’t want to be caught without your teeth, your oral and general health rely on it. Your dentures will restrict blood circulation to your gums, which can lead to sores and irritation if the soft tissues aren’t given a break. Removing your teeth before bed allows your gums to get the nutrients they need to recover. Your mouth is also a dark, moist environment. Harmful oral bacteria can get out of control quickly, leading to health and dental problems, like infections. Taking your dentures out allows you to clean your mouth well to keep your smile and body healthy. You’ll also reduce unpleasant odors and prolong the lifespan of your new smile. Don’t forget to clean your dentures well and place them in an overnight soaking solution before calling it a day.

Can I use regular toothpaste to clean my dentures?

Your dentures will closely look and function like your real teeth; however, they can’t be cleaned the same way. Abrasive dental products, like toothpaste, can leave small scratches on their surfaces. Not only can this tarnish their appearance, but bacteria and food particles can get trapped in the small crevices. This can cause unpleasant odors and affect the lifespan of your dentures. Instead, it’s best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild hand soap or dishwashing liquid to clean them. There are also store-bought cleaning products designed for denture wearers. When brushing your dentures, don’t use hot water to rinse them because it can cause them to warp. Take care when handling them to avoid dropping or damaging the prosthetic. Besides caring for your dentures at home, don’t forget to visit your dentist for a cleaning and checkup every 6 months.

How Long Will You Have to Wait to Get Dentures After Your Teeth Are Pulled?

If you require extracting some of your teeth before getting dentures, you’ll have to allow yourself time to recover. This will give your gums the chance to heal and provide additional time to develop well-fitted dentures. Although the exact timeframe will depend on the kind of restoration you choose, the average recovery period may take between six to eight weeks before moving forward with your treatment. However, if you’re opting for implant dentures, then you’ll need to wait about four to six months to allow the metal posts to fuse properly with your jawbone via osseointegration.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

The kind of restoration you’ll qualify for will depend on your specific dental needs. There are mainly three types of dentures: partial dentures, full dentures, and implant dentures. Each will have a different requirement for getting it. Partial dentures (or partials) are typically ideal for patients who have the majority of their teeth. Their dental loss may have been due to malnutrition, oral disease, or simply an accident. /p>

Full dentures are designed to help you if you’ve lost all of your teeth (or you don’t have enough healthy pearly whites that can be saved). This might occur because of more serious issues like bone loss, severe periodontal disease, and other oral health conditions. If you have ample jawbone density, you might be able to receive implant-supported dentures for superior stability and longevity. You can potentially restore lost jawbone mass by undergoing a bone graft.

Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?

When first receiving your dentures, it may take some time to grow accustomed to talking with them. This is because your mouth will have been used to speaking with your natural teeth in place. You may even develop a mild (and temporary) lisp because of the changes in your palate. This adjustment period may vary from patient to patient, however, the more you practice, the quicker and smoother the process will be to improve your speech.

For this reason, you’ll want to take the time to pronounce difficult sounds and words to get used to how your dentures work. You should also read aloud to yourself to build your confidence, and make sure to talk slowly and steadily, as fast speech can end up sounding muffled. If your dentures tend to shift while you talk, bite down and swallow before speaking to get them back in position. You may even use denture adhesive for extra stability, especially during this adjustment phase.

What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?

While you can eat most of your favorite foods with dentures, some may increase the risk of shifting your new teeth out of place. You’ll want to stay away from eating sticky foods such as gummy candies and peanut butter, which are difficult to chew, can easily move your dentures around, and may have particles get stuck underneath your restorations, leading to gum irritation. Meals that are too hard may be more challenging to eat, as they can damage your teeth replacements on top of shifting them. These can include popcorn, nuts, apples, and corn on the cob. You may even want to avoid tough meats like pork chops and steak so that you won’t have to chew excessively.