A gaping hole in your smile can be embarrassing and make you feel more self-conscious about smiling in front of your
friends, family, and co-workers. But your appearance shouldn’t be your only concern. Even one missing tooth
can make it harder for you to eat the foods you love, and it can disrupt the balance of your bite, causing your
other teeth to wear down faster. And of course, your mouth won’t be able to function correctly if you end up
losing all your teeth.
If you or a loved one is dealing with extensive tooth loss, don’t let it disrupt your quality of life; contact
Downtown Family Dental of Leesburg right away. Dr. Pham can provide you with a partial or full denture that fits
comfortably in your mouth and restores your smile along with your ability to speak and chew normally.
Partial Dentures
Some patients only have a few teeth missing, or they still have healthy teeth that they want to preserve. In
these cases, partial dentures are normally used. There are two types of partials you can get: removable or
fixed.
With removable partial dentures, the false teeth are attached to a metal frame that’s held in place with
metal clasps. The advantage of a removable partial is that it can replace missing teeth in multiple areas at
once. Each partial is designed with the help of an impression of your natural teeth, ensuring that it fits
correctly and doesn’t stand out in your mouth. As the name implies, you can take your removable partials
out at any time for cleaning.
Fixed partials are more commonly known as fixed bridges. Two crowns hold a false tooth or teeth between them and
are attached to the teeth on either side of the gap. In some cases, we might not be able to use the surrounding
teeth for support, or we may see an opportunity to preserve the natural tooth structure; in either case, the
bridge can be supported by dental implants.
Full Dentures
In the case that you’ve lost most of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, you’re likely to need a
full denture – an entire arch of false teeth attached to a gum colored base. A full denture for the lower
jaw will be shaped to avoid covering your tongue; if it’s for the upper jaw, we’ll need to decide
whether it should cover the roof of your mouth.
Full dentures are carefully designed so that they won’t slip out of place while you’re chewing or
speaking. When dentures are properly fitted, natural suction is enough to hold them in place, although you can
use an adhesive for added security. You can normally expect your dentures to last for about 10 years or longer,
although you’ll probably need several periodic adjustments before then.
Compared to other kinds of tooth replacement, partial dentures and full dentures tend to be less costly;
however, this largely depends on the extent of said tooth loss. Talk to Dr. Pham about your oral health needs as
well as ways to ensure that your restoration is affordable. Don’t forget to check your dental insurance to
see what kind of benefits are offered when it comes to tooth replacement!
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
The cost of dentures will vary for each patient, as every case is entirely different. There are many different
factors that contribute to the price. During your initial consultation with us, we can determine exactly how
much you can expect your new restoration to cost. In the meantime, here are some things for you to keep in mind.
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Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
Here are the major factors that will determine the cost of your new dentures:
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The preparation before you get your dentures will contribute to the overall cost. This includes
preliminary treatments, like gum disease therapy and tooth extractions, when needed.
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The materials used for the base and replacement teeth. The base is typically made from acrylic while
replacement teeth can be crafted with acrylic or porcelain.
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The number of teeth you are having replaced with contribute to the price. The more teeth, the more
the restoration will cost.
Remember that a cheaper denture doesn’t necessarily mean a better denture. If you end up opting
for a budget restoration, it will be more likely to require repairs and replacements in a shorter period
of time. When you invest more in your restoration, you will see the difference in quality.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures cost more than traditional dentures, but there is good reason for it. Instead of being
supported by the shape and suction of the gums, they are held into place by a series of dental implants
that are placed in the jawbone via a surgical procedure. This allows for additional benefits, like being
more lifelike, having additional stability, and lasting for several decades.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Patients can usually expect some level of coverage with most dental insurance plans. Many provide up to
50% coverage, but this varies depending on the plan that you have. At Downtown Family Dental of
Leesburg, we are in-network with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Delta Dental, and Metlife, but we also welcome
out-of-network providers. If you have any questions or need help, talk to one of our friendly team
members.
To learn exactly how much you can expect your dentures to cost, schedule a consultation with us.
We’re eager to help you get your smile back!
Denture FAQs
Dentures are a lifechanging tooth replacement option for people who are missing several, most of, or all of their
teeth! However, choosing the correct restoration for you is a huge decision, so it pays to be well-informed. Here
are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dentures in Leesburg. If you don’t see
the information that you’re looking for below, give us a call. We’d be happy to explain
more about the process of getting dentures and schedule you for an initial consultation.
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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 ever be recommended if deemed absolutely necessary, like when a tooth is too damaged to save thanks to
extensive decay, severe infection, or trauma. If all of the teeth in an arch are either 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’ll typically be told to keep them in your mouth for 24 hours, including when 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.
Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?
If you need to have teeth extracted before you can get dentures, you’re likely to experience some discomfort
after oral surgery, but this can be managed with recommended over-the-counter and prescribed pain medication. The
discomfort should improve 3 to 5 days after your procedure. When you first receive new dentures, some minor
irritation may occur while your mouth adjusts to the new appliance. The amount of time that the discomfort lasts
will vary from person to person. If this persists, give us a call so we can take a look.
Will Dentures Change the Shape of My Face?
When you lose your teeth, your facial muscles will start to sag, and this can give your face a sunken appearance.
Getting dentures will mean providing support to facial muscles that have collapsed. Ill-fitting dentures may not
give your facial muscles the proper support they need, so it’s important that your restoration fits perfectly
in your mouth. If your denture doesn’t fit properly, you should have it refitted or replaced as soon as
possible.
