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.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Missing teeth can have serious consequences for your health and quality of life. The good news is that most
people who have suffered moderate to severe tooth loss can get dentures to reclaim a complete and confident
smile. When you visit us for your restorative consultation, we will examine your mouth and learn a bit about you
before we recommend a treatment plan. Even if you are not currently a candidate for the type of denture you
desire, you may become one after some preliminary procedures.
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Effects of Missing Teeth
Gum disease, accidents, genetic factors, and past lifestyle decisions can all contribute to tooth loss.
Regardless of why your smile is incomplete, your condition may present a number of challenges in your
daily life. For example, you might find it difficult to eat a nutritious and delicious variety of foods.
You may feel self-conscious about your appearance due to the gaps in your smile or the loss of fullness
in your cheeks. You might even find it difficult to speak clearly and with confidence.
Fortunately, dentures have the potential to greatly enhance your daily quality of life.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Dentures may be right for you if:
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You have lost all or most of your teeth throughout a dental arch. If you have only
lost one or two teeth, a different form of tooth replacement may be a better option.
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Your jawbone and gums are healthy enough to support dentures. You should be free of
active gum disease and have adequate bone structure to support your prosthetic.
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You are looking for a cost-effective way to replace your lost teeth. Dentures tend
to be more affordable than other forms of tooth replacement.
Alternative Tooth Replacement Options
If dentures are not quite right for you, you may qualify for one of the following tooth replacement
options instead:
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A fixed bridge. This type of restoration is attached to the remaining natural teeth
and uses pontics (artificial teeth) to “bridge” an empty space. Fixed bridges are very
strong and can last for 10 years or longer if they receive proper care.
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Dental implants. Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots. They can bond with the
jawbone and provide an incredibly strong base of support for crowns, bridges, and dentures. Due to
their many benefits, they are frequently regarded as the best form of tooth replacement.
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Dental Implants
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.
