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Your Solution for Missing Teeth and a Confident Smile
Are you struggling with missing teeth? Complete dentures offer a reliable and affordable way to restore your smile, confidence, and oral function. At our North East, PA, dental office, we provide personalized denture solutions designed to fit your lifestyle and restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile comfortably.
Whether due to decay, gum disease, or injury, complete dentures provide a functional and aesthetic solution that can transform your smile and enhance your overall health. Contact us at (814) 725-4700 to schedule your denture consultation today!
What Are Complete Dentures?
Complete dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace an entire arch of missing teeth, either on the upper, lower, or both jaws. Made from durable acrylic materials, complete dentures are customized to fit each patient’s mouth, ensuring comfort and functionality. Held in place by suction or denture adhesive, these artificial teeth allow you to regain your ability to eat and speak without worry.
Components of Complete Dentures
- Base: The acrylic base is designed to mimic the appearance of natural gums.
- Teeth: The prosthetic teeth are typically made from acrylic or porcelain and are designed to resemble natural teeth.
- Flange: This is the part of the denture that extends into the cheeks and lips, aiding in denture retention.
Types of Complete Dentures
There are a few different types of complete dentures available, including:
- Conventional Dentures: Placed after the gums have fully healed following tooth removal. A conventional complete denture provides a more secure and comfortable fit once healing is complete.
- Immediate Dentures: Offered immediately after tooth extraction of the remaining teeth, allowing you to have teeth during the healing process. These dentures may require adjustments or relining as your gums heal and shrink.
- Implant-Supported Dentures: For added stability, dental implants can be used to anchor your dentures. Compared to conventional complete dentures, this option offers greater comfort and security, particularly for lower jaw dentures, reducing the need for adhesives.
Benefits of Complete Dentures
Complete dentures offer several benefits for individuals who have lost all of their natural teeth, including:
- Improved Aesthetics: Dentures restore a natural appearance to the face as they replace missing teeth, supporting the lips and cheeks, and preventing the sunken-in look often associated with tooth loss.
- Enhanced Chewing and Speaking: Dentures enable individuals to chew food more effectively, which aids digestion and nutrition. They also help in clearer speech, preventing slurring or mumbling caused by missing teeth.
- Restored Oral Function: Complete dentures allow people to regain the ability to eat a wider variety of foods, including those that require more chewing, leading to a more balanced diet.
- Easy to Maintain: Removable dentures are relatively easy to clean and maintain. Regular cleaning and proper hygiene practices can help ensure their longevity and prevent issues like bad breath or oral infections.
- Cost-Effective: Complete dentures are generally more affordable than other tooth replacement options like dental implants, making them a viable choice for individuals on a budget.
- Customization: Dentures can be customized to fit the individual’s mouth comfortably. Modern denture materials and techniques allow for a better fit and improved comfort.
- Minimal Healing Time: Unlike dental implants that require healing time after surgery, dentures can be worn almost immediately after they are fitted and adjustments are made.
Steps to Getting Complete Dentures
You can expect to go through the following steps when getting complete dentures:
- Consultation & Examination: We’ll evaluate your oral health and discuss your goals to determine the best denture option for you.
- Impressions & Measurements: Accurate molds are taken using the latest digital impression techniques to ensure a precise fit.
- Denture Try-In: Before finalizing your dentures, we’ll test a preliminary model to check for fit, comfort, and bite alignment.
- Adjustments: After any necessary adjustments, you’ll receive your complete dentures and be provided with aftercare instructions to ensure longevity.
Because we have an in-house dental lab, the denture development process takes from a few hours to a week. Your North East dentist will provide you with an accurate timeline of your treatment plan.
Candidacy for Complete Dentures
To qualify for complete dentures, several factors must be considered, including:
- Complete tooth loss
- Good oral health
- Strong jawbone
- Realistic expectations
- Commitment to oral hygiene
To learn more about your denture candidacy, contact our dentist in North East today.
Complete Denture Costs
Complete dentures cost between $1,000 to $4,000. The full denture costs will vary as certain factors will influence expenses for each patient. The cost of your new dentures will depend on the following:
- Location: Costs can differ significantly per location. For example, dentures typically cost more in urban areas compared to rural areas due to higher overheads and living costs.
- Material: Dentures can be made of various materials. Premium materials tend to look more natural and last longer, but they’re also more expensive.
- Type of Denture: There are conventional full dentures and immediate full dentures. Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has started to heal, whereas immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. Immediate dentures might cost more due to their expedited process.
- Dentist’s Experience and Reputation: Highly reputable and experienced dentists or prosthodontists often charge more than those just starting their practice.
- Additional Procedures: Sometimes, additional dental procedures, such as extractions, might be necessary before fitting dentures. These procedures would add to the overall cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I replace my full dentures?
Full dentures can last between five to 10 years with proper care and maintenance. The lifespan of complete dentures varies depending on several factors, such as oral hygiene, wear and tear, and the materials used to make them. Keep in mind that as we age, our mouth changes and the dentures may not fit as well as they did when they were first made.
How can I adjust to wearing dentures?
It can take a few weeks to get used to your new dentures. Initially, you may experience some discomfort, but with time and practice, your speech and chewing will improve.
Transform Your Smile With Dentures Today!
Ready to regain your confidence and restore your smile? Contact our North East dental office at (814) 725-4700 to schedule your consultation. We proudly serve patients from Erie, Ripley, Findley Lake, and beyond.