Partials and Dentures - Melbourne, FL
Complete Your Smile with Dentures Today!
Living with missing teeth is no laughing matter. Whether you are missing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch, your quality of life and confidence suffer. Now, you can no longer enjoy your favorite foods or speak as clearly as you did in the past. You do not need to let an incomplete smile create daily challenges. Dr. Cedric C. Chenet can fill the spaces with partials or dentures in Melbourne. He will rebuild your smile to restore your oral functions and your self-esteem.
What are Dentures?
Dentures are a convenient solution to treat tooth loss. Prosthetic teeth are designed to meet your exact needs, which are attached to a gum-colored base with a metal framework. It is then held in place using one or more methods, such as suction or dental implants.
Candidates for Dentures
In most cases, everyone who has missing teeth is a candidate for dentures; however, you will require a consultation with your dentist in Melbourne to determine which type best meet your needs.
- Full Denture: You must have lost all or most of your natural teeth. Your gums must be healthy to support the dentures.
- Implant-Supported Denture: Your jawbone must be able to support the implant posts, you cannot have gum disease, and you should have good oral and general health.
- Partial Denture: You should still have a few healthy teeth to support the partial.
What are My Options?
Depending on your degree of tooth loss and your preferences, there are 3 main options used to replace your missing teeth:
- Full Denture: A full denture is used when you have lost all your teeth on the top or bottom arch. Although they have a bad reputation for looking fake, new advancements in dentistry have improved their function and appearance. Ceramic or acrylic is used to create the teeth while the base is held to your gum tissue using suction or an adhesive.
- Partial Dentures: If you are missing several teeth in a row, a partial denture is used to fill in the gaps. Prosthetic teeth are attached to a gum-colored base, which has a metal framework to clasp onto your remaining teeth to hold it in place.
- Implant-Supported Dentures: As an alternative to a conventional full or partial denture, many people are coming to prefer those that are supported by dental implants. Implant posts are inserted into your jawbone to create a secure foundation for your denture or partial.
Benefits of Dentures
If you’re missing some or all of your teeth, then you understand how difficult it is to perform simple daily tasks, such as eating, speaking, and smiling. By restoring your smile with dentures, you can be sure to enjoy a full bite again while boosting your quality of life! Read on to learn about some of the benefits you can appreciate with these durable and natural-looking prosthetic teeth.
Psychological Benefits
Other than affecting your oral health, you may experience certain psychological impacts to losing your teeth. Some patients end up feeling embarrassed to show their remaining pearly whites if there are obvious gaps, and they may feel like hiding their mouths when they smile. This can reduce a person’s self-esteem and make them less likely to engage in social interactions. Restoring your complete smile with dentures can eliminate these issues, lowering any anxiety about your appearance, speech, chewing, and overall well-being.
Clearer Enunciation
Speaking clearly without even some of your teeth can be challenging. This is because pronouncing words typically involves positioning your lips and tongue properly against your pearly whites. Some words can be nearly impossible to enunciate correctly if you’re missing teeth. By replacing them with dentures, you’ll be able to pronounce most words more clearly when talking. This usually involves a short adjustment period and practice before you can speak naturally again.
Improves Nutrition
Even nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins can be tough to munch on. Without being able to chew and grind your meals effectively, you may end up experiencing issues like malnutrition and indigestion. By improving your bite and regaining your ability to chew, your prosthetics will allow you to expand on your dietary choices, which can help you promote better oral and overall health in the long run!
Preserves Oral Health
Even if you have some remaining natural pearly whites left, it doesn’t mean they won’t be susceptible to further tooth loss. By wearing dentures, you can help prevent them from shifting out of place to fill the gaps. Additionally, your prosthetics will assist in bearing the excessive pressure that comes with chewing, reducing the wear and tear on your remaining teeth.
Expands Opportunities
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Therefore, if you want to make a great impression during job interviews, promotions, or even dates, having a full set of teeth can give you the edge you’re looking for. Not only will you feel more confident, but others will be more likely to perceive you as competent and engaging—all of which will improve your opportunities in both your personal and professional life.
Adjusting to Dentures
It will take a few days to get used to your new smile. During this time, it is best to wear your denture as often as you can to practice chewing and speaking. It is recommended you stick with softer foods until you become accustomed to your new smile. If you develop any difficulties or have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact our dental office.
Stop living with the challenges of missing teeth. Contact our dental office today to see which type of denture is right for you.
Cost of Dentures
If you’re considering dentures, you’re probably wondering about the cost of your treatment. No two smiles are the same, which is why it’s difficult to provide a precise estimate. The only way to know with certainty is to visit our office for a consultation. However, we are committed to helping our patients understand their treatment costs, which is why we’ve included some of the most important factors that impact the price of your dentures in Melbourne.
Learn More About the Cost of Dentures
Types of Dentures
We offer different types of dentures and the option you choose will directly impact your overall cost. For a pattern of missing teeth, we may recommend a partial denture to complete your smile. If you’re missing all or most of your teeth, a full denture will provide you with a complete restoration. For those looking for the most stable replacement, we can combine dental implants and traditional dentures for implant-retained dentures. Typically, the more teeth you’re missing, the more costly your dentures will be. Plus, for implant-retained dentures, you must factor in the price of dental implants.
The Dentures Process
The process for getting dentures comes in stages. Each part of your treatment will have a separate cost that adds up to the overall price. First, you’ll come into our office for your initial consultation, where we will discuss your needs and develop your treatment plan. Next, any preexisting dental issues will need to be treated, and in some cases, we may extract remaining teeth to accommodate your denture. After, impressions are made, which are used to create your personalized denture. Once your prosthesis is made, we’ll place your restoration for a complete smile.
Notably, this process becomes more extensive if you choose to receive implant-retained dentures. Dental implants require surgery and a healing process of at least 3 to 4 months, however their unique benefits make this option incredibly popular.
Are Dentures Worth the Investment?
Dentures will literally change your life—whether you’re missing a few teeth or your entire smile. Our team of experts provides completely personalized smile replacements that give you the look, feel, and function you deserve. Dentures allow you to smile with confidence, speak clearly, and enjoy more of your favorite foods. The best part is you’ll feel more comfortable with your smile, and you’ll receive boosted self-esteem—no more hiding your teeth in public or for photos.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Typically, most dental insurance plans will partially cover dentures. This restoration is considered a major treatment, which is why the coverage will be less than more minor services like fillings. However, this will all depend on your specific plan. Keep in mind that your insurance may also be able to cover additional treatments needed for preexisting issues. Our friendly front desk staff will happily work with your provider to maximize your benefits. We are proud to accept dental insurance as well as alternative financing options to ensure that patients with all types of budgets can afford our high-quality dentures.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office!
Denture FAQs
Are you ready to complete your smile with dentures today? Dentures in Melbourne are a classic tooth replacement solution that can help you get back to enjoying a functional, beautiful set of pearly whites in no time. During your consultation, we’ll be more than happy to give you all the information you need about replacing your missing teeth. In the meantime, we invite you to look over the following frequently asked questions so you can learn more about dentures.
I’m Interested in Dentures—Where Do I Start?
The first step on your journey towards replacing your missing teeth is to come see us for a consultation. During this first appointment, we’ll discuss your smile goals and address any concerns you may have. Then, we’ll review your medical history and inspect your mouth.
Issues like tooth decay and gum disease can make wearing dentures uncomfortable, so we’ll work with you to address these problems first if needed. Once your oral health is on track, we’ll be able to fully explain all your tooth replacement options as well as which ones we recommend for your unique smile.
How Are Dentures Cared for?
While your dentures won’t be prone to cavities like natural teeth, you’ll still need to clean them regularly. Plaque, bacteria, and food debris will naturally build up on your dentures throughout the day. The more these particles accumulate, the higher your risk of serious oral health issues and infections.
To keep your dentures clean, we don’t recommend using your normal toothbrush and toothpaste. These products are somewhat abrasive and can scratch away the finish on your dentures, making them duller and weaker. Instead, you should brush them daily with a very soft bristled toothbrush and soak them in denture cleaning solution every night.
Will I Be Able to Eat Normally with Dentures?
Restoring your complete smile will allow you to enjoy a full, varied diet once again. However, learning to eat with them may take a little bit of time and practice. It’s completely normal to find chewing strange or awkward when you first begin wearing dentures. As you navigate how to eat with your new teeth, it’s a good idea to stick to a diet of soft, nutritious foods. You can also use a small amount of denture adhesive for extra support as well.
As eating and chewing gradually becomes easier with practice, you can begin to add stickier, crunchier, and harder foods into your diet when you feel ready to do so. Eventually, you’ll be able to enjoy most all your favorite foods. While this timeframe will be different for everyone, this typically takes about a month for most patients.
How Long Do Dentures Last?
Thanks to high-quality materials and modern dental technology, dentures are more durable and long-lasting than ever before. However, they will eventually need to be replaced once they lose their fit to keep your smile healthy and comfortable. With the proper care, your dentures should last for about 5-10 years.
If you chose to replace your missing teeth with implant-retained dentures, you can expect results that last even longer. Once dental implants have successfully fused with the bone tissue in your jaw, they can easily stay in place for 30 years or more. In fact, most patients enjoy their implant-retained dentures for the rest of their life!
Ready to see how dentures can improve your smile? Give us a call today to schedule your consultation!