Learning More About Dentures at Southern Smiles
Hi there. This is Dr. Shakally with Southern Smiles. We get a lot of questions about dentures in my practice. It's one of my personal favorite things to do. I'm here to answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding dentures.
What are dentures?
Dentures are something that comes in and out of your mouth. They are used to replace your missing teeth. Dentures tend to be the full set, versus partial dentures which are for just a few missing teeth. If you're missing all your teeth, dentures are the first possible option.
What type of dental professional would I see about getting dentures?
What kind of dental professional should I see about dentures? Usually, it is the dentist. In some states, there is something called a denturist. In Arizona, for example, we have that possibility where it's someone who is not a dentist but specializes in dentures.
For the most part, a dentist is the best place to go because if you have any teeth that need to come out, or if you're looking for somewhere you can go for maintaining those dentures or getting implants one day, the dentist is where you need to go for those dentures.
When would a dentist recommend getting dentures?
We really try our best to keep you in your own natural teeth as long as we can unless those teeth are causing you harm at this point. Unless all of them are broken, have a lot of infection, or you are so unhappy with them that they're causing you harm, then we go towards the denture route. Or if you show up in our office without any teeth, we want to help you make sure you're able to smile and eat. We recommend dentures when the teeth are very much what we call hopeless.
What are some alternatives to dentures and when would each be the most appropriate option?
Dentures are not the best solution. They are just a piece of plastic sitting on your gums. It's better than nothing, but if someone's walking around without anything in their mouth, that's 0%, while having a good well-fitting denture might get you to 20%.
Alternatives to dentures, because dentures come with a lot of limitations and challenges, are not plentiful. For the upper denture, the main alternative is an all-on-four or what people call teeth in a day. The lower side has more options due to the difference in the quality of the bone on the bottom side.
So, besides the denture and the all-on-four, there is something called a snap-in denture where we put a couple of implants in, and we put a snap-on denture also called an overdenture. It comes on and off like a regular denture but has two posts or two implants to stabilize it.
What types of dentures are there?
If we are still talking about the dentures that come in or out, then there are digital dentures that are made nowadays versus the traditional old school ones. Digital ones tend to be faster and sometimes more aesthetic. Usually, those are the benefits of having digital dentures. You also have that file saved forever, so if you break or lose your denture, it's much easier to reprint or remill it versus a traditional denture which is stronger. It's been around longer, so the issues are much more understood, but it does take a lot longer, usually four or five appointments, sometimes multiple weeks apart. If you lose it or break it, it's a much more difficult process to change.
If we're talking about traditional dentures, those are really the two different options: traditional versus digital. Talking about different denture types, we have traditional dentures, snap-on dentures, and all-on-four dentures. Some come in and out, some stay in, each with its own pros and cons.
How are dentures made and what materials are used?
There is a lot of new technology coming out on the market, and it's an exciting time to do dentures nowadays. The traditional way is usually acrylic. The denture base is made of acrylic, similar to what nail polish is made of, and the teeth themselves can be made of different strong plastics. There are different qualities of that plastic, sometimes referred to as economy versus premium dentures. Digital dentures can be made by milling from a big block of PMMA or resin-based and printed. The part that goes on your gums is printed from one material, and the denture teeth are printed from another material. At the end of the day, it's plastic.
What happens during the denture placement procedure?
It really depends on if we're going with the digital route versus the traditional route. The traditional route depends on whether you have any teeth left or are completely without teeth. A good rule of thumb is three to four appointments. The critical step is what we call the wax try-in, where you have a replica of what your denture is going to look like in terms of the length, color, and shape of the teeth.
Once you get to that step, it's just one more appointment. Sometimes patients have high aesthetic demands, and we may need multiple appointments for the wax try-in. We can do it as many times as needed until you are happy. With digital dentures, things are getting exciting with the technology available. Some offices can get you a denture almost the same day. That's the best and most cutting-edge. The field of digital dentistry and dentures is very exciting nowadays.
Is getting dentures painful?
Usually, no, not really. If you need to take some teeth out, that may be uncomfortable, but that's a whole different conversation. If you come in without any teeth, the process is very easy. Most people want this process shortened and faster, and technology is helping us do that.
The only uncomfortable part is usually at the end once you have your denture and are using it. It's like learning how to ride a bicycle. Sometimes you put it in, everything feels good, but then you start to wear it and eat with it, and a sore spot develops. We ask our patients to be patient with those issues. Expect two to three adjustments on average before those dentures feel like a new shoe you have to wear and get used to.
What anesthesia options will be available during the dental denture procedure?
We get asked what anesthesia options are available when getting a denture. This assumes you have a bunch of teeth that need to come out. If you don't have any teeth, then no anesthesia is required. If you do have teeth that need to come out, there are multiple options to make this more comfortable.
Option number one is laughing gas, also called nitrous oxide. It's very safe, effective, and affordable. We use it on kids as young as three and adults as old as 97. It allows you to drive yourself afterward without needing to be fasted. It's great for people with mild anxiety.
Another option is oral sedation, which involves taking some pills, having someone drive you to the appointment, and then using laughing gas. It's good for moderate anxiety, more expensive, requires fasting, and needs a driver. The third option is having an anesthesia provider put an IV line in, putting you to sleep entirely. It's the most expensive and reserved for patients with extreme anxiety or complicated medical histories, or for involved procedures. The main options are laughing gas, oral sedation, or full IV sedation.
What should I expect my dentures to look and feel like?
In terms of looks, we want you to be happy. We do a wax try-in appointment where you can see what the dentures will look like and you have to approve the aesthetics, length, color, shape, location, and bite. We don't move forward until you are completely satisfied with that. We can redo that wax try-in as many times as needed because once it's final, we can't change it.
In terms of how it feels, it depends. Upper dentures are more comfortable than lower ones. Upper dentures usually feel good and stick well, but every person has their own limitations. Some people have anatomy that complicates dentures, and your dentist should be able to anticipate those. Upper dentures usually are good and stay on well, especially with a little adhesive.
One common complaint is they feel gaggy at first because the roof of your mouth is covered, affecting taste. Lower dentures are a different ballgame and tend to be uncomfortable. There's no roof of the mouth to keep them in place, and your tongue is very active. I tell my patients, if possible, go for snap-on dentures to save pain and discomfort. Sometimes that's not an option, but a lower denture is better than nothing.
Is it more difficult to speak with dentures?
It depends on where you're starting from. If you're starting with very broken-down teeth or no teeth at all, then usually, no, it's easier. The speech aspect of denture fabrication is critical, and an experienced dentist needs to handle it. If the teeth are not placed correctly, you may have lisps, whistling, or shushing sounds. If the dentures are too big, they may click when you talk, or if too low, your face collapses. Speech is a critical area we focus on during the wax try-in appointment, where you also check for the looks of the denture.
Will having dentures affect my ability to eat and drink regularly?
It depends on where you're starting from. If comparing someone with dentures to someone with natural healthy teeth, then absolutely. If someone has all their natural healthy teeth with no infection, that's 100% function. A person with no teeth is at 0%. A good well-made denture can get you to 20-25%. A bad one, maybe 10%.
We discuss expectations with our patients that this is better than 0%. If you expect to eat apples, steak, walnuts, and peanuts, dentures are not the right option. A consult with your dentist is critical to communicate your feelings, hopes, and what you want to eat. Not every dentist can understand your needs and deliver the quality you want.
What is the best way to clean and care for dentures?
Your dentist should go over this before delivering your denture because different materials may require different cleaning methods. On average, a traditional acrylic denture needs to be cleaned once a day when you take them out. There's usually a denture-specific brush you can find online, like on Amazon, for mechanical removal, similar to brushing your teeth. You also have tablets, available at any CVS or online store. Try to find ones without bleach, as bleach shortens the lifespan of your dentures. Rely on a mild solution combined with brushing.
Another way people clean their teeth is with at-home ultrasonic cleaners, a small version of what we have in the office. It doesn't clean as well as the professional office one but does a good job in combination with brushing and tablets. Lastly, bring your dentures to dental appointments. Many patients with dentures never visit the dentist again, which is a mistake. You still need to ensure you're not developing oral cancer or pathologies associated with dentures. Bring your dentures to your dentist for a professional cleaning.
What special care should I take for my mouth and gums after getting dentures?
Some patients think, "Oh, I've got dentures now. I never need to see the dentist again," which is a big mistake. Changes can happen in your gums—oral cancer is a big one we see without teeth. If you have an ill-fitting denture, you may not feel it, but there could be issues. You have to take your dentures out at night, which is a frequent issue. Not taking them out can lead to infections. Maintain good oral hygiene with rinses, and take your dentures to the dentist to get them cleaned.
How long will dentures last?
A big question we get is how long dentures last. On average, I would say five years. Without teeth, the bone in your jaw changes dramatically over time, so dentures made today will not fit in probably five years. This change accelerates initially after teeth removal but slows down eventually, though it happens continuously.
Sometimes a denture looks like it was made for someone else. At that point, you need a new denture. A good way to measure if your denture fits well is how it compares to when you first got it. Does it pop out immediately when you press on the front? Does it stay or come out when you pull down on it? If there's a problem with any of these motions, it's probably time to talk to your dentist about improvements or getting something better.
What if my dentures need restoration, replacement, or repair?
We get asked, "What happens if my dentures break? How do I repair or fix them?" Usually, we say to go back to the dentist who made them. Most dentists try their best not to touch other people's work. If someone comes to my office with a denture I made and there's an issue, whether it doesn't fit anymore because it's old, or a tooth has chipped, or they've dropped it and broken it, or even if a dog chewed on it, it depends on the extent of the damage. A small chip is an easy fix. If it's split down the middle and a clean cut, also easy to fix. If broken into multiple pieces, it's probably time for a new denture.
How long will it take for my mouth to heal and get used to the dentures?
It depends on what was done to get the denture. If you were without teeth and got the denture, then usually a couple of weeks is a good timeline to get used to them and adjust sore spots at your dentist. Expect two to three visits to adjust them for comfort. If you had a lot of extractions with those dentures, the first six to eight weeks involve the most healing, but healing continues for an entire year, as that's how long bone takes to heal.
What is the cost of dentures and will insurance help pay for them?
We tell patients the best way to get an accurate estimate is to come into the office and discuss. It depends on if you have teeth that need to be removed, if the bone needs leveling, and if you're looking for different dentures. There's a difference between premium and economy based on aesthetics. Sometimes we discuss with patients what they expect their denture to do, and we may suggest they need something with implants.
The best answer regarding cost is to talk to your dentist. The average cost of a regular denture without any extras is around $1,500 for the top and another $1,500 for the bottom. Insurance tends to cover them once every five years on average.
When should I schedule an appointment for dentures?
We usually say the best time is now because you want to get this process going soon. It takes longer than most expect. You don't want to reach a point where you're desperate, unable to smile, or in a lot of pain to get the process going. Be proactive and give our office a call.
I hope I've been able to answer all your questions regarding dentures. Dentures are a subject very close to me. I care about helping patients and love seeing the change in someone's looks and their eyes after they get dentures and can show off their smile. Call our office at (480) 530-0755, or schedule below! Our staff would love to talk with you.