Dentures – Naperville, IL

Effects of Missing Teeth

The physical repercussions of missing teeth can include difficulty eating and slurred speech; however, an incomplete smile can do more than affect the visual components of day-to-day life. It can also cause a decline in emotional and mental stability, as many people suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of desire to care for themselves.

Poor oral hygiene, depression, and missing opportunities are all potential effects that can worsen over time if proper treatment is not provided.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

At Grand Dental – Naperville, we are pleased to have an in-house periodontist who is skilled in delivering highly effective solutions that look natural and feel great. We do require a scheduled consultation with each patient to ensure they are in good overall health for dentures. While these custom prosthetics do not require any surgical procedures, it is a timely process that requires enough jawbone stability to support a full or partial denture.

We will determine if a person has a stable oral environment for dentures or whether they need preliminary treatments first (i.e., gum disease treatment, bone grafting).

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

It may be that our team does not recommend a full or partial denture. Depending on the severity of tooth loss and a patient’s preference, we may suggest a dental bridge or dental implants.

• Dental Bridges – When most natural teeth remain, a dental bridge can be a great way to restore a small section of missing teeth. Normally replacing between one and four consecutive teeth, a dental bridge uses customized crowns that are attached to healthy adjacent teeth. Serving as anchors, they help to hold the remaining pontics in place to close the gap.  
• Dental Implants – Longer-lasting tooth replacement can be achieved with the help of dental implants. Instead of altering healthy abutment teeth that act as anchors, our team will use only the vacant sockets when placing each implant post. Depending on the number of teeth missing, we will place two for an implant bridge or up to six for an implant denture. No matter the type of implants, it is possible for them to last 30+ years.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

To start, there are two parts of a denture – the base and its artificial teeth. Depending on how many teeth you are missing, you may either need a full or partial denture. Either way, both consist of the same gum-colored base and natural-looking teeth.

• The Base – The most common material used to craft the base of a denture is acrylic. It is made to resemble your gums in shape and color, so you don’t need to worry about it standing out.
• Artificial Teeth – Acrylic is also the most common material used to create artificial teeth, although some professionals turn to porcelain. Mimicking the natural look of enamel is the goal, though, so that you can feel confident in your new smile.

The Denture Creation Process

No two dentures are exactly the same, as what a patient needs will look very different as opposed to someone else. To start, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth and send them to a dental lab for creation.

Once the model is placed into an articulator that looks similar to the jawbone, artificial teeth are put into their appropriate places. A wax version is then returned to the dental office so that you can undergo a fitting. If everything looks right, it will be sent back to the lab, where the dentures are placed into a flask, and plaster is poured in to create the shape of the dentures. After melting the wax off the plaster mold, small holes are created so that acrylic can be injected into the flask.

After removing the plaster, the dentures are placed into an ultrasonic bath so that any excess plaster is removed. A lab technician will then cut away any additional acrylic before giving them a final polish.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Discomfort is not an uncommon feeling when receiving your dentures for the first time. Your mouth needs time to adjust properly, so we advise that you wear your dentures around the clock for the first few days. Do not be surprised if a minor lisp also forms, as your tongue, teeth, and cheeks need time to get used to speaking and eating correctly. By practicing your words and phrases at home and eating softer foods more slowly, you will begin to see a dramatic difference in your ability to use your new smile more effectively.

Psychological Benefits

A person’s psychological health can be severely impacted when tooth loss occurs. However, once dentures are used to fill in the gaps, the positive shift that occurs can lead to a happier lifestyle and viewpoint. Depression and embarrassment no longer dictate an individual’s emotions and feelings; instead, excitement, joy, and an eagerness to embrace new experiences can be the new normal.

Clear Enunciation

With dentures, speaking in front of a group of people or even on the phone with your friends can be easier. Instead of worrying about slurring your words or being unable to produce certain sounds because of your tooth loss, your new teeth will work with your tongue and lips so that you speak clearly. Formal presentations at work, conversations with family and friends, and meeting someone new no longer have to be scary experiences.

Improves Nutrition

Malnutrition is a serious concern for individuals who are without multiple teeth. This inability to bite and chew food can lead to unhealthy choices because they are simpler to eat. Once dentures are put in place, the ease of eating opens the door to a wider array of food options. Not only can you consume more nutritious meals, but you can do so with greater confidence, especially when you’re at a restaurant with family and friends.

Preserves Oral Health

Tooth loss is known to cause bone resorption and increase the risk of gum disease. Osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes can also occur if left untreated. By filling the spaces with custom dentures, though, you not only rebuild your facial structure (to prevent sagging) but also keep any natural teeth in their current place, which means no dental drift. Additionally, dentures can help you take better care of your oral health, especially since you know what it’s like to be without a full set of teeth.

Expands Opportunity

Dentures are no longer just for older adults who are retired and in their “golden years.” These prosthetics are designed for anyone who needs help to rebuild their smile at any age. As a result, greater opportunities can become available, such as a promotion at work that you feel more confident pursuing or a job offer in another state. They can also help you make a good first impression when preparing to meet someone new.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

A scheduled consultation will be necessary to provide a complete and thorough estimate for your care. When developing a breakdown of expected expenses, you can expect that we will consider how many teeth you are missing, the type of denture you will receive (i.e., partial, full, or implant), the type of materials used to create your new smile, and if you need bone grafting, periodontal therapy, or another form of preliminary treatment before receiving dentures.

Many practices build their dentures using cheaper materials. Although this may be easier on your wallet in the beginning, it will likely cost you in the long run simply because of the amount of money you’ll spend to replace your teeth every few years.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Implant dentures are a worthwhile investment if you prefer a more permanent solution. Popular among many individuals who have suffered tooth loss, these permanent prosthetics make it possible to live life with teeth that do not slip or fall out when eating or speaking. Instead, they offer optimal stability and durability that adequately supports customized restorations, one of which is a full denture. While they are more expensive up front, they are proven to be more cost-effective in the long run, as you will not need to purchase denture adhesive or receive regular replacements or relines.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

You will find that when reviewing your dental insurance policy, most offer partial coverage of at least 50%. This is because dentures are viewed as a medical necessity, as you need them to ensure better oral and overall health. When it comes to using your insurance to pay for treatment, our team will fill out the necessary paperwork and claims forms to minimize any stress you might feel when it comes to the financial side of dental care.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Even if you do not have private dental insurance to help pay for your dentures, we can provide two different options for payment: CareCredit or our in-house membership plan. Whether you choose to finance and pay off your treatment over time or enroll in our Grand Advantage Plan that offers discounts on available services, we can make sure you save the most money on your new smile.

Removable Dentures

The type of removable dentures you receive – partial or full – will determine how you properly care for them. Certain steps are not required for partials but are essential for full dentures.

Remove After Eating

Food and bacteria can easily become trapped underneath your dentures after eating, so to avoid a build-up of harmful particles over time, make sure to remove them after every meal. A thorough rinsing of your prosthetics and mouth will flush away anything that might try to cause harm to your artificial teeth and/or smile.

Clean Your Restoration

Throughout the day, various debris and bacteria accumulate on your dentures, which is why it’s important that you clean your artificial teeth (and mouth) at least twice a day. When you wake up and before you go to bed are two times you should use a soft-bristle toothbrush or a denture-specific brush to clear your dentures of any saliva, food particles, or adhesive. You’ll also need to clean your gums and any remaining natural teeth at this time.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Slippery hands, children, and pets can put your dentures at risk. To keep your teeth safe, make sure you place a towel in the sink when cleaning your dentures so that if they slip out of your hands, they do not hit the porcelain and crack. Also, keep your prosthetics out of reach of children and any four-legged friends in your house. They may be enticed to hide or chew on them, resulting in a costly replacement.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

When preparing for bed, place your dentures in a glass of water or denture cleaner. This gives them a more extensive clean while also allowing your gums and bone to rest. The continuous support provided by these facial structures can take a toll, so by removing your dentures at nighttime, you give these areas a chance to recoup. Also, it slows down any potential bone resorption that can occur.

Notice Changes

Since jawbone deterioration is highly likely while wearing dentures, you’ll need to make an appointment with our team at the first sign of discomfort. When your teeth no longer fit properly or feel comfortable inside your mouth, it may be that your facial shape has changed slightly, resulting in the need for a reline.

All-On-4 Dentures

Taking care of All-On-4 dentures is slightly different than what is required for traditional ones. As fixed prosthetics that cannot be removed, you will clean them the same way you do any regular teeth. A soft-bristle toothbrush, dental floss, and regular mouthwash will keep these teeth clean and free of harmful bacteria.