Losing a tooth as a child is a rite of passage, a sign that you’re growing up, but losing an adult tooth can be devastating. But it’s actually quite common—about 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and approximately 36 million have no natural teeth left at all. The good news is that whatever teeth you’ve lost because of gum disease, injury, or another cause can be replaced with dentures. Are you ready to smile again? Our team at MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is happy to give your confidence a boost with personalized dentures.
With dentures, prosthetic teeth (which usually consist of porcelain or acrylic crowns) are attached to a gum-colored base. Although each denture is customized according to your unique needs, there are generally two types of dentures: partials and full dentures. If you have some natural teeth left within the arch, a partial denture may meet your needs. In some ways, partials look a lot like a puzzle piece that completes your smile. On the other hand, full dentures compensate for total tooth loss.
If you’ve experienced tooth loss in any capacity, you’re likely already familiar with the struggles of missing teeth. Biting and chewing nutritious food becomes much more difficult, and you can become self-conscious about how your smile looks with gaps in it. In the case of total tooth loss, even when your mouth is closed, it can collapse and give you a more sunken look. Dentures can restore your confidence, enable you to eat again, and keep your facial profile as youthful as possible.
Before we create your custom dentures, we’ll take care of any preliminary work that needs to be done. This could include gum disease therapy or even tooth extraction. Then, we’ll take digital impressions of your mouth and take measurements so that the dental lab can be meticulously precise. You may need to come into our office a couple of times for fittings, but ultimately, you’ll have dentures that fit comfortably.
Modern dentures are much more effective than those of the past, but even with advancements in the materials and technology, dentures alone can only do so much. Unfortunately, they need to be adjusted often and replaced about every five to seven years. However, when you attach your dentures to implants, your dentures can last for more than 20 or even 30 years! Implant dentures also prevent the jawbone from shrinking, which means that you can retain your original biting strength and more easily maintain a healthy diet.
Do you suffer from extensive tooth loss? You might be thinking about rebuilding your smile with dentures in Fairfax. However, you likely want to know what your overall cost will be before committing to the process. During your initial consultation, we’ll conduct an oral examination and explain which factors will affect the total price of your treatment. If you’d like to learn more about the cost of dentures in Fairfax, continue reading or make an appointment with our team today!
Overall, three major factors influence the total cost of dentures in Fairfax. Some of those include:
If you’re trying to reduce your total expenses, you may be thinking about getting cheaper dentures. However, that’s not necessarily ideal because they tend to break more easily, meaning they’ll require replacement much sooner than you’d expect. It’s always best to opt for higher quality dentures because they’re considered a worthwhile investment.
Yes, but there’s a good reason for that. Implant dentures are more costly because they require oral surgery and the placement of multiple dental implants. For that reason, implant dentures are far more reliable day-to-day because they do not slip and slide around while in place. Additionally, they help stimulate the jawbone, preventing its deterioration and providing you with increased biting strength and longevity. Even though this option has a higher upfront cost, it can last for decades and won’t need to be replaced every few years.
Since dentures are considered a major procedure, most dental insurance plans will cover around 50% of their costs. Of course, every policy is unique, meaning the exact amount of coverage that’s offered can vary significantly from person to person. Before committing to treatment, make sure you confirm the details of your coverage with your insurance provider. Our team is more than happy to help with that process if needed.
We understand that not everyone has dental insurance, which is why we offer additional options to help make your dental bills easier to manage. With CareCredit financing, you can split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly monthly installments. There are multiple low-to-no interest plans to choose from, meaning you’re guaranteed to find something that works for you.
Are you ready to transform your smile with dentures in Fairfax? Contact our office and schedule a consultation today to get started!
Dentures are a lifechanging tooth replacement option for people who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. However, you may still have some unanswered questions, so we’re here to help. Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we receive about dentures in Fairfax. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call and our friendly team would be happy to answer your questions and get you started with an initial consultation.
Repairing a damaged tooth whenever possible is always preferable to replacing it. Tooth extractions of any kind will only ever be recommended when deemed absolutely necessary, like when a tooth is too damaged to save thanks to extensive decay, severe infection, or trauma that has broken off most of the enamel. If all of the teeth in an arch are 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 this.
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. After this, you should be taking them out every evening. Wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. Taking dentures out gives the gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need during sleep. The dark, moist space beneath the dentures is also an ideal place for bacteria to thrive, so sleeping with dentures has been associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to take them out before catching some Z’s.
If you need to have teeth extracted before you’re able to get dentures, you are likely to experience some discomfort after the oral surgery. Take recommended over-the-counter and prescribed pain medication as directed and the discomfort should improve 3 to 5 days after the 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 you switch to a new set of dentures, the adjustment process may take longer than before. If pain persists, give us a call.
It is completely possible to kiss while you’re wearing dentures. It just takes time to get used to how it feels. Since dentures don’t contain nerves like real teeth do, you will need to be cautious to avoid kissing with too much pressure. Remember to be gentle so that your denture doesn’t shift out of place.
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