Dentures – Pinehurst, NC
Trusted Prosthetics, Proven Results
Individuals living with incomplete smiles often find that they feel uncomfortable trying to eat or speak in front of others. Smiling is out of the question because of the embarrassment they feel. Being unable to live life to the fullest is why so many patients turn to Olmstead Village Dental Care for help. Offering dentures in Pinehurst, our team of experts can restore appearances, boost confidence, and improve the use of one’s smile. Call us today if you’re ready to start enjoying life again.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Most patients who are living with multiple missing teeth or who are without any remaining natural teeth can find hope with dentures. When meeting with our talented denture dentist, we will conduct a thorough examination of your oral anatomy to determine if you are experiencing any decay of existing teeth or gum disease. If so, we’ll need to administer appropriate treatment first. Afterward, we can move forward with replacing your missing pearly whites so that you can enjoy your smile again. Until then, here’s what typically happens with tooth loss and what would make you a good denture candidate.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Teeth can be lost in several ways—the most common ones being advanced gum disease, severe tooth decay, and accidental injury. Even if you don’t feel any discomfort, you might experience a variety of complications if your teeth aren’t replaced. These can involve trouble speaking, difficulty eating/chewing, facial sagging, and a significant decrease in confidence and self-esteem. Not only will your oral health be negatively affected, but so will your overall quality of life.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
In many cases, those who are struggling with mild to severe tooth loss can be eligible for dentures. The only thing is that you’ll need to have healthy gum tissue and sufficient jawbone to support your prosthetics. It’s also necessary to maintain a strict oral hygiene regimen to maintain both your dentures and the rest of your smile.
Our team will also determine the kind of dentures you’ll receive based on the number of teeth that you need to replace. These options can typically involve partial, full, and implant dentures. This treatment is also ideal for those who are working with a budget, as it won’t cost nearly as much as other solutions.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Even if you aren’t a good candidate for dentures or you don’t know if this treatment is right for you, you can still explore alternative prosthetics that can effectively replace your missing teeth. Here are the other types of tooth-replacement options to consider:
- Dental Bridges – These prosthetics are best for patients who are missing one or several teeth consecutively. This “bridge” can easily close the gap in your smile by connecting the two crowns to the healthy teeth on either side.
- Dental Implants – After undergoing a minor oral surgery of embedding titanium posts into your jawbone, we can attach your new restoration(s) to completely rebuild your smile from the roots up. This treatment does require sufficient jawbone density and facial structure, and the upfront cost is higher than traditional bridges and dentures, but the results can last decades to a lifetime with proper care.
Types of Dentures
There are three types of dentures you can take advantage of – partial, full, and implant dentures.
Partial Dentures
Designed to fill in the gaps left behind by missing teeth, partial dentures are fabricated to blend in with your existing smile. Similar to how a puzzle piece works, it is created with an acrylic base that matches your natural gums with artificial teeth secured on top of the base. They are positioned in the exact spaces that need to be filled so that when the metal clasps attach to natural teeth, everything fits perfectly in place.
Full Dentures
Relying on natural suction and denture adhesive to hold them in place, full dentures restore the entire arch of missing teeth. Using an acrylic base that is fabricated with the same gum-colored material as a partial, the artificial teeth rest on top of the denture base to create a complete set. When placed in the mouth, they will sit on top of the gums to allow for an immediate transformation.
Implant Dentures
Unlike their traditional counterparts, implant dentures use titanium posts that are placed within the jaw. Positioned for optimal support, these artificial tooth roots help to stimulate the bone, while the custom restoration (denture) restores the look and function of a complete smile. With optimal care, they can last 30 years or a lifetime.
The Benefits of Dentures
Dentures, no matter which kind you choose, will have a significantly positive impact on your life. Their look, functionality, and lifespan can give you back what you’ve been missing for so many years. Individuals who have been living with dentures mention that they appreciate numerous kinds of benefits both for their mouth and overall well-being. Here are the advantages you can expect to enjoy with these prosthetics.
Psychological Benefits
Tooth loss not only negatively impacts your smile and oral health but also your self-esteem. Most people end up feeling like they have to hide their grins whenever talking or laughing, and some even avoid engaging in social activities entirely. By replacing your missing pearly whites with dentures, you can improve your oral health as well as boost your confidence in the long run. You also won’t worry as much about things like your speech articulation, chewing ability, or appearance.
Clearer Enunciation
Not having all of your teeth can make speaking or conversing much more difficult. This is because your lips and tongue typically press against them to enunciate sounds and words. With dentures, you can renew your complete smile while allowing yourself to talk like you used to. This can take some time to get used to, but with practice and repetition, you should be able to speak like normal in no time!
Improves Nutrition
Certain healthy foods can be more difficult to eat without being able to use all of your teeth, including fruits, lean meats, and veggies. Without the ability to chew properly, you can end up with problems such as indigestion and malnutrition. By restoring your smile with dentures, your prosthetics will provide you with the functional bite necessary for expanding your dietary choices to include healthier, more nutritious foods. This will also give you the chance to receive essential minerals to help promote a stronger jawbone, gums, and overall well-being.
Preserves Oral Health
Any remaining natural pearly whites after tooth loss can start to move out of position to try to fill the gaps in your smile. This is due to the jawbone deteriorating over time, which will weaken the bone tissue and can result in further tooth loss. With dentures, you can help keep your other teeth in place while evenly distributing the pressures of everyday chewing, significantly reducing wear and tear over time.
Expands Opportunities
Your smile is the very first thing people typically notice during an initial greeting. For this reason, it can be quite important to be able to show off a full smile when introducing yourself, as this can impact the way people perceive you. Dentures can help you make a great first impression by providing the complete grin you deserve, which can end up expanding your opportunities in both professional and social settings.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Your financial situation should never stand in the way of treating tooth loss. Although dentures are attributed to being expensive, they are more affordable than you might think. You can't put a price on the benefits of replacing your lost teeth. Many factors affect the cost of dentures, but Dr. Hudson has the financial solutions you need to complete your smile.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
There's no one-size-fits-all denture because every mouth is as unique as fingerprints. Not to mention, every situation differs. There isn't any way to know how much you'll pay until after your consultation. While every case is different, you can expect your estimate to include:
- Consultation: You'll first need to have a consultation. Dr. Hudson will examine your mouth and learn more about your health history.
- Prep Work: Based on the results of your consultation, you may require a little prep work, like tooth extractions or gum disease therapy.
- Type of Denture: The number of teeth you're replacing will affect the cost, as well as if you're treating one or both arches.
- Materials: High-quality materials may cost more, but they are often more comfortable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
You may pay more upfront for implant dentures, but they are the most cost-effective overall. Dental implants have over a 95% success rate and can last for 30 years or more, unlike traditional dentures, which have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years. Not to mention, implant dentures preserve your jawbone to improve your oral health. As the next best thing to real teeth, the benefits of implant dentures are immeasurable.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Your dental insurance won't pay for the entire process, but you can use your benefits to lower your out-of-pocket expenses for certain steps. Your insurance may cover your consultation, diagnostic services, and medically necessary procedures. Dentures are considered a major service, which is typically covered by 50%. After meeting your annual deductible, you can use your coverage to reduce the cost until you reach your yearly limit. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your benefits.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Besides using your dental insurance, Dr. Hudson accepts multiple payment methods, including:
- Traditional Payments: Our office accepts cash, credit cards, and personal checks.
- Financing: You can pay for any out-of-pocket costs using a monthly payment plan through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit. You can enjoy little or no interest in financing based on your credit approval.
We will help you find the solutions you need to rebuild a beautiful smile without spending your life’s savings.