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AppointmentDentures – Norton Shores, MI
Replace Your Teeth Without Breaking the Bank
Tooth loss is a common issue that affects millions of Americans throughout the United States. Missing a few, most of, or all of your teeth can be challenging when it comes to simple daily tasks, like eating and speaking. Fortunately, there is a way to replace your teeth without breaking the bank! At Laketown Family Dental, we offer high-quality dentures to give patients their smiles back. To learn more about dentures in Norton Shores or to schedule a consultation, just give us a call!
Why Choose Laketown Family Dental for Dentures?
- Personalized for Optimal Comfort
- Flexible Financing Options Available
- Natural-Looking Restorations
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
No matter if you’re missing just a few or all your teeth, nearly anyone is a good candidate for dentures, but you’ll need to schedule a consultation with Laketown Family Dental to determine your eligibility. If you aren’t a good candidate, we can work with you to help restore your gum tissue and bone structure so that you possibly can be.
Effects of Missing Teeth
There are many things that can cause you to lose permanent teeth, including gum disease, poor oral hygiene, accidental injury, or even genetics; but replacing them is vital to maintaining your bone health and eating a variety of nutritious foods.
In addition to changing your smile, missing teeth can cause negative side effects like facial sagging, speaking difficulties, and lowered self-esteem.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
If you’ve experienced significant tooth loss or decay, have sensitive teeth, but have healthy gum tissue and jawbone strength, dentures can be an excellent option for restoring your smile. However, in order to make the most of these prosthetics, you must be committed to a regular dental health routine and be willing to take proper care of your dentures.
The number of teeth you are missing will determine which type of denture is best for you, but options include full dentures, partials, implant dentures, and immediate dentures. These prosthetics are all generally more affordable than other tooth-replacement methods, making them a great option for patients on a tight budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If it is determined that you are not a good candidate for dentures, there are still other options that may be suitable, including dental bridges or dental implants.
- Dental Bridges: These are best for patients who are only missing one or a few teeth and require healthy teeth surrounding the missing tooth or teeth to support the bridge.
- Dental Implants: Dental implants are titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone, so in order to choose this option you must have a solid bone structure. Dental implants are more expensive than traditional dentures, however they are permanent and should not need to be replaced.
Types of Dentures
Depending on your needs, our team will determine which of the following options is best for your unique smile:
Partial Dentures
If a dental bridge isn’t quite enough to restore your smile, you might need to opt for a partial denture. They’re customized to fit perfectly in the mouth between your remaining healthy teeth. Partial dentures can replace teeth in different locations of the mouth and keep neighboring teeth from moving around and causing misalignment issues going forward.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are supported by the shape of your mouth and the natural suction of your gums. They’re used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth, either on the top or bottom. It’s crafted with a lifelike base and enamel-colored set of replacement teeth. This way, your smile will have a perfectly natural appearance.
Implant Dentures
For those who are looking for a more stable, longer lasting tooth replacement option, dental implant dentures could be the answer. First, we will place a series of dental implants throughout the jawbone before attaching the customized restoration. With this type of denture, you can expect 70% of your natural chewing function to be restored. Implant dentures are designed to last for decades with proper maintenance and care, so you don’t need to worry about any alterations being made or having them replaced over time. To make a good candidate for implant dentures, you need to have a strong jawbone to support them. During your initial consultation, we can discuss whether or not this tooth replacement option is right for you.
The Benefits of Dentures
Life with an incomplete smile can be hard, but getting dentures can change things for the better in several ways; there’s a reason why dentists continue to recommend them to patients who have lost multiple teeth. Do you need help figuring out what to do about the empty space in your mouth? You may feel more confident about getting dentures after taking the time to learn more about the various benefits that they have to offer.
Psychological Benefits
Tooth loss can have more of an impact on your mental state than you might realize. Many people with incomplete smiles have a higher chance of experiencing symptoms of depression. And of course, being worried about a gap in your grin can hurt your overall self-esteem and may even get in the way of your social life.
Dentures can allow you to once again enjoy the confidence that comes with having a complete set of functional, natural-looking teeth. This can improve your self-image, reduce your anxieties, and help you feel more at ease in social situations.
Clearer Enunciation
People who still have all of their natural teeth generally have no trouble speaking clearly. But if there are gaps in your smile, proper enunciation can become a lot more challenging, and you may find that others tend to have a hard time understanding you. Luckily, dentures can fulfill the role that your natural teeth typically play in helping you speak. This makes it much easier for you to talk clearly in front of others, whether it’s to give an important speech or simply have a casual conversation with a friend.
Improves Nutrition
There are a lot of healthy foods that are difficult to chew with an incomplete smile. Tooth loss can end up limiting your diet and – in the worst-case scenario – could cause you to suffer from malnutrition. The good news is that dentures tend to make eating right much easier. Not only will they make it possible for you to enjoy a wider variety of nutritious foods, but they will also help ensure that you’re chewing properly.
Preserves Oral Health
Surprisingly, dentures could end up making a positive difference for the natural teeth that you still have. Teeth tend to drift toward empty space; consequently, tooth loss can end up significantly changing the alignment of your bite. But by filling the space with dentures, you can encourage your remaining teeth to stay where they are.
Dentures can protect your natural teeth in other ways as well. Having an incomplete smile means that the forces of your bite won’t be distributed evenly, and as such your remaining teeth are likely to become worn down more quickly. But with dentures, you can reduce the pressure that your teeth are exposed to when you bite and chew.
Expands Opportunities
When it comes to your professional life and your personal life, a great smile can play a deceptively important role. It could help you leave a stronger, more positive impression during job interviews, first dates, and other important events. Using dentures to re-complete your smile could go a long way toward opening the door to all kinds of opportunities.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
If you have missing teeth, you’re probably interested in rebuilding your smile with dentures in Norton Shores. However, you likely want to know what the total cost will be before making a final decision. At Laketown Family Dental, we’ll thoroughly explain the pricing information to ensure you know exactly what to expect. During your consultation, we’ll help you get a much better understanding of not only what the overall cost will be, but what your future new smile will look like. To learn more, continue reading or make an appointment with our team today!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
When figuring out the total cost of dentures in Norton Shores, you must keep in mind that several factors influence the overall price. Some of those include:
- Any preliminary dental work needed (i.e., tooth extractions, periodontal therapy, etc.)
- The type of acrylic used for the base (the part that’s dyed to match the color of the gum tissue)
- Number of teeth you’re missing
- Materials your artificial teeth will be made of (usually acrylic or porcelain)
Patients who want to keep their total expenses as low as possible may be tempted to opt for cheaper dentures. However, that’s not ideal. More affordable dentures are often made from subpar materials, meaning they’ll break easily and require replacement much sooner than anticipated. If you’re going to pay for something that’s going in your mouth and will be used every day, it’s best to invest in the higher-quality option.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Short answer: yes, but there’s a very good reason for that. Implant dentures require oral surgery and the placement of multiple dental implants, which is why they’re a more expensive treatment option. Even though the process is more invasive, implant dentures are more reliable because they don’t shift out of place while in use. Additionally, they help stimulate the jawbone to prevent its deterioration. Many patients find implant dentures to be a worthwhile investment because it pays off in the long run. They can last for decades, while traditional dentures usually need replacement every five to seven years.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Since dentures are considered a major procedure, most dental insurance plans will cover around 50% of the total cost. Of course, every policy is unique, meaning the exact amount of coverage offered can vary significantly from person to person. Before committing to treatment, you should confirm the details of your plan with your insurance provider. Our team at Laketown Family Dental will be more than happy to assist you with this step if needed!
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
We understand that not everyone has dental insurance. That’s why we offer an additional financing option to help make your dental bills much easier to manage. With CareCredit financing, you can split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly installments. You can choose from multiple low-to-no interest plans and find one that suits your budget perfectly. It’s an excellent option that makes even the most expensive dental treatments affordable!
Are you ready to rebuild your smile and restore your confidence with dentures in Norton Shores? Contact us and schedule a consultation with our team at Laketown Family Dental today! We’ll address all of your concerns and do everything possible to reduce your total expenses.
Denture FAQs
From the benefits to the cost, the above information covers almost everything you need to know about getting dentures in Norton Shores. If you still have a few lingering questions on your mind, we’d love to help you find the answers! You can reach out to our team directly, or you can keep reading for the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from patients.
Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?
Every patient’s dental needs are unique, but the goal first and foremost is always to preserve your natural teeth. If that’s not feasible because they have sustained significant damage or decay, then our North Shores denture dentist may recommend having them extracted first. Regardless, our team will share all of your treatment options in-depth during your personal consultation. That way, you can make an informed decision on which solution is best for you.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
Technically, yes. It isn’t recommended though. Since dentures constrict blood flow to your gums, it’s important that you take them out regularly. Naturally, you won’t want to do that while you’re running errands or spending time with loved ones. So, the best way to make this a habit is by incorporating it into your nightly routine. Simply complete your oral hygiene routine as you normally would, and then place your dentures in a dentist-recommended cleaner overnight. By morning, your mouth will be rejuvenated, and your gums will be refreshed!
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
At first, you may experience a learning curve as you adjust to your new dentures. The most important thing is to just be patient with yourself and practice, practice, practice. Before you begin speaking, bite down on your dentures and swallow. Not only will this ensure they are in the right place, but it will also remove excess saliva that would’ve otherwise muddled your speech. If you find that you need extra stability, use the recommended amount of denture adhesive. Next, read out loud or talk to a trusted friend. Speak slowly and repeat any difficult words that you come across. With time, you will be speaking with ease!
What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?
Crafted from high-quality and durable materials, dentures can improve your bite significantly, especially if you’ve been struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss. With that said, it is important to fill your plate with the right foods. For example, gummy candies and sticky peanut butter can tug on your dentures, causing them to fall out of place. Popcorn kernels, shelled nuts, crunchy breads, and tough steaks are also all foods you should avoid since they can damage your dentures and irritate your gums. In short, it’s best to stick to soft fruits, cooked vegetables, and lean proteins. Watermelon, green beans, fish, and mashed sweet potatoes are all foods that are both nutrient-dense and easy to chew.