Dentures – Worcester, MA
Restore Your Smile, Restore Your Life
Are you struggling with tooth loss? Currently, nearly 180 million Americans are missing at least one tooth – that’s straight from the American College of Prosthodontists! Thanks to modern dentistry, this isn’t a permanent concern. With dentures in Worcester, you can restore your smile and restore your life! To learn more about this tried-and-true tooth-replacement solution, get in touch with our team or read on.
Why Choose Winthrop Street Dentistry for Dentures?
- Top-Rated Dental Team
- Insurance-Friendly Dental Office
- In-House Oral Surgeon Places Dental Implants
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
If you’ve experienced moderate to severe tooth loss, then there is a good chance that you are a good candidate for dentures. Of course, the best way to know for sure is by scheduling a personal consultation with our Worcester dentist. During this meeting, our team will examine your mouth, learn about your dental needs, and get a better understanding of your smile goals. With this information, we can determine if dentures are the right treatment for you!
Types of Dentures
There are several different types of dentures, each designed to help patients at varying stages of tooth loss. Here is a little bit more about each:
Partial Dentures
As you might have guessed, partial dentures are most ideal for patients who have a mixture of missing and natural teeth. Partials are custom-made to fill in the gaps, restoring your smile and bite like a puzzle piece. To remain in place, a discreet metal clasp attaches onto the existing teeth.
Full Dentures
Full dentures, on the other hand, are designed to replace an entire arch of teeth. A gum-colored base and custom-made prosthetic teeth are held in place with denture adhesive, natural suction, or a mixture of the two. Not only are they able to last for 10+ years with proper care, but they also are very lifelike.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are where tried-and-true dentures and state-of-the-art dental implants meet. In this case, several dental implants are placed strategically throughout your mouth before a denture is placed on top. The result is natural-looking, stable, and designed to last for 20+ years!
The Benefits of Dentures
With so many tooth-replacement solutions to choose from, you may be asking “why dentures?” Well, they offer patients several benefits, including:
- Customization
- Efficiently restore your bite
- Hassle-free oral hygiene
- 10+ year lifespan
- Cost-effective
Want to learn more about dentures in Worcester? Then get in touch with our team today!
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
When you visit our team at Winthrop Street Dentistry to discuss your tooth-replacement options, know that we want every aspect of your treatment to be seamless – from your consultation and the process of creating your dentures to navigating the financial aspects of your care. So, please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions you have about the price or talk to our Worcester dentists about them at your appointment. You can also read on to learn more about the cost of dentures right here!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
Remember, dentures are completely customized to each patient’s dental needs. Plus, everyone who visits us has different dental histories and smile goals. That’s why we need to consider the below factors before providing you with an estimate of the price:
- If tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, or any other preparatory work is needed.
- The extent of your tooth loss (ex: if you are missing a few teeth or an entire arch).
- The materials that are used to make your denture.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Yes, implant dentures typically are more expensive when compared to traditional dentures. That’s because they require oral surgery as well as the placement of multiple dental implants. The good news is that, while the upfront cost is higher, they also last significantly longer. While traditional dentures typically last between 5-7 years at a time, implant dentures can last for decades. Simply put, don’t let the upfront cost scare you – this is still a good investment!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
First, we need to preface that dental plans aren’t exactly the same from patient to patient. That’s why it’s always a good idea to review the fine print on yours or reach out to your provider directly if you’re curious about learning more about your benefits. With all of that said, it’s common for dental insurance providers to cover up to 50% of the cost since it’s medically necessary restorative care. We’re proud to welcome many popular companies – from Aetna and Altus to BlueCross BlueShield and Delta Dental. So, if you have a question about your coverage, don’t hesitate to let us know!
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Our team at Winthrop Street Dentistry never wants your quality of life to be negatively impacted because the treatment you need requires a larger investment. The good news is that dental insurance isn’t the only financial solution available to you! We also are happy to accept flexible financing with CareCredit, which means that you won’t have to pay for your entire treatment at once. Instead, you can choose one of their budget-friendly payment plans (sometimes with low-to-no interest attached!) that breaks up the cost into manageable, monthly chunks.
Dentures Aftercare
Dentures can totally refresh the appearance and functionality of your smile, but the bottom line is that it falls on you to maintain them! This involves cleaning your dentures frequently, but also ensuring that they’re being housed in a hygienic environment! You’ll also want to be sure that you’re handling your restoration with care and protecting it when it’s not being worn. These things might seem redundant at first, but in the grand scheme of things, they make all the difference in the world when it comes to keeping your dentures in great shape. Keep reading below to learn more about a few critical aspects of denture care.
Removeable Dentures
Remove After Eating
One of the biggest benefits of wearing dentures is that they let you eat most of your favorite foods with ease! That said, no matter what you’re eating, it’s important that you remove your dentures afterward in order to wash them off; they’re still susceptible to plaque and tartar buildup, which can negatively impact your oral health as well as leave your dentures stained and foul-smelling. Just be sure that when you’re rinsing your dentures off after eating, you aren’t using hot water since this can warp or disfigure them.
Clean Your Restoration
You can clean your dentures using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of unscented hand soap or dish soap, though denture cleanser is always going to be the best suited for the task. Just be sure to never use regular toothpaste; it’s not designed for dentures and can possibly damage their surface. If you don’t plan on wearing your dentures immediately after cleaning them, place them in a container of water or denture solution to keep them moist and in shape. And before replacing them in your mouth, be sure to rinse them off one last time.
Keep Your Dentures Safe
Your dentures are an important investment and should be treated as such! That said, take the proper precautionary measures to ensure their safety and durability! Whenever you’re removing your dentures to clean them, the chance exists that you might accidentally drop them, which can break them. In order to mitigate this, you can place a towel underneath you as you’re working, so that if you drop them, the fall is cushioned. Also be sure that when you aren’t wearing the dentures, they’re stored in a safe place away from any pets or children.
Remove When You Sleep
Removable dentures need to be taken out at night when it’s time for bed—wearing them while you sleep can restrict circulation to your gums, causing uncomfortable sores and soft-tissue irritation. Research also shows that sleeping while wearing dentures is associated with a heightened risk of pneumonia, as well as higher levels of gum and tongue plaque. With that in mind, it’s best to keep your dentures in a denture-soaking solution overnight to keep them as sanitary and moist as possible—and to keep your mouth in great shape!
Notice Changes
You shouldn’t hesitate to let us know if you notice any changes that affect how your dentures look, feel, or function—these changes might seem small at first, but if left unaddressed, they have the potential to worsen and cause you quite a bit of discomfort. Some initial signs to look for include mouth sores, gum irritation, shifting and clicking noises, signs of infection, and even damage to the dentures themselves. If you’re seeing signs of damage on your restoration, you shouldn’t try to fix it yourself; let us handle it so we can quickly get your smile back to looking and feeling great!
Denture FAQs
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
Although you can sleep with your dentures, it’s not recommended. That’s partly because your gums need time to rest. If blood circulation is restricted for too long, then you can experience problems like soft tissue irritation. We also recommend taking them out while you sleep so bacteria doesn’t collect under your dentures. Instead, place your restoration in a glass filled with water or denture cleaner. By morning, they will be fresh and ready to use!
Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?
We don’t recommend having your healthy teeth pulled. If, on the other hand, your teeth are severely decayed, cracked, or on the brink of falling out, then your treatment plan will begin with the necessary tooth extractions. That way, the final result isn’t just a complete smile; it’s a healthy one too!
Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?
Since toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients that can scratch the surface of your dentures, we don’t recommend using it. We also don’t recommend using any household cleaners, like bleach, since they contain toxins that are not safe to ingest. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, some clean, lukewarm water, and a mild dishwashing liquid to clean them after each meal.
What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?
Even one missing tooth can negatively impact your bite. The good news is that dentures can restore the strength of your bite, allowing you to eat a much more varied diet in the process. With that said, there are some foods we recommend avoiding completely, like gummy candies that can tug on your restoration. We encourage patients to steer clear of popcorn, whole apples, raw nuts, tortilla chips, and other crunchy foods since they require more chewing power. The best thing to do is stick to nutrient-dense foods, like oatmeal, and cut your food into smaller pieces if they are a bit tougher.
Why Do My Dentures Smell?
If your dentures smell, it might be the result of improper care. That’s why we recommend going back to the basics, like using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them after each meal and soaking them in a denture cleaner each evening. Of course, it’s just as important that you implement a solid at-home oral hygiene regimen and avoid pungent foods (i.e., onions, garlic, fish). If the odor persists, then it may be due to an untreated oral health problem. So, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Worcester dental team to schedule an exam.
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
At first, you may have some difficulty speaking with dentures. Rest assured, it will become much easier with time. That’s why practicing is so important! Try reading out loud to start and then move onto having conversations with close friends and family members. Before long, you’ll have mastered speaking with dentures.
