According to the American College of Prosthodontists, about 40 million adults are missing all of their teeth. If you’re suffering from the effects of this issue, you’re not alone. Having gaping holes in your smile can impact your overall well-being, ability to complete everyday functions, and your self-esteem. The good news is, there is a natural-looking solution that can help. At Fromuth & Langlois Dental of Manchester, we offer customized full and partial dentures to replace several or entire arches of missing teeth. Dr. Stephen Langlois has even been honored with the Quintessence Award for his clinical achievements in restorative dentistry. If you’d like a beautiful and repaired smile, contact our office today to schedule an appointment!
With the ability to restore anything from a few missing teeth to an entire arch, dentures are far more versatile than people think. During your consultation, Dr. Shah will examine your mouth to determine whether or not this tried-and-true solution is right for you. Although most people are able to move forward with the process, there are instances where preliminary procedures may be necessary to get your oral health up to par. Even if you’re not initially a good candidate, there are several things that can be done to make you a viable one.
There are many different reasons for tooth loss. Some of the most common reasons behind it are tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. This can lead to numerous different consequences that can affect the quality of your life. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, those who have suffered from tooth loss often experience facial sagging, difficulty speaking, trouble eating, and lower self-esteem.
By replacing your missing teeth with dentures, you can improve all of these issues. Ultimately, dentures can restore the appearance and function of your teeth, allowing you to speak, eat, and smile with confidence once again!
Dentures are a great option for almost anyone who has experienced significant tooth loss. However, if you are getting dentures, you will need to be willing to properly care for your replacement teeth and the health of your smile. If you have any oral health issues, like tooth decay or gum disease, they will need to be treated before you can move forward in the process of getting dentures.
The number of teeth you are missing will ultimately determine which type of denture you will receive. Another great thing about dentures is that they are more affordable than other tooth replacement options, like dental implants. This way, if you are unable to invest lots of money into your smile at this time, you can still wear a complete smile.
If you don’t make a good candidate for dentures or you are interested in other options, here is what is available:
At your appointment, we’ll assess your unique tooth loss situation to figure out which type of denture works best for your smile. Don’t worry – we’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of your options and outline a cost estimate so you can know what to expect. Based on our evaluation, we’ll recommend one of the following:
Partial dentures, also known as removable bridges, are recommended for patients who are missing several teeth in a single arch. Instead of having to sacrifice their remaining healthy teeth, they can use this strategically designed restoration. The replacement teeth and a small gum-colored base are connected to a metal clip or bracket that can easily be taken in and out of your mouth. The foundation shape is made to easily and unnoticeably fit behind your existing teeth, keeping your replacement ones from shifting while you speak or eat.
Full dentures are recommended for patients who are missing an entire arch of teeth. Customized replacement teeth made from natural-looking materials that resemble home-grown enamel sit atop a gum-colored acrylic base. Because full dentures are removable, patients can take them out before they go to bed to give their mouth a break, this feature also makes them easier to clean. Traditional dentures stay securely in place using natural suction and denture adhesive, allowing for added stability and durability. If patients would like an unwavering and more permanent option, these restorations can also be retained by dental implants.
For patients who don’t have a lifestyle that would easily meld with traditional dentures, they can have them retained by implants, or titanium posts that are placed under their gums. These are used to provide your dentures with a secure, comfortable, and long-lasting foundation to be placed on top of. To find out if you’re a good candidate for this modern restorative procedure, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with a dentist in Manchester, such as Dr. Fromuth or Dr. Langlois.
When you’re missing several teeth, it can be difficult to do things you once found easy, like thoroughly chewing your food and speaking clearly. Many people also feel insecure about their smiles when they have visible gaps. By opting for dentures to address significant tooth loss, you can completely transform your smile! Here are some of the many benefits you can experience:
People who are missing all of their teeth often have a difficult time accepting their tooth loss and are less likely to engage in social activities. Along with this comes effects on self-esteem and social life, as well as a higher risk of experiencing sadness and depression. By replacing one’s missing teeth with dentures, patients are likely to experience a significant increase in confidence and self-esteem.
Missing teeth can make it a lot more challenging to speak. In order to pronounce and perform words, your lips and tongue need to be positioned in a certain way. Some sounds can be very difficult to make when you aren’t able to touch your tongue to your teeth. Dentures act as your missing teeth, allowing you to enunciate clearly. After a short adjustment period, you’ll be speaking just like you used to.
Many nutritious foods are tough in texture. This includes certain vegetables, fruits, and healthy proteins. When you are unable to chew your food thoroughly thanks to tooth loss, you can experience issues like indigestion and malnutrition. Dentures allow you to enjoy a more expansive diet so you can get all of the essential vitamins and minerals you need to thrive!
Dentures can help to prevent any remaining healthy teeth from becoming misaligned. Dentures also bear some of the pressure of regular chewing, therefore reducing the wear and tear of the existing teeth. This can help to keep your remaining teeth healthier for longer!
Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you! When it comes to things like job interviews, sales, and getting promotions, it is crucial that you make a great first impression. Having a beautiful, complete smile will do nothing but help you with your endeavors.
Each patients’ tooth loss situation is different, which makes it difficult to put a single cost on replacement options. When you visit Fromuth & Langlois Dental of Manchester for a consultation, we’ll examine your mouth and develop a customized treatment timeline, so you know exactly what to expect along the way. During this appointment, we’ll also be able to answer any questions you have about how much your restorations are going to cost and whether your insurance will cover it.
When determining the cost of dentures, you’ll want to keep three main factors in mind. This includes preparations needed to make a denture feasible, the materials used in the base of the denture, and the materials used for the restorations.
For example, if you need to have teeth extracted beforehand, this will increase your overall cost. Furthermore, differing types of acrylics can be more or less expensive depending on how well they can be customized to match your existing gum tissue. Additionally, porcelain teeth tend to reflect light and remain more durable than acrylic teeth.
At the end of the day, dentures are an investment, which means ensuring their longevity does not necessarily mean opting for the cheapest option possible. You’re going to be wearing it for hours a day for years to come, so it’s best to choose a denture that focuses more on quality than anything else!
Implant dentures are generally considered to be more expensive than traditional dentures because they require dental implants to be properly attached. An implant denture remains affixed to a series of implants that are surgically placed inside of the jaw beforehand. This gives the prosthesis a substantially improved foundation and prevents slipping and shifting while in use. In many ways, it’s an investment that pays off in the long-term because it also ensures the denture lasts much longer, especially compared to a traditional denture (which typically requires replacement after just 5 to 7 years of use.)
Dentures often fall into the category of “major procedure” and therefore have around 50% of their cost covered by the average dental insurance plan. However, insurance coverage can largely vary from plan to plan, which means it is likely to be covered, but not guaranteed. Regardless, our team members at Fromuth & Langlois Dental of Manchester will be happy to help you confirm your specific benefits before any phase of treatment begins.
Even if you do not currently have dental insurance, you can still make your denture fit into your budget. Our dentists are happy to offer third-party financing through plans from CareCredit. This option allows you to pay for care over the course of several months in more manageable installments, making it possible for just about anyone to afford a new smile. Alternatively, we encourage you to learn more about our office’s in-house membership plan. After signing up, you only need to pay a monthly fee as well as a one-time activation cost to start saving on many dental services. This makes it easier to prioritize your costs on tooth replacement.
Millions of Americans have missing teeth. If you’re a part of that group, you know from experience how gaps in your smile can affect your appearance and overall quality of life. Luckily, you don’t have to live that way forever. At Fromuth & Langlois Dental of Manchester, we offer dentures to help you enjoy a fully functioning grin once again. Of course, it’s completely normal to have a few concerns about the process before committing to it. To help you out, we’ve decided to answer some frequently asked questions below.
Most patients have to wait about six to eight weeks after getting their teeth pulled to receive dentures. However, the exact amount of time varies from person to person depending on the type of denture in question. Even though two months may sound like a long time, it’s necessary to ensure your gums have sufficient time to heal properly. Immediate dentures can be placed on the same day as an extraction, but they will need to be swapped out sooner as the shape of the jawbone changes while you heal. If you’re receiving implant dentures, you’ll need to wait about four to six months for the implant to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue via osseointegration.
When you first get your dentures, you’ll be asked to keep them in your mouth for 24 hours, including sleep. After that initial period, it’s strongly recommended that you remove them every night before bed. That’s because wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. By taking them out daily, you allow your gums an opportunity to recover and get the nutrients they need throughout the night. Additionally, sleeping with dentures is associated with poor oral hygiene and an increased risk of pneumonia.
It shouldn’t! If you need to have oral surgery before getting dentures in Manchester, you’ll likely experience mild discomfort following the procedure. However, you can easily manage it by using cold compresses and taking your pain medication as directed. Once you actually start wearing your dentures, you might have slight irritation while your mouth adjusts to the new appliance. Although this adjustment process can last months, the exact amount of time will vary from patient to patient.
Initially, you may difficulty speaking with dentures because you’re so used to talking with your natural teeth. The good news is that any lisp or speech impediment you develop should go away as soon as you adjust to the oral appliance. You can speed up the adjustment process by reading aloud, having more conversations with loved ones, and repeating difficult-to-pronounce words. If your dentures move while you speak, you can use denture adhesive for extra stability.