Dentures—Rockville, MD
Restore the Function & Appearance of Your Smile
If you are currently dealing with missing teeth, you may feel self-conscious about smiling, speaking, or even chewing the foods you love. With partial dentures, full dentures, or implant dentures provided by Rockville prosthodontist Dr. Robert J. Sanker, you can look forward to a healthier, more confident future for decades to come.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Anyone who is missing more than one tooth, regardless of age, can most likely benefit from a denture. While a bridge is better suited for those who are missing a single tooth (or a few consecutive ones), dentures are more flexible in their design and can even replace an entire arch. They are particularly recommended if a patient is experiencing bite problems due to the gaps in their smile. Still, there are a variety of factors we’ll need to consider when determining if you’re a good candidate for dentures. Read on to learn what you should know about the treatment and your eligibility.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Firstly, we’ll want you to understand the reasons for missing teeth in the first place, along with the consequences of not having them replaced early on. The most common causes involve gum disease, accidental injury, tooth decay, and a poor oral hygiene regimen. Other systemic conditions can also increase the risk of losing teeth, such as diabetes.
Without replacing your missing pearly whites, you can end up experiencing a wide range of complications with your smile. Some of these include the deterioration or shrinking of the jawbone, receding gums, and the shifting of your teeth to fill in the gaps. Furthermore, you may likely struggle with chewing effectively, speaking clearly, and reduced self-esteem.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
As mentioned before, nearly anyone who’s missing any number of teeth can be eligible for dentures in Rockville. That is, as long as you have good oral health, strong gums, and sufficient jawbone density to support the prosthetics. Patients who are struggling with sensitive teeth or decay may also be qualified to receive this cost-effective treatment, making it ideal for those working within a budget.
You can also expect to get certain kinds of dentures based on the number of teeth that you’re missing. For example, you might receive partial, full, or implant dentures depending on what would best restore your complete smile.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Not eligible for dentures in Rockville? Even so, our team may be able to help get your oral health ready for future prosthetics. If not, you can still explore alternative options for replacing missing teeth, such as:
- Dental bridges: These prosthetics are designed to replace one or several missing teeth in a row. Dental bridges consist of two dental crowns connected via pontics (artificial teeth) to close the gap. The treatment does involve preparing your adjacent healthy teeth by shaving down a portion of the enamel to make room for the crowns.
- Dental implants: Your prosthetic will be directly supported to your jawbone via dental implants. These titanium posts will fuse to your bone tissue, creating the optimal foundation for natural-feeling teeth. This also means you can preserve your jawbone, facial shape, and the rest of your smile. Your results can typically last decades to a lifetime with proper maintenance!
Types of Dentures
Whether you have lost teeth due to disease, genetic disorder, malnutrition, or any other everyday dental ailment, dentures can provide you with all the benefits of a healthy, beautiful smile. And with three options to choose from, including partial dentures, full dentures, and implant dentures, Dr. Sanker can help you find the ideal solution for your situation.
Partial Dentures
If you do not require a full denture because you still have some remaining healthy teeth, a partial denture can be extremely helpful. Removable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth, allowing you to place them when you need them, and remove them when you don’t – it’s that simple. Partial dentures can provide you with the strength and support that regular dentures do, allowing you to chew and speak comfortably. Dr. Sanker will ensure that your partial denture blends naturally with your existing teeth, giving you the complete confidence you deserve.
Full Dentures
When you hear the word “dentures,” it’s probably a full denture that comes to mind. These are designed to cover an entire dental arch and bring back a full row of teeth. Today’s full dentures are not only designed to fit comfortably and stay in place using natural suction (and a little bit of denture adhesive if needed), but they are also natural-looking, meaning a patient can feel confident whether they are biting into something, chewing, or smiling.
Implant Dentures
For the best strength and stability, Dr. Sanker recommends implant dentures. Implant dentures are affixed to a series of dental implants placed into the jawbone, so they don’t sit on the gums like regular, conventional dentures. They are a popular choice because they can be fixed, meaning a patient doesn’t have to take their teeth out to clean them. And, because these prosthetics are held in place just like natural teeth, the dentures themselves tend to be smaller than traditional ones. This allows for more room in the mouth and makes speaking much easier and eating more enjoyable.
The Benefits of Dentures
Patients stand to gain a lot when they choose to get a denture with Dr. Sanker:
- Increased confidence
- Enhanced appearance
- Lower chance of future dental issues
- Ability to eat a wider variety of foods
- Clearer speech
- Prevention of bone loss (implant dentures only)
- Relief from TMJ issues
- Smoother skin around the lips and mouth
Cost of Dentures
It’s understandable to be apprehensive about getting dentures for the first time, especially if you don’t know how much you’ll end up paying for your new teeth in the end. Dr. Sanker and the rest of our team will discuss the costs associated with dentures at great length so that you can start thinking now about how you’re going to fit them into your budget. If you have any questions about the cost of dentures that aren’t addressed below, please bring them to our attention during your visit.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
- Preparation: Sometimes teeth need to be extracted before full dentures can be worn. Other preliminary procedures might also be needed before the mouth is ready for dentures.
- Base Materials: The base of the denture (the part that resembles the gum tissue) can be made out of different kinds of acrylic. Cheaper materials are not necessarily better; they may not last as long and could make for a less comfortable denture.
- False Teeth Materials: The false teeth of the dentures are normally made of acrylic or porcelain. Again, cheaper materials are usually of lesser quality. Paying extra could be worth getting the best possible smile.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
With implant dentures, not only are you paying for the false teeth themselves, but you also need to account for the placement of dental implant posts and the various procedures involved in that process. Obviously, this means that implant dentures are more expensive at the onset, but the upside is that you’ll have a more permanent, lifelike new smile that will let you smile comfortably and confidently. Plus, the investment can end up paying off in a significant way as the years go by. Normal dentures have to be replaced every 5 to 7 years, but implants have a much longer lifespan and thus won’t require you to buy a replacement nearly as often.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Most plans do indeed pay for dentures, but of course it’s always best to check with your provider first to make sure. Our team can use your policy information to confirm what your benefits are for specific treatments before beginning the process. Dentures are normally considered a major procedure, which means that usually you can expect insurance to pay around half of the costs associated with them. (The exact amount can vary depending on the plan in question.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Do you not have insurance, or is your plan not going to be enough to make dentures affordable within your current budget? You might want to consider a CareCredit financing plan. This can make paying for dental procedures much more convenient since the cost is divided into monthly installments. You can even get CareCredit financing for treatments that aren’t normally covered under insurance, such as implant placement. You can apply for CareCredit on our website, but we can also discuss it with you in person if you have any questions.
Denture FAQs
Reading through the above information will give you insight into everything from the types of dentures in Rockville to how to properly care for your new-and-improved smile. With that being said, it’s completely natural to still have a few questions on your mind. Since many of our patients prefer to do their research online, we’ve responded to a few of their most frequently asked questions below. As always, we’re just a phone call away if you’d prefer to speak directly with our team!
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Whether you are missing a few teeth or an entire arch, you may be a candidate for dentures. During your initial consultation, your denture dentist in Rockville will take the time to conduct an oral exam, ask you a few questions, and learn all about your smile goals. From there, he can determine your viability. The good news is most patients who are diligent about their oral health are rock-solid candidates! Even if an untreated condition like gum disease initially stands in your way, the appropriate restorative care can be worked into your treatment plan.
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
As your mouth adjusts to your new dentures, you may experience a bit of a learning curve. During this time, it’s important to be patient with yourself and take it slow. Try reading a magazine aloud and repeating the more difficult words (like “sixty”) until you’re able to say them without a lisp. You should also try biting down and swallowing before you speak which will prevent slippage and excess saliva from messing up your speech. Remember: the more you practice, the faster the adjustment process will be.
What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?
Whether you’ve been struggling with tooth loss for years or a couple of months now, you know the detrimental impact it can have on your smile. Fortunately, dentures can help restore your bite force, allowing you to enjoy your meals pain-free again! Still, it is a good idea to avoid foods that can tug on them like peanut butter and gummy candies. Nuts, raw carrots, and other hard items pose a risk of damaging your restoration as well which is why you should always exercise caution.
How Can I Reduce the Cost of Dentures?
If you have dental insurance, then you’ll be happy to know many plans cover at least a portion of the cost. Since we accept most providers here at the office of Dr. Robert Sanker, let us help you maximize your benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket cost! We also happily accept flexible financing through CareCredit which can break up the cost into manageable payments that fit into your monthly budget. Don’t worry – our team will review all the various financial options with you in-depth at your consultation. That way, you can make an informed decision on which path is right for you.