Dentures – Gainesville, GA

The Types of Dentures

There are three main types of dentures in Gainesville:

Full Dentures

These are what you likely envision when someone mentions the word “dentures.” Full dentures consist of an entire set of ceramic teeth attached to a gum-colored base made of acrylic. This base fits right over your gum tissue and stays attached with natural suction and a little bit of denture adhesive if necessary. Full dentures are used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth.

Partial Dentures

Also known simply as partials, partial dentures are used for patients who are only missing some of their teeth. As many teeth as you’re missing are attached to a metal framework that clasps onto your remaining natural teeth, fitting into your smile like the missing piece of a puzzle.

Implant-Retained Dentures

While today’s dentures are more comfortable and well-fitting than ever before, they still lose their fit every few years and have to be replaced. To avoid this problem, you can get your dentures secured with dental implants. Your dentist in Gainesville, Dr. Her, can place an average of four to six implants throughout your jawbone. Then, either a full or partial denture is attached to these implants, allowing for a full smile that looks and feels completely natural. In addition, they prevent the bone loss that comes as a result of prolonged tooth loss in a way that traditional dentures alone simply cannot.

Are Dentures Right for You?

If you’re missing all your teeth, a full denture is just what you need. Likewise, if you only have a few gaps in your grin, you could benefit from a partial. In either case, your new teeth could easily be held in place with dental implants. However, we generally ask that your remaining teeth and gums be infection-free before placing dentures. That means if you need to get fillings or gum disease treatment, that must be squared away beforehand.

Benefits of Dentures

Dentures offer several advantages over simply suffering through tooth loss. For one, they allow you to smile with complete confidence once again. No longer will you be in the habit of covering your mouth when you laugh to hide the spaces in your smile.

They also allow you to speak correctly again. Sometimes, missing teeth create speech impediments, like whistling sounds, when you try to pronounce certain words. Dentures allow you to talk just like you did when you had all of your natural teeth.

Additionally, dentures restore your ability to eat virtually whatever you want. While certain sticky foods like caramels and chewing gum generally don’t agree with dentures, you can still eat much more than you could with missing teeth. This allows you to eat a more varied diet with plenty of nutritious foods that happen to be chewy or crunchy, like lean meats or raw vegetables.

Finally, dentures are a highly cost-effective solution to tooth loss. They are designed to be affordable and to fit into nearly everyone’s budget. You won’t have to worry about cost stopping you from having a full smile!

Denture FAQs

If you’re looking to restore your smile and bite, dentures in Gainesville are a classic, affordable option. At Lifetime Dental, we’re proud to use the highest-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology for the best results. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions about this traditional tooth replacement option below.

I Need Dentures—Where Do I Start?

The first step on your journey towards a beautiful, complete smile is to schedule a consultation with your Gainesville dentist Dr. Shue Her. During this appointment, Dr. Her will go over your smile goals with you and review your oral and overall health. This will help him determine which tooth replacement options will best help you reach your desired results. After fully explaining all your options, he’ll help you choose the one that’s best for you and design your custom treatment plan.

Do I Brush Dentures Like Natural Teeth?

While your dentures aren’t vulnerable to tooth decay like natural teeth are, you’ll still need to clean them at least twice a day. Regularly removing plaque, bacteria, and food debris plays a key role in preventing oral health problems like gum disease and infections. However, regular toothbrushes and toothpastes are too abrasive on your dentures and can end up scratching or weakening them. Instead, you should only clean them with special denture brushes and cleaners to keep your new smile beautiful and healthy for years to come.

How Long Will My Dentures Last?

The lifespan of your dentures relies heavily on how well you take care of them. For instance, if you handle your dentures carelessly, you may break them and need to replace them sooner than normal. On average, your dentures should last about a decade before losing their fit and needing to be replaced.

However, the same doesn’t hold true if you’ve restored your smile with implant-retained dentures. Since these restorations have fused directly with your jawbone, they’re designed to become a permanent solution to tooth loss. You can easily expect to enjoy their unmatched comfort and stability for a lifetime with the proper care!

Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Dentures?

Every dental insurance policy is different, so there isn’t a single answer to this question. Generally speaking, dental insurance companies will cover at least a portion of the cost of dentures. You’ll need to review your policy paperwork or call your insurance provider to see just how much is covered in your plan. Or, you can simply bring your dental insurance information with you to your consultation. Our talented and compassionate team has years of experience helping our patients maximize their benefits. We would be happy to go over your policy details with you.

We are in-network with numerous insurance companies and work with virtually all PPO plans. Additionally, we offer third-party financing through CareCredit. This trusted company can break down the price of your treatment into payments that fit into your budget. During your consultation, we’ll be happy to help you discover how affordable regaining your complete smile can be!

Don’t let missing teeth keep you from fully enjoying your life! Call us today to see if you can benefit from full or partial dentures!