
Following advanced tooth loss, it’s important to begin the tooth replacement process immediately. After all, when you’re missing numerous teeth, your oral and overall health are at risk. Plus, the simplest daily tasks, like eating or smiling, are suddenly difficult or impossible. At Dentistry by Design, our dedicated team is here to help you with all of your restorative dentistry needs, including the creation and placement of partial or full dentures. If you’ve lost several teeth or a full row, please call to schedule a consultation at our Bartlesville dental office. We look forward to helping you put the smile back on your face.
Patients who are struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss are often candidates for dentures. If you are interested in learning more about this tooth-replacement solution, then come visit Dr. Luke Lumpkin! He’ll learn a little bit about you, your dental history, and your smile goals before conducting a thorough oral exam. Then, he’ll determine the best option for you. If it’s dentures, then he will begin the process of creating your custom treatment plan as well as your custom restoration!
Since no two patients are the same, it doesn’t make sense to only offer one type of denture. That’s why we provide partial, full, and implant dentures at our Bartlesville dental office! Here’s a little more information about each:
Partial dentures, often referred to simply as partials, are used to fill in the gaps left by extensive tooth loss. A partial can be used to replace any number of consecutive and nonconsecutive missing teeth. A gum-colored base material is molded to fit snuggly between any remaining teeth. Then, replacement teeth are attached to the base. The entire partial is held in place by metal clasps attached to the remaining teeth.
Full dentures are crafted, like partials, using a gum-colored base material to support a full row of replacement teeth. Because there are no remaining teeth to support the denture, these prosthetics rely on natural suction between the gums and base material to hold them in place. When properly fitted, full dentures should remain firmly in place, but some patients find it reassuring to use a small amount of denture adhesive to improve the stability of their denture.
For maximum security, you may want to consider a dental implant-supported partial or full denture. These restorations look, feel, and function more like your healthy, natural smile, and can restore 70% or more natural chewing ability compared with just about 20% with traditional dentures. Want to find out if you’re a candidate? Then schedule a consultation with us today!
Decade after decade, patients continue to choose dentures because:
The cost of your new dentures will depend on a variety of factors, including how many teeth you need to replace, what materials are used, and what type of dentures you’ll be selecting. However, the only way to give you an accurate price is to visit Dr. Lumpkin for a consultation. Here’s some more information about how we determine price, and a few options we offer to make your prosthetic more affordable.
There are three major factors that could influence the cost of your new dentures. These include:
Furthermore, it is important to remember that the cheapest denture isn’t always the best. With very inexpensive dentures, you may be getting poor quality teeth which could break frequently. It’s important to choose only durable and safe materials, especially when they’re going in your mouth!
While yes, implant dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures, there’s a good reason for this. Implant dentures are dentures that are secured in place with dental implants, and thus in many models do not need to be removed for cleaning and soaking. Furthermore, because they are more secure, they can be used to eating a wider variety of nutritious, delicious foods.
Though implant dentures are often a bigger investment up front, it is one that will pay for itself with time, as you won’t need to worry about frequent repairs and having to replace your dentures every five to seven years like you would with traditional dentures.
Yes, most dental insurance plans consider dentures a major procedure and will frequently cover approximately 50 percent of their cost. However, please be aware that every plan is different, which is why it’s so important to confirm your coverage before beginning the denture process. At Dentistry by Design, our friendly team will be happy to assist you with this process.
In addition to dental insurance, Dentistry by Design is happy to accept flexible financing through our preferred third-party financier, CareCredit. These payment plans can help patients by splitting up the cost of their denture treatment into flexible, low-to-no interest monthly payments that are better suited to your budget.
If you’re ready to learn more about the amazing benefits of dentures, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Lumpkin today, and get started restoring your healthy, beautiful smile!
Are you thinking about getting dentures in Bartlesville to replace your missing teeth? These long-lasting prosthetic teeth offer patients a plethora of benefits, such as reliability and affordability. However, they also come with a lot of questions, especially if you’ve never worn them before. Whether you’re a first-time denture patient or you’re simply curious about how they work, we’ve decided to answer some of our most frequently asked questions about dentures down below.
Even with the numerous advancements made in dental technology in recent years, no pair of dentures is designed to last forever. On average, your dentures will have to be replaced every 5-10 years. This is because when you’re missing teeth, the shape of your jawbone will change shape over the years, causing dentures to lose their snug fit. You can get your prosthetic adjusted a few times, but eventually you’ll have to replace it entirely.
There’s a common misconception that once you’ve received dentures, you don’t need to see your dentist for checkups anymore. However, this is certainly not true. You’ll still need to see Dr. Lumpkin on a regular basis of at least twice a year, or every six months, just like you did when you still had all of your natural pearly whites. These visits will ensure your dentures are still in good condition and aren’t causing sores or irritation. Dr. Lumpkin can also catch early warning signs of infection or oral cancer while treatment is still relatively easy.
As long as you attend your regular checkups with Dr. Lumpkin, he should be able to determine when your dentures need to be adjusted. In between appointments, if you notice a shift in your jaw that makes your dentures not feel quite right in your mouth, it may be time to bring them to our office and have us refit the base. This will create a snugger fit, minimizing the risk of accidental slippage and maximizing their comfort.
The price of dentures will vary based on your individual needs. Every patient differs. For example, some patients only need dentures on the top or bottom, while others are missing teeth on both arches. Some of the factors that may influence the cost of your dentures include:
Our team is more than happy to take a look at your insurance policy to make the most out of your benefits and reduce your out-of-pocket costs as much as possible.