Whether you are missing a few teeth in a row or an entire arch, Pasadena Dental Aesthetics may be able to provide an affordable solution to address your concerns. Traditional dentures are considered one of the most popular and inexpensive treatment options for missing or damaged teeth. We offer partial or complete dentures to restore your smile and confidence. Using his many years of experience and the latest dental technology, Dr. Arash Azarbal customizes dentures for patients who desire a non-invasive and effective treatment for lost or broken teeth. For many individuals, dentures can rehabilitate your bite and allow you to smile, laugh, and eat with greater confidence.
- What Are Dentures?
- Benefits of Traditional Dentures
- Dentures vs. Dental Implants
- Denture Options
- Denture Procedure
- Alternatives to Dentures
- Dentures Cost
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are prosthetic devices that are designed to mimic the appearance of teeth and restore the function of your bite. Complete and partial dentures are available for patients who lost some or all of their teeth on the upper and/or lower dental arches. Our goal is to create comfortable-fitting dentures from durable, high-quality materials to deliver results that look and feel natural. This can be a great solution for individuals who are not good candidates for dental implants or are not ready to invest in a more expensive treatment option.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Traditional Dentures?
Some of the biggest advantages of traditional dentures is that the process can be faster and more affordable than getting dental implants. Chewing, smiling, and speaking can be immediately improved upon once dentures are placed on the gums. In addition, dentures are removable, which makes them easy to clean and allows your gums to “breathe” for optimal tissue health. A “sunken in” facial appearance can occur when teeth are missing, but dentures can help make the face seem fuller. As a result, our patients can gain a more youthful look after treatment. Most patients are happy with the outcome because of how realistic their artificial teeth appear. If you ever lose more teeth in the future, your dentures can also be modified to suit your needs.
Patients may quickly reap the benefits of having dentures but can also experience the downsides the longer they have them. Jawbone loss and deterioration may occur over time due to the natural aging process. This can cause dentures to shift and create sores in the gumline. Patients may need to change the fit of their dentures in the future to avoid any discomfort. In addition, some patients may find it hard to eat or taste with a prosthesis in their mouth. To help the denture stay in place while eating, we usually recommend that patients avoid consuming sticky or hard substances. Individuals who are new to wearing dentures may also experience an overproduction of saliva, which can affect the way they speak. Fortunately, hypersalivation usually subsides once a patient is accustomed to wearing their dentures.
Dentures vs. Dental Implants
Here is a side-by-side comparison of dentures and dental implants that gives a brief overview of the potential advantages and disadvantages of each treatment:
Dentures
- Non-invasive
- Less expensive than other options
- Removable
- If tooth extractions or periodontal treatments are necessary before dentures are crafted, the healing process may take several weeks or months
- Must be taken out every night to relieve pressure on the gums and jawbone
- Need to be cleaned regularly or replaced if there are signs of significant wear
Dental Implants
- Requires surgery
- Can be costly
- Permanent
- The osseointegration process (where the implant fuses to the jawbone) process may take six to eight months to complete
- Preserve jawbone density
- Maintenance is virtually the same as cleaning natural teeth
- Results typically feel, function, and look like natural teeth
What Are My Denture Options?
Our dental team can customize complete or partial dentures based on how many teeth are missing or damaged. If you need one or a few teeth replaced, partial dentures are usually the best option. Complete dentures, also referred to as full dentures, can be the most appropriate treatment for patients who have lost all teeth on either the upper dental arch, the lower dental arch, or both. During your initial consultation, Dr. Azarbal will evaluate your needs and goals to determine which type of denture can be an ideal solution for your concerns.
What Does the Denture Procedure Involve?
Customizing a denture involves several steps and may require multiple visits to our office. To get ideal results, some patients may need tooth extractions and periodontal treatments to ensure that their gums are at optimal health. The healing process may take a few weeks or months. When the mouth is fully healed from any prior treatment, Dr. Azarbal will take impressions of the jaw or remaining teeth. These impressions, along with information about the shape and color of your natural teeth and gums, are sent to a trusted dental lab. The dentures are then created with high-quality materials and, within two to three weeks, the finished denture is returned to our office. We will call you in for an appointment to confirm that they have the proper fit and appearance. If necessary, Dr. Azarbal may make small changes based on what he observes and your feedback. Once all adjustments are made to the highest degree of precision, Dr. Azarbal will go over how to properly maintain the denture to ensure it lasts for many years.
Are There Alternatives to Dentures?
Dental Implants. Unlike conventional dentures, dental implants are surgically anchored to the jaw. They are made up of two basic parts: a titanium root form that is placed into the jawbone and a porcelain crown that is affixed on top of it. Dental implants are meant to replace the full structure of the tooth, which allows them to function similarly to natural teeth.
Implant-Supported Dentures. Similar to traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures can replace some or all of your teeth. Dr. Azarbal performs a procedure called All-on-4®, which is one of the most popular alternatives to traditional dentures. For this treatment, four implant supports are used to stabilize the denture.
Mini-Dental Implants. This can be a more affordable alternative to dental implants. Mini-dental implants are about a third of the diameter of standard implants, so they do not require an extensive surgical procedure. Since they are smaller in size, they can be less sturdy and prone to damage when placed under too much stress or pressure. People who grind their teeth may not be ideal candidates for this type of implant.
Traditional/Implant-Supported Bridges. Traditional and implant-supported bridges are created similarly, with a bridge attached to two dental crowns and artificial teeth filling the space between them. The main difference between traditional dental bridges and implant bridges is that a traditional bridge is secured to existing teeth on both sides of the gap. For implant-supported bridges, the prosthesis is anchored by surgically-placed dental implants rather than surrounding teeth.
How Much Do Dentures Cost?
The cost of dentures at our practice can range from $1500 to $ 2500 per arch (either upper or lower). Complete and partial dentures can vary in price based on your customized treatment plan. Our team will consider how many teeth will need to be replaced, the complexity of your treatment, and other factors when calculating the price.
Fortunately, we do accept a variety of payment methods and dental insurance plans. Dental services can be paid for with Visa®, MasterCard®, or American Express®. For patients who would like to pay in installments, we participate in CareCredit® and LendingClub®. These are reputable lending institutions that can provide qualified applicants with low or no-interest rates and appealing terms. We can provide a detailed estimate of treatment costs at your consultation and are happy to give you more information about dental financing options.
To learn more about how dentures can help meet your needs, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Azarbal, please contact us today.