Dentures – Tyler, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

As you consider dentures, it’s helpful to review tooth loss’s causes and effects. This step lets you see how treatment can protect your health.

First of all, people lose teeth for a great many reasons. Sometimes a tooth decays so much that it falls out or needs extraction. In contrast, gum disease might wear down the bone and tissue securing your pearly whites. People could even have their teeth knocked out from an accident or injury.

Regardless of the cause, however, the effects of missing teeth are consistent. The condition typically makes eating, speaking, and smiling harder. Similarly, the resulting smile gaps will slowly erode your jawbone. That process, in turn, could trigger a facial collapse. It may even result in yet further tooth loss.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

As stated before, most patients can qualify for dentures if they lack teeth. That being said, there are other relevant factors to consider.

One such element is your oral health. Dentures, you see, do more than replace already-missing teeth; they can also replace sensitive or decaying ones. On the other end, though, the restorations only work when a patient’s gum and jaw tissues are healthy. Ideal treatment candidates thus need a commitment to proper dental care.

The number of teeth lost should also be noted. You’ll need one of two possible denture types based on how many you lack. A partial denture, for instance, is best for replacing a few teeth. Meanwhile, a full model is only valid when all pearly whites along an arch are gone.

Even your finances can be a qualifying factor. Dentures, after all, are cheaper than other restorations. Therefore, they’re a great option for patients on a tight budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Don’t worry too much if you’re not a good denture candidate. Should that be the case, we have additional options. More specifically, Southern Oaks Dental has two other restorative services available. These include the following:

• Dental Bridges – As fixed restorations, dental bridges are composed of crowns fused to a pontic. They thus require healthy surrounding teeth to work properly. Otherwise, a bridge lacks the necessary support.
• Dental Implants – Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are prosthetics placed in your jawbone. They thus fuse with your jaw over time. This fusion process ensures they remain secure, but also makes treatment a tad expensive.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What is the Average Age for Dentures?

People of all ages can potentially be candidates for dentures. That said, tooth loss is far more common among older patients. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 66% of adults between the ages of 40 and 64 are missing at least one tooth, compared to only 33% of adults aged 20-39. Since the need for false teeth increases as you age, it should come as little surprise that over half of all people aged 65-74 wear some form of dentures, according to the American Dental Association.

Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?

Keeping your dentures clean by brushing them every day is very important. However, you should not use regular toothpaste to do so, as it can leave microscopic scratches on the surface of your dentures. Instead, use hand soap, mild dishwashing liquid, or a specialized denture cleaner to brush your dentures. In addition, choose a soft-bristled toothbrush over a hard-bristled one.

What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?

While you can eat many of your favorite foods with dentures in Tyler, you will likely have to make some slight adjustments to your normal diet. Certain foods can be harder to chew with dentures or can even damage your false teeth. For example, sticky foods like peanut butter and gummy worms can pull your dentures out of place. Nuts, popcorn, apples, corn on the cob, and other hard foods can damage or dislodge dentures. While you do not have to avoid these foods entirely, you should limit how often you eat them and take extra precautions when you do. Lastly, tough meats like steak or pork chops require an excessive amount of chewing. This can put a lot of stress on both your dentures and your gums.

Can I Sleep with My Dentures?

In general, it is recommended that you take your dentures out every night when you go to bed. Your gums need a break! Wearing dentures restricts the circulation to your gums, leading to soft tissue irritation and potentially speeding up ridge resorption. Taking your dentures out nightly give your gums a chance to rest and recover. Dentures should also be removed for oral hygiene reasons. Bacteria thrives in dark, moist spaces like the underside of dentures. For this reason, sleeping with dentures has been found to be associated with a higher risk of pneumonia.

How Much Do Dentures Cost?

Dentures are one of the most affordable ways to replace missing teeth. The final cost of your full or partial dentures will depend on a number of factors, such as:

• The number of teeth you want to replace
• The quality of materials used to craft your dentures
• Whether any remaining teeth need to be extracted
• Your dental insurance coverage

Every smile is unique. The best way to determine if dentures are right for you is to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Markle, an experienced denture dentist in Tyler. He will thoroughly examine your teeth, create a custom treatment plan, and provide you with an accurate cost estimate.