Dentures – South Windsor, CT
Bring Back Your Whole Smile
If you have missing teeth, there are a few restorative dentistry techniques that can replace them and bring back your whole smile. Dentures in South Windsor are a popular choice because they can be sturdy and natural-looking. If you are thinking about filling in the gaps in your smile with dentures, we would be more than happy to help. Please contact us so we can get you started on the road to a restored smile.
Why Choose South Windsor Dental for Dentures?
- Talented & Compassionate Dentist & Team
- Beautiful, Functional Prosthetics
- Traditional & Implant Dentures Available
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
You might be a candidate for dentures if:
- You are missing all, most, or several teeth throughout one of your dental arches.
- Your remaining natural teeth are in poor condition.
- Your gums and jawbone are healthy enough to support dentures.
- You are looking for an attractive and cost-effective way to rebuild your smile.
During your consultation, Dr. Curcio and our team can evaluate the details of your case and make a personalized recommendation as to whether dentures are right for you.
Types of Dentures
There are a few different types of dentures. During your consultation, our team can recommend the type of prosthetic that best fits your situation. We might determine that you are a good candidate for partial dentures, full dentures, or implant dentures. Here is an overview of each option:
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are popular among people who still have some functional and healthy natural teeth. These prosthetics fit in around the natural teeth and stay in place with the help of small metal or acrylic clips. They can enhance your smile’s aesthetics and prevent your remaining teeth from drifting out of place.
Full Dentures
A full denture replaces either all of the upper or lower teeth. They consist of an acrylic, gum-colored base and a row of artificial teeth, which are usually made of porcelain or acrylic. The base of dentures is customized to fit your unique gums. Natural suction or mild adhesive helps full dentures to stay in place during eating and speaking.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are anchored in place via prosthetic tooth roots (dental implants), which get surgically placed into the jawbone by a qualified specialist. Implant dentures can either be removable or fixed permanently in place. They tend to be stronger and longer-lasting than their traditional counterparts.
Benefits of Dentures
The loss of multiple teeth can have big consequences for both your health and your daily life. Fortunately, dentures can reduce the impact of missing teeth — they can even completely reverse some of the effects of an incomplete smile! When you come in for your consultation, our team can help you understand how dentures may benefit you personally. In the meantime, you might enjoy reading some generalized information about all the advantages that you might experience:
Psychological Benefits
People who are edentulous (missing all their teeth) can experience numerous psychological effects because of this condition. You might notice that you tend to withdraw from social situations due to self-consciousness about your appearance or limited eating ability. In turn, you may feel lonely and isolated. You might also find it difficult to speak with clarity and confidence, which can have further effects on the way you perceive yourself and how you feel around others.
Dentures might give you a new lease on life and give you the boost you need to start enjoying yourself again!
Clearer Enunciation
Clear speech depends on multiple structures throughout the body, including the teeth. Missing teeth may make it challenging to enunciate certain sounds, which could make you feel embarrassed to talk.
When you first get dentures, you might develop a slight lisp. As you adapt to them, however, you should find that your speech becomes clearer than it was before you received your prosthetic. Many people are speaking easily within weeks!
Improves Nutrition
Edentulism may cause you to gravitate toward soft foods that have limited nutritional value. As a result, your overall health could take a turn for the worse. Dentures can greatly improve your chewing ability, allowing you to eat a wide variety of tasty and nourishing foods, including many fruits, vegetables, and satisfying proteins. If you choose to get implant dentures, you can look forward to eating almost as if you still had your natural teeth!
Preserves Oral Health
If you have partial dentures, they may support the health of your remaining natural teeth in at least two ways:
- They can serve as a placeholder that prevents your natural teeth from drifting out of place. Without dentures, you could easily end up with a misaligned bite or additional tooth loss.
- They take some of the forces of chewing, meaning they can reduce wear and tear on your natural enamel.
Expands Opportunity
It might surprise you to know that edentulism can negatively affect your career prospects. Obvious signs of poor oral health may give people the wrong impression about you, causing you to be overlooked for promotions or new career opportunities. In contrast, a complete and healthy smile can make you seem youthful, energetic, approachable, and successful. Dentures can help you make a powerful first impression!
How Long Do Dentures Last?
Dentures are fairly sturdy, and they may last for many years. However, you will probably need to get them replaced long before they wear out. That’s because tooth loss changes the shape of your mouth. Over time, your dentures will stop fitting well. Most people need to get theirs replaced every 5 – 8 years or so. By paying attention to the way your dentures feel and by keeping regular appointments with your dentist, you’ll know when the time comes to think about getting a new set of teeth.
To get the most out of your dentures, it’s important that you care for them well and stick to a good oral hygiene routine. You should:
- Keep your dentures moist even when you’re not wearing them; you don’t want them to warp! Store them in water or a denture-soaking solution.
- Brush your dentures, as well as your gums and tongue, every day. This will remove icky bacteria and plaque that could cause bad breath or stain your artificial teeth.
- Handle your dentures with care. They may break if you accidentally drop them.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Are you considering replacing your missing teeth with dentures? While they provide essential benefits for both your dental health and self-esteem, it’s normal to want to know more about how much the treatment will cost. However, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, as each restoration is highly customized. The cost of dentures in South Windsor will vary from patient to patient, so it’s important to consider the factors that can affect it. Read on below or contact our team at South Windsor Dental to learn more today!
Denture FAQs
Reading through the above information will give you a lot of insight into dentures and how they work. With that being said, it is 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 some 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 Me for Dentures?
Whether you are missing a few teeth or an entire arch, you may be a candidate for dentures. During your initial consultation, Dr. Curcio will take the time to conduct an oral exam, ask you a few questions, and learn all about your smile goals. From there, she can determine if dentures are right for you. The good news is that most patients who are diligent about their oral health are excellent 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 I Eat with Dentures?
Whether you’ve been struggling with tooth loss for years or months, you know the detrimental impact it can have on your ability to eat your favorite foods. Fortunately, dentures can increase 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, which is why you should always exercise caution.
How Can I Reduce the Cost of Dentures?
If you have dental insurance, you’ll be happy to know many plans cover at least a portion of the cost. Since we accept most PPO plans here at the office of Dr. Sara Curcio, you can rely on us to 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.