Dentures – Boca Raton, FL
Rebuild Your Smile with Dentures
Your teeth are designed to serve you throughout your entire life if you care for them properly. Unfortunately, tooth loss remains a prevalent problem. Whether due to decay, disease, trauma, or infection, we can rebuild a healthy, functional smile with dentures in Boca Raton. Advancements in dentistry now allow them to look and feel more natural than ever before! Dr. Lamberti can help you regain a flawless smile with this tried-and-true method of tooth replacement. To find out whether dentures are right for you, continue reading or give us a call.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
It’s incredibly important to replace missing teeth promptly to prevent additional gum disease and tooth decay. Dentures are versatile solution capable of addressing a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or even an entire arch. The process starts with a consultation where Dr. Lamberti will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth to craft the best treatment plan tailored to your needs. He’ll then review your options with you, allowing you to make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Types of Dentures
Each type of denture is custom-made to meet various patients’ needs. Dr. Lamberti and the rest of the team will help you explore your options and explain the pros and cons of each. Based on your examination, we’ll recommend one of the following solutions:
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures have a gum-colored acrylic base designed to replace one or several missing teeth. They snap onto your healthy natural teeth, securely and comfortably filling the gaps in your smile.
Full Dentures
Full dentures fit snugly on your gums, imitating the look and function of natural teeth. They can be held in place by natural suction or denture adhesive, allowing you to chew a wide range of foods. If extractions are necessary, we typically wait until your mouth has healed before fitting your full dentures.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures offer enhanced security due to implant posts that form a permanent bond with your jaw. The number of implants required depends on your bone density. These dentures remain firmly in place and restore a significant amount of chewing power.
The Benefits of Dentures
Dentures have evolved significantly over the last century. No longer made of wood, these advanced prosthetics now offer a functional and beautiful solution for restoring your smile. Here are some of the key benefits of modern dentures:
- Aesthetically pleasing results
- Enhanced confidence
- Greater bite power
- Better functionality for eating, chewing, and speaking
- Long-lasting durability with proper care and maintenance (can easily last decades or more with implant-retained dentures)
- Improved oral health
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
During your first appointment to discuss getting dentures, we will explain the different factors that help determine the final cost and give you a reliable estimate of what you can expect. Our team will answer any questions you might have related to the price, and they can help you find ways to make it easier to pay for your new teeth. Remember: every patient is different, and the amount you pay for dentures can vary based on what your needs are.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
A few different factors can influence how much you end up paying for dentures. Some common variables include:
- Preparatory Work: You might need gum disease therapy or tooth extraction before you’re eligible for dentures. Any preparatory treatments will come at a separate price.
- Number of Missing Teeth: Do you need a partial denture that will fill in a few different gaps or a full denture that will replace the entire arch? The amount you pay depends on what kind of denture you get, so the number of teeth being replaced needs to be considered carefully.
- Materials: Some dentures are made of cheaper materials than others. However, cheaper restorations are often more likely to break, so it’s usually worth investing in higher-quality dentures instead.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures require oral surgery and at least four different implant posts, all of which need to be paid for separately. In other words, yes, implant dentures tend to have a higher cost than traditional dentures. The higher price tag is well worth it when you remember that dental implants offer many benefits that you wouldn’t be able to enjoy with traditional dentures alone. Furthermore, dental implants can last for decades, meaning you won’t need to pay for replacements as often, if ever.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
You’ll need to check with your insurance company to get a definite answer to that question. Most of the time, though, you can indeed expect your insurance plan to provide some level of coverage for dentures. The exact amount of coverage you’ll receive varies from plan to plan, but it’s normally in the neighborhood of 50%. If you don’t fully understand your dental benefits, one of our team members will gladly go over your policy with you.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Patients who don’t have dental insurance (or are struggling to pay for dental care even with insurance) can break up the cost of dentures by applying for a third-party dental financing plan. Our practice works with CareCredit and LendingClub, both of which offer a number of low-to-no-interest plans that can fit any budget. If you’d like to use third-party financing to help pay for your dentures, our team will be more than happy to help you explore the available options and go over the process of signing up.
Denture FAQS
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Whether you are missing a few teeth in a row, several throughout your mouth, or an entire arch, you may be a candidate for dentures. The type, however, will be determined by you and our denture dentist in Boca Raton. For example, patients missing all of their teeth are best suited for full or implant dentures, while those with some of their natural ones intact are ideal for partials. Factors like existing oral health problems and jawbone density will also be considered. Don’t worry – with the right preliminary treatments, almost everyone is a candidate for dentures.
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
Talking with dentures is not difficult once you’ve mastered maneuvering them properly. The good news is that the adjustment period is typically short-lived, especially if you dedicate time to practicing. With this in mind, make sure to read out loud regularly and repeat more difficult words, like “sixty,” until you get it right. Before you speak, bite down on your dentures and swallow. This will keep them in the proper position and remove any excess saliva. Above all, be patient. Go slow and give yourself time.
Why Do My Dentures Smell?
If your dentures smell, it’s most likely because bacteria have become trapped in your restoration or against your gums. On the other hand, it could be the result of sores from ill-fitting dentures. In both cases, it’s best to talk to your dentist (don’t be fearful of judgment either; their number one goal is to provide you with a healthy, happy smile). During your appointment, they can determine the root of the problem and share with you the next best steps, like cleaning your dentures more often or adjusting them so they fit correctly.
Can You Kiss with Dentures?
Absolutely! Dentures are custom-made to look, feel, and function as naturally as possible. With that being said, it may take some time to get used to. Therefore, make sure to be gentle, taking precautions to avoid bumping your dentures against your partner’s teeth. If you have full or partial dentures, using a little bit of denture adhesive can help keep your dentures securely in place.
Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?
Since you use regular toothpaste to clean your natural teeth, you may think of using it on your dentures too. However, the abrasive ingredients can scratch your restorations, leaving them vulnerable to stains and damage. Therefore, it’s best to use a dentist-recommended denture cleaner and a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub away plaque, food particles, and other debris.