Dentures – Leesburg, VA

Effects of Missing Teeth

Some of the most common reasons people end up losing teeth include gum disease, tooth decay, poor oral hygiene habits, and accidental injury. Certain systemic complications can also result in a person losing multiple teeth. Regardless of how you end up missing pearly whites, you’ll want to replace them as soon as possible. If left untreated, you might risk struggling with negative impacts on your oral health.

Firstly, your jawbone can start to deteriorate, allowing your natural teeth to start moving out of position to fill in the gaps in your smile, significantly increasing the chance of further tooth loss. Your gums can also begin to recede, reducing the amount of support your pearly whites have. Other complications you might experience include difficulty talking, uncomfortable eating, facial sagging, and reduced self-confidence.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

In most cases, those who are struggling with tooth loss can be candidates for dentures. This type of tooth-replacement treatment is ideal for those who have major tooth loss, decay, or sensitive teeth. To receive these prosthetics, we’ll need to ensure that you have sufficient jawbone and healthy gum tissue for reliable results.

The number of teeth that you’ve lost will also establish the kind of denture you’ll need. Depending on how many you need to replace, our team can offer you options like partial dentures, full dentures, and implant dentures. These prosthetics are also relatively less costly than other treatment solutions, making them a viable choice for those working within a budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you aren’t a good candidate for dentures in Leesburg, you don’t have to worry. We offer other kinds of tooth-replacement treatments to help rebuild your smile, such as:

• Dental Bridges – These restorations are mostly used for patients who are missing one or multiple teeth in a row. A dental bridge consists of two crowns connected via pontics (artificial teeth bridging the two sides), which are then supported by the natural teeth on either side of the space.
• Dental Implants – For superior stability, dental implants can be embedded into your jawbone to offer lifelike results. Not only will your teeth be extremely sturdy and natural-looking, but you’ll be able to preserve a more youthful shape due to the stimulation in the jawbone. Your results can also last several decades to a lifetime with proper care.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

Psychological Benefits

You may not realize it, but losing a significant number of teeth can take its toll on your mental health. Many people with incomplete grins experience social anxiety and may be more likely to suffer from symptoms of depression. But with dentures, you can once again feel confident about the way your smile looks, and you’ll have fewer issues while eating or speaking. You’ll be in a much better place mentally once you have had a chance to see what life is like with your new teeth.

Clearer Enunciation

Are you having trouble pronouncing certain syllables? It’s likely because the teeth that normally allow the tongue to make those specific sounds are no longer there. You’ll have a hard time speaking at important events or even just holding a conversation with your friends if you can’t enunciate properly. While you may need some time to get used to speaking with dentures, once you’ve had a chance to adjust, you’ll find it much easier to make yourself understood.

Improves Nutrition

There are only so many foods that you can eat when you don’t have teeth. A limited diet isn’t just dull for your taste buds; it’s also a major issue that can make it harder to maintain proper nutrition. But with dentures, you’ll have more options when it comes to meals so that you can stay healthy. Just like with speaking, it will take some time to get used to eating with your dentures, but fortunately, you can always ask our team for advice.

Preserves Oral Health

Losing any number of teeth is already a serious oral health issue on its own, but it can also lead to further problems. For one thing, your remaining teeth may shift out of place, disrupting the alignment of your bite. Dentures prevent this issue by making sure your teeth stay in their proper places. The sooner you get dentures, the safer your smile will be.

Expands Opportunities

First impressions matter at job interviews and other important life events. A beautiful smile can help you put your best foot forward, but the gaps left by missing teeth probably won’t leave the kind of impression you want. A customized denture can help you keep your smile looking its best when it matters the most. Never underestimate the positive impact a grin restored with dentures can have on your career and other opportunities that might come up during your everyday life.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

Part of the reason it’s hard to price out dentures without knowing you personally is that there are several factors that can influence their final cost. While it’s hard to name every single one, here are a few that we’re likely to look at.

• Whether there are any preliminary procedures that need to be done, like tooth extractions or gum disease therapy.
• The type of acrylic used to form the base of the dentures.
• The type and quality of the replacement teeth that are attached to the base.
• The size of the denture, which is based on the number and location of teeth they’re replacing.

It’s good to note that you probably shouldn’t just go for the cheapest dentures you can track down. If you do, your prosthetic is likely to be made out of subpar materials, negatively affecting how they feel and look in your mouth.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive? 

The primary difference between implant dentures and traditional dentures is (as you might have guessed) the implants. Unlike traditional dentures, you’ll need surgery to place the dental implants in the jaw before you get your prosthetic.

That makes getting implant dentures a little bit more expensive. However, they also last considerably longer than traditional dentures do, meaning that you can save money in the long run by not having to replace them.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Every dental plan is different, but for the most part, dentures are at least partially covered by insurance. Usually, people can get around 50% of the cost of their dentures paid for by their dental plan, but again, this varies.

At All Smiles Leesburg, we’ll be happy to help you with filing claims and navigating the confusing world of dental insurance so that you can make the most of your benefits.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Even if you don’t have insurance, we have other methods of making dentures affordable. For one, our membership plan can be a great way to save on any care that you receive from us. For just $99/year, you can get 40% off X-rays, cleanings, and 20% off all other services you receive from us.

We also offer financing services from Sunbit and CareCredit. If you need help paying for dental care, these services can split up your fees into manageable monthly payments, which may make the cost of dental care better fit your budget. Give us a call today and we’ll be happy to discuss your options with you!

Removable Dentures

Remove After Eating

Make sure to take out your dentures and rinse them thoroughly after you’ve finished eating a meal. This will allow you to avoid the buildup of debris, food particles, and bacteria. If not, you can end up risking plaque and tartar developing around your prosthetics and your mouth, which can raise your chances of disease and infection. Don’t use hot water for rinsing, as this can warp your dentures and make them not fit you properly anymore.

Clean Your Prosthetics

At least once a day, remove your dentures to brush them clean. We highly recommend not having them on while cleaning them, as you won’t be able to scrub the underside that meets with your gums, which is where bacteria tends to accumulate. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and hand soap. Regular toothpaste can be too abrasive, meaning it can wear your dentures down over time. Before putting your prosthetics back on, rinse them again to remove cleaning materials so that you don’t ingest them.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Though durable and long-lasting, your dentures can still be susceptible to damage. While you’re cleaning them, there’s a chance that they can accidentally slip from your hands and fall. To prevent any breakage or damage, place a towel underneath you so it can catch your prosthetics. To keep them safe, store them in a protective container of water or denture cleaning solution when not in use, and place them out of reach of pets and small children.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

Leaving your dentures in while sleeping can result in several kinds of issues. Not only can they potentially dry out or accumulate bacteria, but this also won’t allow your gums to have a break and receive the nutrients necessary to maintain their health. For this reason, it’s best to soak your dentures overnight in a glass of water or denture cleanser so that they remain moist and fresh until you wear them again.

Notice Changes

Keep an eye out for any changes to your dentures or your mouth. Over time, your prosthetics may begin to wear down, become discolored, or even take some damage, which will need to be repaired sooner rather than later. If you notice any discomfort or issues with your oral health, such as gum disease, mouth sores, or irritations, come see your dentist for help so they can address the root of the problem.