Dentures – Bettendorf, IA
Improve the Look, Health, and Function of Your Smile
Today, about 178 million Americans are struggling with tooth loss. The sad news is that the gaps in your smile can negatively impact your self-esteem, your diet, and your overall health. Luckily, there’s good news too: dentures can improve the look, health, and function of your smile. If you’d like to schedule a consultation to discuss this tooth-replacement solution with Dr. Joshua Thomas Pogue, don’t hesitate to reach out. If you want to learn a bit more about dentures first, then keep reading!
Why Choose Pleasant Valley Dentistry for Dentures?
- High-Quality Materials Deliver Unbelievable Aesthetics
- Custom-Made Restorations For the Perfect Look & Fit
- Multiple Financial Solutions Available
Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Whether you’re missing several teeth throughout your mouth or you don’t have any of your natural teeth left, you’re likely a candidate for dentures. After all, they are custom-made for each patient and don’t require oral surgery! As with any dental treatment, there are some exceptions. For example, if you are only missing one tooth, then a dental bridge or single dental implant is a better fit. Similarly, if you’re struggling with severe gum disease, then we will need to address that before moving forward.
Types of Dentures
Did you know that there are several types of dentures? At Pleasant Valley Dentistry, we offer partial dentures, full dentures, and implant dentures, and you can learn a bit more about each right here.
Partial Dentures
As you may have guessed from the name, partial dentures are ideal for patients with partial tooth loss. In some cases, that looks like replacing several teeth in a row. In other cases, that looks like filling several gaps throughout your mouth. Either way, a custom restoration will be made, using the most lifelike materials to ensure the final result looks and feels great.
Full Dentures
Full dentures, on the other hand, are designed to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. While partial dentures are secured in place with a discreet clasp, full dentures are held in place with natural suction or a special adhesive. Again, both the gum-colored base and the prosthetic teeth will be custom-made just for you, ensuring your denture doesn’t look bulky or unnatural in any way.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are a combination of tried-and-true dentures and state-of-the-art dental implants. In this case, we secure your restoration in place with a series of implant posts instead of allowing it to rest against your gumlines. There are several benefits of this approach, including that you won’t have to worry about movement while you’re talking, laughing, or chewing.
The Benefits of Dentures
Decade after decade, patients continue to choose dentures. Why? Well, there are a few reasons. Here are a few examples:
- Dentures are cost-effective
- Dentures are custom-made for each patient
- Dentures can last for 10 years or more with proper care
- Dentures allow you to eat a more varied diet
- Dentures benefit your oral and overall health
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Dentures are a popular and remarkably affordable way to replace lost teeth with lifelike and functional restorations. During your consultation, Dr. Pogue will evaluate your oral health to determine the best way to restore your smile while remaining within your budget. Here’s a brief guide to the costs associated with getting a customized and lifelike set of dentures, but please get in touch with our staff if you’d like to learn more.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
Since each set of dentures is customized to fit the individual patient, the cost of one pair can vary significantly from that of another. However, three particular factors determine most of the overall price of a denture:
- The need for any preliminary treatments such as tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, or bone grafts.
- The type of acrylic used to manufacture the base of the appliance.
- Whether the artificial teeth are made from acrylic, porcelain, or another material. It’s crucial that these teeth are sturdy enough to withstand the pressure of chewing and lifelike enough to give the smile a natural appearance.
With dentures as with everything else, you can expect to get what you pay for. The least expensive option is not always the best, and wearing a cheap and inferior appliance can lead to dental injuries or other oral health issues. Since cheaper dentures don’t last as long, you may wind up paying more for replacement appliances than you would have paid for a high-quality set to begin with.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures are anchored with several titanium posts surgically inserted in the gums, and the cost of placing these appliances will be represented on the final bill in addition to the cost of the restorations. However, these posts give implant dentures the secure hold they need to exert maximum chewing power, preserve the health of the jawbone, and prevent embarrassing situations caused by the restoration sliding about in the mouth during speech. While traditional dentures usually last about seven years before needing replacement if they receive excellent care, restorations secured with dental implants can last much longer. This can potentially save you money since you won’t have to pay for as many replacement appliances.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Since dental insurance plans usually consider dentures to be a major restorative procedure, they are usually covered by about 50%. However, each dental insurance plan is unique, so it’s crucial to understand what your policy will cover before committing to any treatment. If you’re having trouble understanding the benefits included in your plan, our staff will be happy to go over it with you to help you get the most out of your policy.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
While Pleasant Valley Dentistry accepts a wide range of insurance plans, we know that many of our patients are uninsured or underinsured. That’s why we offer flexible financing options through CareCredit and Proceed Finance. These plans can break your bill into small monthly payments that are easy to manage so you can fit a high-quality set of dentures into your budget. If you’d like to learn more about your payment and financing options, please contact our office for assistance.
Denture FAQs
Do Dentures Break Easily?
While dentures don’t break easily, they aren’t completely indestructible. That’s why we encourage our patients to take the necessary steps to protect them, like cleaning them over a soft towel. With best practices like this, your dentures should last for several years!
Important note: If your dentures do break, do NOT use superglue to repair them (it contains toxins that are not safe to ingest). Instead, call our Bettendorf dental team so we can begin the process of repairing or replacing them.
Can Dentures Become Ill-Fitting?
Yes, dentures can become ill-fitting over time. We recommend coming to our office every six months so we can examine the condition and fit of your restoration (as well as your teeth and gums). If needed, we can have them re-lined or readjusted so they fit snugly again, preventing them from moving out of position throughout the day.
Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?
We never recommend pulling healthy teeth. We do, however, need to extract any that are decayed, cracked, or damaged to the point where they cannot be saved. At your initial consultation, Dr. Pogue will review your dental history, take X-rays, conduct an oral exam, and determine if tooth extractions or any other preliminary treatments are needed.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Patients often assume that the only qualifier for dentures is age. That’s not the case; adults both young and old can restore the look, health, and function of their smiles with this tried-and-true tooth-replacement solution! Instead, we need to consider the extent of your tooth loss, your lifestyle, any allergies you have, and your commitment to good oral hygiene habits.
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
In the beginning, you might find it a bit difficult to maneuver your dentures. Don’t worry though – if you practice, it won’t be long until you adjust! We recommend biting down beforehand to ensure that your restoration is in the proper position. Then, swallow to remove any excess saliva that could muddle your speech. If you come across any difficult words to pronounce, repeat them until they sound natural. Many patients find it helpful to converse with a trusted friend, especially at the beginning. Just do your best to be patient with yourself; the adjustment period will be over before you know it.
How Can I Reduce the Cost of Dentures?
Do you have dental insurance? Good news: many providers cover a portion of the cost! If you are uninsured at the moment, that’s okay too. Our team at Pleasant Valley Dentistry offers flexible financing through several trusted third-party financiers, including CareCredit. Plus, we offer periodic specials to help our patients get the preventive, restorative, and cosmetic care they need without stressing about the price.