Dentures – Jonesboro, AR
An Easy Way to Restore Your Smile and Confidence
Millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss. If you’re a part of that group, then you know from experience just how much it can affect your quality of life. Not only does it impact your appearance, but the way you bite, chew, and speak as well. Fortunately, you don’t have to let missing teeth affect you anymore. With dentures in Jonesboro, you can enjoy a complete smile once again! If you’re ready to get started, contact our office and schedule a consultation today.
Why Choose Shane Smith DDS for Dentures?
- Custom-Made for Optimal Function and Comfort
- Locally Owned & Operated Dental Office
- State-of-the-Art Technology to Guarantee the Perfect Fit
Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Whether you’re missing a few teeth or an entire arch, you might be a good candidate for dentures of Jonesboro. Of course, your mouth must also be in good health, and you’ll need to commit to a solid oral hygiene routine. To ensure you’re a good candidate for this method of tooth replacement, Dr. Shane Smith and the rest of the team will thoroughly examine your mouth during your initial consultation. If we find any issues (like an infection in your gums or remaining teeth), we’ll recommend preliminary treatments in your overall plan to restore your smile.
Types of Dentures
Dentures in Jonesboro are an excellent solution for patients suffering from any degree of tooth loss, helping them enjoy a functional and confident smile once again. At your initial denture consultation, you’ll learn more about your available options and recommended treatment plan. In general, there are three types of dentures our team will discuss with you:
Partial Dentures
If you have some healthy teeth remaining, a partial denture may be the ideal option for you. It fits between the teeth to seamlessly close gaps throughout your smile. The gum-colored base and prosthetic teeth are held in place using small metal clasps that loop around the neighboring teeth, completing your grin and restoring a fully functioning bite.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are designed to replace an entire row of teeth at the same time. Like partials, they also have a discreet, gum-colored base and lifelike prosthetic teeth. However, this type of denture sits on top of the gums and is held in place using natural suction or a small amount of denture adhesive.
Implant Dentures
Do you wish to have the sturdy, powerful chewing ability of your natural teeth? If so, you may want to consider implant dentures. Our team will attach a full or partial denture to a small number of dental implant posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. This option allows you to enjoy maximum stability and avoid unwanted movement. Additionally, they can last over three decades with proper care and prevent your jawbone from shrinking after tooth loss.
The Benefits of Dentures
Dentures continue to be one of the most popular methods of tooth replacement, and for good reason. You can reap numerous benefits with this solution, including:
- Boost of self-confidence
- Regained ability to eat a nutritious diet
- Preserve a youthful appearance
- Maintain a natural-looking smile
- Cost-effective method of tooth replacement
- Easy cleaning and maintenance
- Ability to last up to a decade
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
As with most types of dental work, the cost of dentures is almost never the exact same from one patient to another. Because so many variables come into play, we can’t give you an accurate cost estimate unless and until you come into our office for a consultation. At that point, Dr. Smith can review the factors affecting how much your new teeth will cost as well as your options for making your denture affordable.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
Multiple factors can influence the total cost of your denture, but the primary ones are:
- Any preparatory procedures you need (gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, etc.)
- The number of teeth you’re replacing
- Whether you’re anchoring your denture onto dental implants
- The materials your prosthetic will be made from
Keep in mind that cheaper dentures aren’t necessarily the best option. In fact, cheap dentures tend to break down more quickly and be less comfortable than dentures made from durable materials, like the ones we provide here at Shane Smith DDS. For something you’re going to use every single day as you speak, eat, and smile, it’s worth investing in a high-quality solution.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Since implant dentures require multiple dental implants and oral surgery, they almost always cost more than traditional dentures, but for good reason. While a regular denture will need to be replaced every five to seven years, an implant denture can last for several decades, making it a smarter investment in the long term. Plus, implant dentures reliably stay in place without adhesive, and they restore much more chewing power. Together, these factors make implant dentures worth every penny!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
More often than not, dental insurance providers will cover about 50% of the cost of dentures, as they’re considered a major restorative treatment. Of course, this varies from plan to plan. Our practice is in-network with most of the major dental insurance plans, including BlueCross BlueShield and Delta Dental, but we’ll also file claims on your behalf even if your plan is out-of-network.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If your insurance doesn’t provide sufficient coverage, or if you don’t have insurance at all, then we can make dentures affordable by signing you up for a low- to no-interest payment plan through CareCredit. This financing option lets qualified patients split up the costs of their dental treatments into budget-friendly monthly installments.
The best way to know for sure how much your dentures will cost is to schedule a consultation at our office. Our team is always happy to answer your questions and help you feel confident that you’re making the right choice for your smile.
Denture FAQs
Getting dentures can make a massive difference in your day to day life, usually for the best. However, any kind of change like that can be intimidating, and you may naturally have serious questions about what you can expect from your new prosthetic.
We get all kinds of questions from our patients, and we’ll be happy to discuss with you anything you may be curious about. Here are just a few examples of things people often want to know about getting a prosthetic.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
We strongly recommend that you refrain from wearing your dentures to bed. Dentures naturally restrict circulation in the gums, which means that for your oral health it’s important to take them out regularly. Moreover, bacteria can start to develop under your prosthetic if you never take them out. Taking them out to soak in a denture cleaning solution is a good way to not only air out your gums, but to keep dentures from developing bacteria.
Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?
When you first get your dentures, you’re likely to experience disproportionate sore spots and discomfort while your mouth adjusts to your new prosthetic. The amount of time that this will take varies, and it may be a few months before your dentures really feel “right” in your mouth, but you should gradually feel more comfortable as time goes on.
If you find that pain persists or gets worse, you should give us a call so that we can make sure that you aren’t dealing with any substantial problems.
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
In the long run, you shouldn’t have any problem talking while wearing your dentures. However, it’s a skill just like anything else, and it will take some time to master it.
When you first get your prosthetic, make an effort to speak slowly and clearly. You may have to find a bit of time to actively practice talking, either by reading aloud or having a conversation with a friend. Make note of words that give you trouble and pay special attention to pronouncing them correctly. Keep this in mind and you should be back to speaking normally in no time.
As a note, denture adhesive can be especially useful in these first few weeks while you adjust. However, you should avoid overusing adhesive, as this may mask underlying issues with the fit of your dentures.
What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?
While your dentures can allow you to eat more easily than you can without them, there are some foods that you should still probably avoid. For one, sticky foods like peanut butter can potentially pull your dentures out of place, as can gummy candies. Then there are foods that can splinter into pieces, like nuts and popcorn. Small shards of these foods can get under your prosthetic and irritate your gums.
Finally, there are foods that you can eat on occasion but require some additional caution. Tough foods like red meat and crunchy vegetables can put a lot of pressure on your gums, so be sure to cut them into small bite-sized pieces before you eat them.