Dentures – Palm Bay, FL
Recreate Lost Teeth for Flawless Smiles
Do you need to replace one or more missing teeth? Fortunately, our talented dentist, Dr. Christopher Nowacki, has the solutions you need: dentures. He routinely fits patients with prosthetic teeth using the most advanced technologies to promote a natural-looking appearance and comfortable fit. With the right treatment plan, you can restore your confidence and quality of life with dentures and partials in Palm Bay, FL.
Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?
More than 40 million Americans wear dentures; are they the right choice for you as well? That’s a question you’re likely to find yourself asking if you have lost any number of teeth. We encourage you to schedule a consultation with our dental team so that we can examine your mouth, consider the specifics of your situation, and give you a concrete answer regarding whether or not dentures are the best option for helping you achieve a complete smile again.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Unfortunately, losing teeth is a far more common dental issue than many people might want to believe. There are many ways teeth can potentially become lost:
- The tissues holding them in place might be damaged due to gum disease.
- They might need to be extracted if they are severely decayed to the point that salvaging them isn’t an option.
- They can potentially be knocked out of the mouth by a sudden impact.
When teeth are lost, it can lead to a number of consequences. For one thing, without a full set of teeth, you’re likely to find that you are unable to eat a wide range of foods, and your ability to speak clearly might suffer. Also, missing teeth can have a negative impact on your self-esteem and confidence, and you may find yourself becoming more withdrawn in social situations.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
If you’re not sure whether you’re a good candidate for dentures, ask yourself the following questions:
- Have you already lost (or are expecting to lose) most or all of your teeth?
- Do you have healthy gums and a strong jawbone?
- Can you commit to taking care of dentures every day while also maintaining good oral hygiene?
Answering “yes” to all of these questions is often a sign that dentures could be the right choice for you. We can discuss your potential candidacy in more detail when you visit our office.
Of course, we won’t just discuss your viability for dentures. We’ll also help you figure out the kind of denture that you should get. Partial dentures can fill in multiple gaps, full dentures can take the place of an entire row of teeth, and implant dentures will let you enjoy the benefits of a lifelike dental prosthesis that is permanently anchored in place. Each of these options has its own pros and cons to consider, which we will be happy to discuss with you.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Dentures are not the only solution we offer for patients with incomplete grins. Depending on the circumstances, one of the following treatments might be a better fit for your smile:
- Dental Bridges: When one tooth or a few consecutive teeth are missing, we can fill in the empty space where they used to be with a dental bridge. Note that a traditional bridge will rely on your healthy teeth for support.
- Dental Implants: Dental implants can be used to replace any number of teeth and are the only type of tooth replacement that can help put a stop to bone loss in the jaw. Our team is able to place and restore dental implants in-office.
Types of Dentures
Tooth loss doesn’t look the same from patient to patient. To stop the challenges of missing teeth while also addressing each patient’s unique smile goals, Dr. Nowacki offers multiple types of dentures, including:
Partial Dentures
If you are missing several teeth, you can fill the empty space with a partial denture. Using impressions and exact measurements, prosthetic teeth are created that are attached to a gum-colored base. A metal framework is used to allow it to clip onto your remaining natural teeth. This not only completes your smile but provides your remaining teeth with the support they need to stay in place.
You can rest assured that your partial will look very close to your natural teeth as we make them blend in seamlessly with your smile. You will not have to worry about anyone noticing that they are not your own, restoring your confidence.
Full Dentures
Dentures are commonly used to replace an entire arch of teeth because they are affordable and convenient. While they often have a bad reputation for looking fake, new advancements allow them to look more natural, so you can smile with confidence.
Using impressions of your mouth, a custom-made base is created, which will match your gum color. It will feature prosthetic teeth that look natural to restore your ability to chew and speak. It is then held in place using suction or a denture adhesive. Now, elite technology allows it to stay in place for a comfortable fit to reduce slipping, discomfort, and irritation.
Implant Dentures
While traditional dentures rely on natural suction or denture adhesive, implant dentures are surgically inserted directly into your jawbone. As a result, they are extremely stable and lifelike. Plus, they can last for more than three decades with proper care (like visiting us semi-annually for a dental checkup and avoiding unhealthy dental habits, like smoking).
The Benefits of Dentures
By treating your tooth loss with dentures or partials, you will make a true investment in your quality of life and confidence. You will once again enjoy your favorite foods while speaking clearly. With a complete smile, you will protect your facial structures to prevent an aged appearance due to premature sagging skin and wrinkles.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Every smile is unique, which means that every denture must also be unique! Dr. Nowacki always does his utmost to ensure that a patient’s denture fits comfortably, looks natural, and, of course, comes at a reasonable price. Because the cost of dentures in Palm Bay can vary greatly from one patient to the next, we’ll be sure to review the details of your case and the factors affecting the price of your treatment. We’ll also work with you to find ways of affording your replacement teeth without breaking the bank.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
When you decide to purchase a denture, three main factors must be considered:
- Preparatory treatments – Some patients require one or more oral procedures before a denture can be placed. For example, severely decayed or damaged teeth must be extracted in order to create a healthy foundation.
- Denture base – The base of your denture is dyed pink to blend in with your gum tissue. It’s usually made from one of several types of acrylic, each of which has a different cost.
- Replacement teeth – The artificial teeth in your denture are typically crafted from either acrylic or porcelain. Again, these materials each come at their own price points.
Before we move forward with the process, your denture dentist in Palm Bay will go over the above factors and how they impact the cost of your new teeth.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Another variable affecting the cost of your dentures is whether you choose to secure your prosthetic onto dental implants. Yes, implant dentures are more expensive initially than traditional dentures. That’s because you have to pay for the implant posts as well as their surgical placement.
However, implant dentures may actually be more cost-effective in the long term. Unlike regular dentures, they won’t lose their fit and slip around, as the implants stimulate the jawbone and prevent it from changing shape over time. For this reason, implant dentures can also last several times longer than conventional ones, meaning they eventually pay for themselves. Coupled with the fact that they make eating and speaking easier, implant dentures in Palm Bay are definitely worth the price!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Since dentures are considered a major restorative procedure, most dental insurance providers will cover up to 50% of the cost. That being said, each dental plan has different levels of coverage based on multiple variables, so we can’t guarantee anything. We can, however, take a look at the specifics of your plan and handle the paperwork on your behalf. That way, you can be sure that you’re receiving all of the benefits you’re entitled to.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
In addition to dental insurance and traditional payment methods, we also accept third-party financing through CareCredit. We’ve partnered with this company to help our patients access the care they need at affordable rates. Qualified patients can break up their treatment costs into manageable monthly installments, often with low to no interest! Our team would be happy to help you with the CareCredit application process.