Dentures – San Antonio, TX
Recover
Your Bite
& Confidence
Your teeth can serve you for a lifetime if you care for them properly over the years. Unfortunately, even with the best preventive efforts in place, you may have an incomplete smile. Although you may feel isolated, it is a common problem. Whether due to decay, disease, infection, or an injury, 120 million Americans have lost at least one tooth, and another 36 million do not have any remaining. There is hope to restore your smile with removable partials or dentures in San Antonio, TX. With our advanced dental technology, these prosthetics are more lifelike and comfortable than ever before.
Why Choose New Image Dentistry for Dentures?
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100% Custom-Made Dentures
for Each Patient -
Mock-Ups Let You
Find the Perfect Fit -
Latest Technology Makes the Process
Fast & Easy
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are the most traditional solution to replace missing teeth because they are convenient and affordable. They are custom-made to meet your exact specifications to reinstate a healthy, functional smile. Dentures can be removed and put back into your mouth with ease while allowing you to smile with confidence, speak clearly, and eat many of your favorite foods again.
Although they will never feel like your real teeth, new advancements now allow them to be more comfortable than ever while also creating a natural-looking appearance.
How Do Dentures Work?
After an initial consultation to assess your oral health and to discuss your preferences, Dr. Christopher J. Holland will create a customized treatment plan. He will use the latest technology to craft a gum-colored acrylic base that fits over your gums. To replace the upper arch, the denture may include a palate-plate that covers the roof of your mouth. A lower denture usually has more of a horseshoe shape to accommodate your tongue.
Your dentures are made to meet your exact needs in a dental laboratory using impressions of your mouth. Dr. Holland uses digital imaging and computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies to take innovative and comfortable impressions to ensure more precise results.
The 3D imaging and CAD digital impressions allow Dr. Holland to design the dentures right in our dental office. This saves you time and money without compromising the fit or aesthetics of your new smile. The dental lab then makes them to his specifications from high-quality materials that allow them to fit better and last longer.
Which Denture is Right for Me?
Depending on how many teeth you are missing, Dr. Holland will determine which type of denture best meets your needs.
Partial Denture
If you have a few healthy teeth remaining, a partial denture may be right for you. Prosthetic teeth are created to match the color, size, and shape of your natural ones to blend in when you smile. They are held in a gum-colored base, which features a metal framework. This allows the partial to anchor to your remaining teeth using a clasp or a clip. Many patients prefer a partial as an alternative to a traditional bridge because it is removable.
Conventional Full Denture
In some cases, you will need to have tooth extractions, or some tissue removed before you can receive your new dentures. If you do not have any remaining teeth, you may need a conventional denture to replace an entire arch. The gum-colored base is made to fit your mouth, which is held in place using suction or an adhesive. You cannot receive the denture until after you have healed from any prior treatments, which may take several months.
Immediate Dentures
In most cases, Dr. Holland can offer immediate dentures. These removable dental restorations are crafted in advance and placed on the same day your preparation is completed so you will not need to go without any teeth. This process can require up to 5 appointments to allow our team to plan and design the dentures before the final preparations. After the custom prosthetic is complete, we remove any teeth necessary before placing the denture.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Our dental office also offers implant-supported dentures and partials for qualified patients. These rely on dental implant posts to secure your denture to your jawbone. If you would like to know whether this alternative option is right for you, our team would be happy to assess your smile and make a recommendation.
What If My Dentures Are Loose?
After you receive your new denture, it will feel a bit awkward at first, but in no time at all, you will be able to speak and chew with ease. At first, your denture may feel a bit bulky or loose, but as your muscles in your cheeks and tongue learn to hold it in place, any issues should subside.
If you are still having problems with the denture slipping, you may need to try a different adhesive. If the irritation or soreness is too much, you may need to have them adjusted.
How Long Do Dentures Last?
Unfortunately, your dentures will not last forever, but there are several things you can do to promote their longevity. Over time, your denture will need to be relined, remade, or rebased because of daily wear and tear. Rebasing is a process that puts a new base on the denture while keeping your existing teeth. As you age, your mouth will also change, making your denture loose. We can resolve the issue before you need to have a new one made about every 5 years.
How Do I Care for Dentures?
With the right care, you can help to ensure your new smile lasts for as long as possible. When caring for your denture, it is best to:
- Handle your denture gently. Place a folded towel on the floor or countertop to provide a layer of protection in case you drop it.
- Do not let your dentures dry out. If they are not in your mouth, they need to be soaking in a special solution or water.
- Brush your dentures every day to remove food particles and plaque using a soft-bristled toothbrush. This helps keep your dentures odor-free and beautiful.
- Brush your gums, tongue, and palate twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove plaque and bacteria.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Dentures are a proven method of tooth replacement that many dentists continue to provide to patients in need. Although there are ways to lower the cost of dentures in San Antonio (i.e., cheaper materials), you may be putting yourself at risk. In most cases, the quality of the product you receive is largely based on how much you’re willing to pay. Cheaper, less resilient materials will be more prone to breakage, resulting in additional costs to repair and replace. However, by choosing a prosthetic made from top-of-the-line materials, you can expect your denture to remain in optimal shape for many years. At New Image Dentistry, Dr. Holland is here to discuss which factors are used to generate the cost of your overall treatment. This will give you a clearer understanding of how much you can expect to pay for your new smile and why higher-quality materials are always a better choice.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
We cannot provide a thorough estimate of your treatment until we are granted the opportunity to examine your oral cavity. Partial and full dentures carry different costs, so it is necessary that we review the current state of your smile as well as determine if you will need any preliminary treatment, which can certainly add to the total cost.
When sitting down to discuss your eligibility for dentures in San Antonio, you can expect these factors to come into play when formulating a cost estimate:
- Preliminary Treatment: In some cases, patients are required to undergo periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, or even bone grafting before receiving dentures. Only in situations where dentures may not be successful will we recommend these types of treatments, as they are designed to prep your mouth and create a more suitable environment for your new prosthetic.
- Materials: Acrylic is the most popular material used when creating partial and full dentures. Although it is not the only solution, most dental professionals prefer it simply because it is durable and mimics the natural soft tissue of your smile. Apart from the actual fee incurred from the acrylic materials, you can also expect the labor to create your prosthetic to be factored in.
- Type of Artificial Teeth: How many artificial teeth you need as well as the materials used to create your new pearly whites will also be included in the total cost of treatment. Porcelain, ceramic, or another similar option can cause your treatment to be on the higher or lower end. The choice is ultimately up to your denture dentist in San Antonio.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Traditional dentures sit on top of the gums and rely on natural suction to hold them in place. If you prefer a more permanent option that doesn’t require dental adhesives, you may want to consider implant dentures. Yes, these are more expensive up front; however, when you consider the money you’ll save not having to buy additional cleaning supplies or products, adhesives, or visiting your dentist for a reline or replacement prosthetic every few years, you’ll see they are well worth the investment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
You will be pleased to learn that if you have dental insurance, there is a good chance they will agree to cover up to 50% of the total cost of your denture treatment. Of course, you will need to check with your insurer regarding the status of your deductible and annual maximum, as this could potentially cause them to pay less. Should you incur out-of-pocket expenses for your treatment, there are additional ways to keep your care affordable.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
At New Image Dentistry, there are two ways you can pay if you don’t have dental insurance, or you need help to pay a remaining balance after filing with your insurance company: our in-office dental plan or enrolling in flexible financing with CareCredit. No matter which option you choose, our team will be here to help you through the process and make sure you continue to move forward with treatment and stress less about the financial aspects of care.
If you’re ready to replace your missing teeth with a tried-and-true solution that is proven effective, don’t wait any longer. We will provide you with a clear and honest cost estimate for your treatment as well as walk you through the steps to paying for your treatment without having to empty your wallet. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.