Dentures – Houston, TX
Enjoy a Complete Smile Again
It’s no secret that people who are missing all their teeth often rely on dentures for eating, speaking, and smiling. In fact, it’s estimated that around 40.99 million Americans currently wear dentures. Are you in need of a solution for extensive tooth loss? Dr. Matt Hiner and Dr. Reagan Hiner are here to help! Give our office a call today to schedule a consultation and find out whether dentures could be your best choice for reclaiming a complete grin.
Why Choose Hiner Family Dentistry for Dentures?
- Lifelike, Comfortable Replacement Teeth
- Highly Compassionate Dentists and Team
- In-Network with Multiple Dental Insurance Plans
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
If you suspect you might need dentures, the first thing you should do is set up an appointment with our team. We can help you narrow down your best option for tooth replacement after performing a thorough oral examination and learning more about your needs. Dentures are a good option to consider if you have lost multiple teeth or a full arch of teeth. While we’re examining your mouth, we may discover that you are suffering from oral health problems such as gum disease. These types of issues will need to be dealt with before you can receive dentures. To find out if this option is right for you, continue reading!
Effects of Missing Teeth
Patients with missing teeth may be able to manage without replacements. Unfortunately, tooth loss (regardless of where in the mouth) can significantly complicate daily life. Biting, chewing, speaking, and smiling can all become incredibly difficult without a complete set of teeth, ultimately diminishing your quality of life. The good news is that dentures in Houston can help restore oral functionality and improve your speech, diet, and overall well-being.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
When considering methods of tooth replacement, dentures stand out as a top choice due to their minimal requirements. To be considered an ideal candidate for dentures, maintaining good oral health is crucial, as cavities and infections can significantly affect the fit and comfort of your dentures.
If you are currently dealing with gum disease or decayed teeth, our priority will be to address and resolve these issues before restoring your smile with dentures. This ensures that once you receive your dentures, you can enjoy them to the fullest, experiencing both improved functionality and a boost in confidence!
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If dentures aren’t appealing to you, or if you’re not an ideal candidate for them, there are other tooth replacement options to consider:
- Dental Bridges – This option involves "bridging" the gap left by missing teeth with a replacement tooth that is anchored by dental crowns on the adjacent healthy teeth. It’s suitable for patients who are missing one or a few teeth and requires that the surrounding teeth be in good condition to support the bridge.
- Dental Implants – This involves surgically inserting a screw-like post into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth. It requires the patient to have a strong and sufficient jawbone structure. Although dental implants are more expensive than dentures, they are designed to be a permanent solution, potentially lasting a lifetime.
Types of Dentures
Do you need a partial denture or a full denture to fill in all the empty space in your smile? And will your denture be supported by dental implant posts? Our practice is proud to offer different kinds of dentures that can meet the needs of a variety of patients; here’s a brief look at the available options.
Partial Dentures
Do you still have plenty of healthy teeth? If so, the gaps between them can be filled with a personalized partial denture. This type of prosthesis consists of lifelike artificial teeth as well as a gum-colored base, and it comes with clasps that help it stay attached to your mouth.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are a time-tested solution for when an entire row of teeth is gone. Full dentures have gum-colored bases and natural-looking artificial teeth just like partial dentures; however, instead of using clasps, they rely on natural suction to remain in place on your gums.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures offer a higher level of stability and chewing power than traditional dentures. This is thanks to the implant posts that provide them with support and prevent them from moving around in your mouth. Note that in order to receive dental implants, you need to have a certain level of bone density in your jaw.
The Benefits of Dentures
- A More Varied Diet: Missing teeth can significantly limit your diet, but dentures allow you to enjoy a variety of foods again.
- Fully Personalized: Your dentures will be designed to fit comfortably in your specific mouth.
- Longevity: Dentures can often last around 7 to 10 years, especially if you make a point of taking good care of them.
How Dentures Are Made
Today, dentures aren’t like the ones that you remember your grandparents having. They are customized to fit perfectly in your mouth while giving you a natural-looking smile. However, to provide these benefits, dentures require a multi-step process. Read on to learn more about dentures, how they are made, and what you can expect as you adjust to your new prosthetic.
What Are Dentures Made Of?
Dentures consist of two separate parts: the base and the replacement teeth. Here is what each of them looks like:
- Base: The base is the foundational structure of the replacement teeth. It can be made from many different materials, like acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, and metal. Acrylic tends to be the most common material because it is easily tailored to match your gum tissue, leaving you with a natural appearance.
- Teeth: The replacement teeth are generally made from resin or porcelain because they appear very similar to natural tooth enamel – even in the way that they reflect light. However, porcelain is a more popular option for full dentures because it is more durable.
The Denture Creation Process
Dentures are customized for each person’s mouth. This requires multiple steps to achieve. Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, but here are the main steps to be expected:
- First, your dentist will take measurements of your jaw and impressions of your upper and lower gums. This is used to make a plaster model of the mouth. It is used to ensure that your final denture fits perfectly.
- The model is sent to the dental lab. This is where your dentures are going to be made. First, your replacement teeth are set into place using a mechanical device known as an “articulator.” Adjustments are made by a lab technician.
- The wax dentures are sent back to your dentist for a fitting. If everything looks good, they are returned to the dental lab to complete the process.
- Once the dentures are returned to the dental lab, the wax needs to be replaced with acrylic. To do this, the lab technician places the dentures into a flask. Plaster is poured into the flask to maintain the shape of the dentures. Then, the entire flask is placed in hot water to melt away the wax.
- The plaster is carefully cut away from the dentures using dental tools. The dentures are placed into an ultrasonic bath to wash away the rest of the plaster.
- Excess acrylic is cut from the dentures. Then, the dentures are polished to perfection.
- Now that your dentures are complete, you can return to the dental office so you can try them on. If you and your dentist are both happy with the results, you can leave the practice showing off your new smile!
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
After you get your new dentures, you will likely experience some soreness, but this isn’t something to worry about. Temporary discomfort is common as one adjusts to their new prosthetic. After some time, your dentures will start to feel more and more natural. When you first get your dentures, it’s a good idea to stick to softer foods and exercise your facial muscles. If discomfort persists or you have concerns, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Considering dentures to replace missing teeth is a significant decision, especially when it involves the costs associated with them. At Hiner Family Dentistry, Dr. Matt Hiner and Dr. Reagan Hiner aim to provide high-quality, affordable dentures for every patient, regardless of their current financial situation. However, the cost of these prosthetics can vary based on several factors. Read more below to learn what to expect so you can make an informed decision about the future of your oral health.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
The cost of dentures is nearly never the same from patient to patient. Here are some of the factors we look at when determining the price of your prosthetics:
- Preparation Needs: If teeth need to be extracted before dentures can be fitted, this will add to the overall cost.
- Denture Base: While many patients prefer acrylic, there are other materials like nylon available that are more expensive.
- Replacement Teeth: The material used for the replacement teeth is also important to the overall cost of your prosthetics. Most patients choose porcelain because of its durable and life-like appearance.
It's important to remember that choosing the cheapest option at every turn might mean compromising on quality. We often recommend Investing in high-quality materials to ensure better comfort, aesthetics, and longevity.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Yes, implant dentures are more expensive, but they offer many advantages that justify the higher cost! Implant dentures are attached to dental implants that we surgically place into your jawbone. This provides a more permanent and lifelike solution that doesn’t slip.
They enhance confidence, increase nutritional options, and support your jawbone health. Also, while traditional dentures typically need replacement every 5-7 years, implant dentures can last much longer, making them a worthwhile investment over a longer period of time.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Dentures are generally considered a major procedure and are likely to be covered by dental insurance at around 50% of their cost. However, coverage varies by plan and provider, so it’s important to confirm your specific benefits. If you need assistance, our team at Hiner Family Dentistry are dental insurance experts who can help you understand and maximize your benefits before beginning treatment.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
There are other ways to make dentures more affordable, even if you don’t have the benefit of insurance coverage. We’re dedicated to helping every patient get the care they need, so we offer an in-house membership plan and happily accept CareCredit financing.
- Membership Plan: Hiner Family Dentistry offers an in-house membership plan that provides discounts on most of our dental services, including dentures. This eliminates the need for expensive insurance and the hassle of claims, deductibles, and yearly maximums.
- CareCredit Financing: CareCredit is available to help split the overall cost of your treatment into manageable, budget-friendly payments. This makes it easier to afford the quality care you need without a significant upfront expense!