Dentures – Lake Zurich, IL

Effects of Missing Teeth

Tooth loss can be attributed to everything from a dental injury, tooth decay, or even gum disease. The truth is no matter how you may have lost your pearly whites, the effects can be devastating if left untreated.

Some of the most common problems you might face when living with an incomplete smile include lowered self-esteem, difficulty eating certain foods, slurred speech, and jawbone resorption that results in facial changes (i.e., sagging).

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

If you have any of the following, there is a good chance you will be eligible to receive custom-made dentures:

• Extensive tooth loss
• Severe dental decay that requires tooth removal
• Highly sensitive teeth

During an initial consultation with a member of our Grand Dental – Lake Zurich team, one of our dentists will discuss your oral and overall health as well as your jawbone density. It’s essential that you have a stable enough foundation to support your new dentures, so if the underlying bone is lacking, we may suggest a bone graft.

Also, if we find signs of gum disease or tooth decay, we will recommend additional treatment (i.e., tooth extraction or gum disease treatment) before moving forward with dentures.

Since there are various types of dentures available, you can expect that we will go over these options with you to determine which one is right for your smile.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Not all individuals are good candidates for dentures, so if for some reason we find that you do not qualify, we can provide alternative options, such as a dental bridge or dental implants.

• Dental Bridge – Made using two dental crowns and free-standing pontics (artificial teeth) that are fused in a row, a dental bridge closes the gap in your smile by attaching to healthy abutment teeth and resting on the gums. With regular care, these prosthetics can last 10-15 years.
• Dental Implants – As titanium posts that sit within the jawbone and create a stable foundation for your new smile, dental implants are unlike any other solution. They mimic natural tooth roots to stimulate the bone, and they create a more natural-looking aesthetic – one that makes it difficult for others to tell the difference between your real and artificial teeth.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

There are two components of a denture – the base and the artificial teeth. Both are required if teeth are to work normally and allow for better oral and overall health. Below is a brief explanation of each component:

• The Denture Base: Resin, nylon, and acrylic are three types of materials that can be used to create the denture base. This is what supports your artificial teeth once they are attached. Acrylic is most commonly used because it produces a lifelike appearance – one that can closely match the color of your gums. If a partial is being fabricated, a metal framework that includes clasps and clips is incorporated into the base for maximum attachment and support.
• The Artificial Teeth: Resin and porcelain are what dentists primarily use when crafting artificial teeth for full and partial dentures. Porcelain delivers a beautiful aesthetic, as it closely matches the look of natural tooth enamel and is durable against daily wear and tear.

The Denture Creation Process

Although you may only see a completed denture when you arrive for your final fitting, the process that is required to make it takes time as well as a talented and artistic eye for detail. This is where skilled lab technicians come in.

The process begins with a member of our Grand Dental – Lake Zurich team taking measurements of your jaw as well as an impression of your mouth. This will serve as the initial model that will be used to craft your new teeth. A replica is then made and sent to the lab for technicians to create a wax model of your gumline before attaching artificial teeth with the help of an articulator.

It will be sent back to our office so that you can undergo your first fitting. Based on the results, we will either suggest adjustments or send them back “as is” for technicians to complete the creation process.

Once back in the lab, technicians will pour plaster into a flask so that the dentures hold their shape before it is placed into hot water. This melts the wax so that small holes can be made in the teeth. Once the plaster is removed, acrylic will be poured in.

The dentures will be placed into an ultrasonic bath so that any remaining plaster comes off. The dentures are then trimmed so any excess acrylic no longer remains.

With a final polish, your dentures will be sent back to our office for you to receive your final set of teeth.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It will take some time to get used to your new dentures, which is why many dentists refer to this as the adjustment phase. Eating, speaking, and simply learning how to properly clean your new teeth can require some patience; however, the process can be made easier if you follow these tips:

• Speak slowly and try reading aloud to make certain words and sounds easier to say over time.
• Eat soft foods initially so that you can get used to chewing with both sides of your mouth.
• Make sure to soak your dentures every night before bed so they remain moist and don’t break.

If you notice a change in your dentures or they do not feel right after several weeks of wear, call our office.

Psychological Benefits

Dentures can change the way you look as well as how you feel about your appearance. An incomplete smile can cause you to feel depressed or embarrassed; however, being able to see a fully restored set of teeth in the mirror each day offers a new approach to daily life. You’ll enjoy better mental and emotional health, allowing you to feel more confident when surrounded by others.

Clear Enunciation

Slurred speech is a common problem for those experiencing tooth loss. The tongue needs teeth to form words and speak clearly, so when they are missing, it can be difficult to convey what you need to someone else. Once a custom set of dentures is put in place, though, you will begin to notice a dramatic difference in how you talk. Although an adjustment phase is typical, you will soon begin to speak normally and more confidently.

Improves Nutrition

Malnutrition is a common problem among individuals living without natural teeth. The ability to eat nutritious foods becomes too difficult, resulting in the consumption of easier, less healthy options. Fortunately, with dentures, you can resume eating some of your favorite foods. This allows you to enjoy a more varied diet – one consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, leafy greens, and calcium-enriched dairy items.

Preserves Oral Health

When gaps form because of missing teeth but some natural ones remain behind, it’s important to seek tooth replacement as soon as possible. Dental drift can occur, which is the movement of healthy teeth to try and fill in spaces along an arch. This can lead to overcrowding, enamel erosion, and misalignment, all of which can cause poor oral health. However, you can avoid dental drift if dentures are used to fill in gaps and keep natural teeth in place.

Expands Opportunity

Your smile says a lot about you, and it is what people use to form their first impression. This is particularly true when meeting potential employers. The moment you sit down and smile, they will immediately begin to determine whether you will be a good addition to their company. A healthy, complete smile indicates your level of care and attention. With dentures filling in the gaps of your smile, you can prepare to experience greater opportunities that benefit you in all areas of life.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

Choosing dentures to replace missing teeth is a popular option for many patients, but the cost is going to be different for each person seeking full, partial, or implant dentures. When undergoing a scheduled consultation with a denture dentist in Lake Zurich, a patient can expect there to be various factors considered before receiving their estimate, such as:

• The number of teeth that are missing
• If preliminary treatments are necessary (i.e., bone grafting, periodontal therapy, tooth extraction)
• The types of materials used to create dentures (typically acrylic and/or porcelain)

It is often enticing for patients to choose a cheaper provider who can deliver more appealing prices. Unfortunately, the materials used to make less expensive dentures often lead to more frequent replacements. This is why we will clearly explain the types of materials we use to fabricate dentures and why we believe it is more cost-effective to choose a higher-quality option.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Implant dentures are more expensive than traditional prosthetics, but there is a reason. Not only do they consist of titanium posts, but they also live in the jawbone, which means they must be surgically implanted. Because of the oral surgery that is required as well as the durability and longevity of these prosthetics, they are considered costlier than other tooth replacement solutions. Millions of Americans are living with dental implants, though, so it is obvious that they are worth the additional upfront cost, as they can last 30 years or more with proper care.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

Yes, a patient’s dental insurance will likely pay a portion of the cost associated with dentures in Lake Zurich. It is usually around 50% that an insurer will agree to cover; however, this is dependent on whether the patient has met their deductible and how much of their remaining annual funds are available. When meeting with a member of our team, we will thoroughly explain available coverage as well as how to get the maximum amount when filing any necessary claims.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

Uninsured patients can find financial relief when receiving dentures by opting for flexible financing through CareCredit or by enrolling in our in-house membership program. With CareCredit, patients can enroll in a low-to-no-interest payment plan with no surprise fees. By opting for our Grand Advantage Plan, individuals can pay a low, annual fee that grants them access to preventive services as well as a 20% discount on all other available treatments.