Dentures – Westborough, MA

Effects of Missing Teeth

Missing teeth may be the result of various unfortunate situations, including gum disease, facial trauma, inherited conditions that cause weak teeth, and certain lifestyle habits. Regardless of the reason you have an incomplete smile, living with edentulism (the state of being toothless) can significantly impact both your health and your everyday life.

• You might find it challenging to eat a broad range of nutritious foods, which could affect your overall well-being.
• You could feel self-conscious about the appearance of your smile, leading to a reduction in self-esteem and confidence.
• Some individuals experience strong feelings of sadness or embarrassment, which might cause them to avoid social gatherings and feel isolated.

Even though tooth loss can have a profound effect on your quality of life there is positive news! Dentures can address many of the difficulties caused by missing teeth, offering you the opportunity to regain comfort, confidence, and function.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

You might be an excellent candidate for dentures if you meet the following criteria:

• You are experiencing significant effects from missing teeth, such as problems with chewing, reduced self-confidence, or challenges with speaking clearly.
• Your remaining natural teeth are in poor condition and may need to be removed soon.
• You have lost several teeth, not just one or two. Dentures are usually most suitable for individuals with more extensive or total tooth loss.
• Your gums and jawbone are in good enough condition to support a dental prosthetic.
• You want a dependable and timely way to restore your smile and improve your ability to eat and speak.

During your consultation, our Westborough dental team will carefully evaluate your mouth and discuss which type of denture may be the most appropriate solution to rebuild your smile.

Alternative Tooth Replacement Options

If dentures do not seem to be the best choice for your needs, you may want to consider other tooth replacement options, such as:

• Fixed bridge: A fixed dental bridge consists of crowns on each end that are attached to your healthy teeth, supporting one or more artificial teeth in between. Bridges are known for their durability and can often last for 10 years or even longer.
• Dental implants: Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that get surgically placed into your jawbone. They can support crowns, bridges, or even dentures. This option offers benefits that other tooth replacements may not provide, including exceptional strength and long-term reliability. For qualified patients, dental implants are considered the ideal solution.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Psychological Benefits

While missing teeth are often regarded as a physical problem, the truth is that they can have profound psychological consequences. Whether your incomplete smile is the result of gum disease, decay, an accident, or other circumstances, it may drastically affect how you view yourself and your circumstances. For example, self-consciousness about your appearance might cause you to withdraw from meaningful social interactions. You may feel isolated and lonely, and you might suffer from diminished self-esteem.

Fortunately, dentures have the potential to restore your appearance and your confidence! Indeed, a high-quality prosthetic may greatly improve your outlook on life.

Clearer Enunciation

No doubt, you want to be able to speak with clarity and precision. Missing teeth can negatively affect your enunciation, leading to difficulty with certain sounds. When you first get dentures, you might notice a lisp or other speech abnormalities. Once you adapt to using them, though, your speech is likely to be clearer and easier than it was before you got your prosthetic.

Improves Nutrition

Some edentulous (missing all teeth) people gravitate toward soft, easy to chew foods that offer little nutritional value. Over time, that can lead to nutrient deficiencies and poorer health. Dentures from a dentist in Westborough can equip you to eat a wide variety of healthful and tasty foods, including cooked vegetables, colorful fruits, and tasty meats. In fact, once you get used to eating with them, there should be only a handful of foods that are off-limits.

Preserves Oral Health

If you still have some of your natural teeth, dentures might benefit them in at least two ways:

• Prevent dental drift. Tooth loss can allow the remaining natural teeth to shift out of place. Dentures can serve as a placeholder that helps you maintain a well-aligned bite.
• Distribute chewing force. Dentures bear some of the stress of chewing, which can reduce wear and tear on your natural teeth.

Expands Opportunity

Getting dentures can be a smart career move! Your smile is one of the first things other people notice about you, and if you have obvious signs of poor oral health, such as missing teeth, people may think of you as being less approachable than you are. You may also seem older. In contrast, a confident and attractive smile may help you thrive when you attend interviews or give presentations at work.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures

A few major factors that affect the cost of dentures include:

• Preparatory treatment. Some patients must pay for tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, or other services before they can get dentures.
• The type of acrylic and/or porcelain used to make your prosthesis can have a significant bearing on its price.
• The type of denture. Partial, full, and implant dentures all come at different price points.

If you ever come across a deal for “bargain” dentures, be very wary. Remember, you usually get what you pay for, and quality is very important for what goes in your mouth.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Yes, implant dentures have a significantly higher price than conventional prostheses. The difference in cost is due to the fact that implant dentures require more time, materials, and skills.

Is the increase in price worth it? The vast majority of patients would say yes. Implant dentures are incredibly strong and natural-feeling. They can even preserve the jawbone, something that other types of tooth replacement cannot accomplish. Plus, they can last for many years. In fact, their longevity may make them a better long-term value than traditional dentures, which usually need to be replaced every 5 – 7 years.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

It is very common for denture insurance to cover dentures. They are usually classed as a major procedure, so around 50% of their cost might be covered, up to the amount of your plan’s annual maximum. Our team welcomes many types of insurance, and we will be happy to help you maximize your benefits. Simply give us your policy information so we can assist you as you strive to minimize your out-of-pocket costs.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

In addition to dental insurance, there are a few provisions that may be available to help you afford your new smile:

• Essential Dental Plan. This discount plan is especially for patients without dental insurance. It provides reduced fees on virtually all of the services available in our Westborough practice.
• We accept CareCredit, a third-party company that provides low-interest and no-interest payment plans. The application process is fast, and most people who apply are approved for credit.

Are you eager to learn more about dentures and their price? Our team would be happy to answer your questions and get you on the road to a restored smile. Book your consultation with us today!