Dentures – Panama City, FL
Restoring Smiles with Trusted and Proven Solutions
Tooth loss can be a devastating reality for most people. The inability to eat or speak without fear of embarrassment as well as the reality of declining oral health are complications many patients experience. Fortunately, at Baldwin Family Dental, we are here to provide effective and proven solutions to replicate smiles and boost confidence. With dentures in Panama City, individuals living with an entire missing row of teeth can once again eat and speak with greater ease. If you or a loved one are looking for help to rebuild your smile, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Baldwin Family Dental for Dentures?
- High-Quality Materials Used to Create Natural Prosthetics
- Saturday Appointments Available
- Dental Insurance Welcome and Financing Available
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Whether you’re missing multiple teeth or all your teeth, dentures are an ideal restoration solution for almost anyone. To determine your eligibility, you’ll first need to schedule a consultation with Baldwin Family Dental so your dentist can see if you are a good candidate for these prosthetics. In some cases, you may need other procedures to restore the health of your gum tissue or bone structure prior to beginning the process of obtaining your new set of dentures.
Effects of Missing Teeth
There are many reasons you may be missing teeth, including tooth decay, accidental injury, or even gum disease. As we age, we are more likely to lose permanent teeth. Unfortunately, leaving these teeth missing can cause multiple oral and other health problems. These may include:
- Facial sagging: This occurs because the teeth are no longer there to support the structure of the face. Without them, the jawbones begin to deteriorate, causing your face to appear hollowed or sunken, and adding years to your appearance.
- Difficulty speaking: When your tongue cannot touch the teeth to properly pronounce certain sounds, your speech can sound slurred, or you may develop a lisp or speech impediment.
- Trouble eating: Without a full set of teeth, it can be difficult to chew certain foods. This can restrict your ability to eat a healthy diet and get the necessary nutrients to lead a healthy lifestyle and can even lead to malnutrition.
- Low self-esteem: When you’re missing teeth, you may be embarrassed to smile or speak in public. This may even lead you to avoid social interactions, causing you to feel isolated or depressed.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Dentures are an excellent solution for patients who are missing a significant number of teeth, have sensitive teeth, or have teeth with a lot of tooth decay but also have healthy gum tissue and jawbone.
Denture wearers must be willing to commit to a regular oral health routine including proper care of your dentures.
The number of teeth you are missing will ultimately determine which type of denture will be the best choice for you, as there are several different options available, including full dentures, partial dentures, implant dentures, and immediate dentures.
Dentures are also more affordable than other types of dental prosthetics, making them an excellent choice for patients on a limited budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
For patients who are determined to not be a good candidate for dentures, there are several other options to consider, such as dental bridges or dental implants.
- Dental Bridges: These prosthetics are a great choice for patients who are only missing one or a few teeth, however they do require that the teeth surrounding the missing teeth be healthy to provide support for the bridge.
- Dental Implants: Patients seeking dental implants must have solid bone structure to receive this type of treatment, as the titanium posts of your implants must be inserted into a healthy bone that is strong enough to support them.
What Are the Different Types of Dentures?
There are three different types of dentures, all of which Dr. Waheed or Dr. Panousis will discuss with you during your initial consultation:
Partial Dentures
If you have multiple missing teeth along the upper or lower arch, you will notice a change in your bite. This can make it harder to eat certain foods, which can drastically change your diet and how your body consumes proper nutrients. Using a partial denture, we can eliminate the gaps in your smile by creating a gum-colored, acrylic base that blends in with your natural soft oral tissues. We will then have lab technicians secure artificial teeth to the base in the appropriate areas. Using metal clasps or clips, it will attach to your natural, healthy teeth, sliding into place like a puzzle piece.
Full Dentures
Using the same gum-colored, acrylic base and artificial teeth, a full denture can be created to replace an entire row. Crafted in the shape of a horseshoe, a full lower denture will allow ample space for your tongue while a full upper denture will cover the roof of your mouth. As a result, you may need some time to adjust to your new prosthetic; however, with the help of a small bit of dental adhesive, you can feel more confident that your denture will remain firmly in place while eating and speaking.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are an alternative to traditional full dentures, as they use titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone for permanence and added stability. Mimicking the natural tooth structure from root to crown, the prosthetic delivers continuous stimulation to the bone while the customized denture provides a natural-looking, fully functional smile. Although they are known to cost more than regular dentures, they are designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
Benefits of Dentures
When meeting with our team of experts at Baldwin Family Dental, we will go over the many great benefits of choosing dentures in Panama City. The choice to replace your missing teeth will leave you feeling better and looking your best, allowing you to embrace greater confidence and a better quality of life. They’ll also allow you to eat nutritious foods that fuel your body and offer greater health and wellbeing, and they’re usually covered (partially) by most dental insurance companies!
How Dentures Are Made
Congratulations on deciding to restore your smile with dentures! You may be wondering how soon you’ll be able to use and enjoy your new prosthetics. To better understand the time involved in their creation, here is a more detailed look at the manufacturing process.
What Are Dentures Made Of?
Your new dentures are made of two important parts: the base, and of course, the teeth (crowns). Here’s a closer look at each component:
- Denture Base: The base is the foundation of your prosthetic that holds the crowns in place. It can be made of a variety of materials, including acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal. Full dentures are frequently made of acrylic because they can be made to look nearly identical to your gums. Partial dentures may use metal clips on an acrylic base; in some cases, nylon may be used instead of acrylic.
- Artificial Teeth (Crowns): The teeth in your new dentures are usually made of resin or porcelain, as both options look and feel very realistic; however, although porcelain is very durable it is better suited for full dentures as it can be abrasive and damage your natural teeth.
The Denture Creation Process
Your dentures are custom made for your individual mouth, and thus require a multi-step process to ensure a proper look and feel. Here’s a step-by-step look at their creation:
- Step 1: At your first appointment, your dentist will take impressions of your upper and lower gums and create a plaster model to base your new denture upon.
- Step 2: Baldwin Family Dental will send the model to the lab for your new dentures to begin the manufacturing process with the creation of a wax model based on the plaster impressions.
- Step 3: At the lab, the crowns of your denture are set in place with a mechanical device called an articulator. The lab tech can then make small adjustments in the wax by shaping and carving it to make it look more like your gums.
- Step 4: Your wax denture model will now be sent to Baldwin Family Dental, and you will be scheduled to return for your first fitting. Once your model is approved, it will then return to the lab so your new dentures can be created.
- Step 5: Back at the lab, your dentures will be boiled to remove the wax. The lab tech will place them in a flask and pour plaster over them so they will maintain their shape. The flask will then be placed in hot water to melt the wax.
- Step 6: Next, holes will be made in the crowns to allow them to properly adhere to the base. A liquid separator will then be added to the plaster to prevent the acrylic from sticking to it. The acrylic can then be injected into the flask to replace the wax.
- Step 7: The plaster is gently removed using special lab tools, and the denture is then transferred to an ultrasonic bath to clear any lingering remains.
- Step 8: The lab tech can now remove any excess acrylic and polish the denture so it looks and feels smooth and natural.
- Step 9: Once complete, your new dentures will head back to Baldwin Family Dental, and you will come in for a fitting. If any adjustments are needed, they will be made at this time.
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
With any new denture, it is normal for patients to feel a bit of temporary discomfort. This can include mild soreness and difficulty speaking and eating. Over time, your mouth will adjust to your new prosthetics, and they will begin to feel very similar to your natural teeth. To accelerate your adjustment period, be sure to eat soft foods, exercise your facial muscles, and try using adhesive for the time being.
Should the initial discomfort continue, reach out to Baldwin Family Dental, as your dentures may need further adjustment.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Even if you want dentures, the expense might make you hesitate. After all, a treatment is only helpful when you can afford it! Still, the cost of dentures actually varies by patient; you’ll need to consult our dentists for a precise estimate. Once an initial price is set, we’ll do everything possible to make your care budget-friendly. Our team can even explain dentures’ cost factors and the available payment options. If you’d like to learn more, just keep reading or call us today!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
Initially, denture treatment starts with a consultation. This visit mainly aims to see if the prosthetics would suit you. However, it also assesses your procedure’s pricing factors. Such elements include the following:
- Your Need for “Prep Work” – If your smile needs to be prepped for dentures, treatment will cost more. (For example, pulling a tooth beforehand will add to the total expense.)
- Denture Base Material – Since acrylic comes in different types, a denture’s base can cost more or less. One that’s durable and lifelike will naturally be pricier.
- Replacement Teeth Material – In most cases, a denture’s artificial teeth are made of acrylic or porcelain. If you go for acrylic ones, you’ll pay less, but the appliance won’t last as long. Meanwhile, dentures with porcelain teeth cost more but last longer.
Considering these factors, note that the cheapest dentures aren’t the best. The latter sorts use subpar acrylic, resulting in fragile bases and teeth. Therefore, make sure you choose a denture of high quality!
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Technically, yes – implant dentures have a higher upfront cost. Even so, however, these restorations’ cost is justified due to their benefits.
You see, implant dentures use dental implants – restorations that fuse with your jaw. Consequently, they’re more secure and stable than other dental prosthetics. You won’t have to worry about them falling or slipping. Better yet, the fusion process ensures your restored smile looks natural and pretty.
Furthermore, implant dentures are a great long-term investment. Because their implants last 15-30 years with proper care, they have a longer lifespan than typical dentures. You’d thus pay for fewer replacement visits with the former than the latter.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
In most cases, dental insurance will cover dentures. The average plan views these prosthetics as a “medically necessary” dental procedure. As a result, it’ll extend coverage up to 50% of a denture’s cost.
Of course, there are exceptions. Your dental plan may have limited denture coverage or no coverage at all. Given this fact, confirm your benefits before pursuing treatment. Our office staff is happy to help you do so if necessary.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
Whether you have insurance or not, other ways exist to make dentures affordable. Many practices offer helpful payment options to help patients cover costs. For example, our own Baldwin Family Dental offers services like:
- In-House Dental Plans – Once you’ve paid the membership fee, our office can give you discounts on various dental procedures. Such price reductions also apply to dentures!
- Flexible Financing – Our office happens to work with CareCredit, a reputable third-party financier. Through them, you could pay for dentures with monthly low-interest installments. You’d then cover the treatment cost gradually rather than all at once.
Ultimately, Baldwin Family Dental can give you effective dentures at a reasonable price. That being the case, learn more about financing treatment by booking a consultation!