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Dentures – Colleyville, TX

CUSTOM-MADE PROSTHETICS FOR RENEWED SMILES

 

Several missing teeth can cause major problems not only for someone’s self-esteem but their overall health as well. People with multiple missing teeth have been shown to be at a higher risk of developing other serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, not to mention the daily struggles of just trying to eat and speak. At The DFW Dental Implant Center, Dr. Branberg can provide you with a high-quality, custom-made denture that will not only restore your oral health and appearance but safeguard your overall health as well.

Why Choose DFW Dental Implant Center for Dentures & Partial Dentures?

  • Both traditional & implant-retained dentures available
  • Dentist with years of prosthodontic training
  • Dentures custom-made for every patient by our own on-site technician

Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?

Woman with dentures in Colleyville

Good candidates for dentures are those individuals who are missing multiple teeth or entire arches. Typically, partial and full (complete) dentures are the best options, as they are known to be reliable, natural-looking, and highly effective at restoring oral function.

However, the only way to know for sure which option or if you are a candidate for dentures is to have a member of our team perform a thorough examination. We will need to identify how many teeth you are missing as well as the type of denture you will need.

Effects of Missing Teeth

Going without teeth may seem like a viable option at first, but the truth is that life becomes much more challenging. You use your teeth daily for eating as well as talking, which means these tasks are more difficult without strong teeth. When you eat soft, processed foods exclusively, you are likely going to see your overall health decline. Missing teeth can also land a huge blow to your self-esteem, affecting your mental health.

In terms of your smile, lost teeth lead to several negative outcomes; namely, the surrounding teeth shift out of alignment into the space to compensate for the gap. In addition, the jawbone starts to lose density when the roots of teeth are extracted.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Although most patients with tooth loss can get dentures, there are a few basic requirements. For instance, your mouth must not have any infections, and you must be in good health generally. Uncontrolled diabetes, among other ailments, can interfere with your new prosthetic teeth.

While we’re putting together your treatment plan, we’ll survey the status of your oral and overall health to determine if you require preliminary care before moving forward, which might include periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, or bone grafting.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Although dentures are a popular choice for those who are missing two or more teeth, there may be a better alternative available. For example, if your missing teeth are in a row and have a healthy tooth on both sides of the gap, you may wish to consider a bridge.

Ultimately, however, the best option is attaching your dentures to implants. With these anchors, the dentures don’t have to rely on suction, which means your replacement teeth won’t slip. You also get the added benefits of keeping the jawbone strong and of being able to use your dentures for decades before needing replacement.

Types of Dentures

Full dentures in Colleyville

When meeting with a member of our team, you will discover there are multiple types of dentures available, such as:

Partial Dentures

Partial metal dentures in Colleyville

Partial dentures can replace multiple consecutive and nonconsecutive teeth missing throughout the mouth. They are custom-shaped to fit among a patient’s remaining healthy teeth like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. They consist of ceramic teeth held together using a metal framework and fit within the mouth using small clasps that loop around healthy teeth. With a partial denture, our team can restore someone’s smile while preserving as many of their natural teeth as possible.

Read More About Removable Partial Dentures

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES?

There are two main types of removable partial dentures (RPDs):

Resin-Based RPD or Flipper

Resin-based RPDs are routinely used as temporary prostheses after teeth are removed or while one or more dental implants heal. They can also be used as an interim prosthesis while a patient prepares for a more definitive treatment option.

Metal-Reinforced RPD

Metal-reinforced RPDs are routinely used as a final prosthesis to replace multiple missing teeth. They are a good option for patients with financial constraints and those wanting to avoid additional surgical procedures.

ADVANTAGES OF RPDS

  • Replace missing teeth for a single fee
  • More affordable than crowns, bridges, and dental implants
  • Shorter treatment time
  • Easy to clean
  • Can be reinforced with metal for added strength
  • Esthetic

DISADVANTAGES OF RPDS

  • Removable
  • Metal clasps can trap food and accumulate plaque
  • Metal clasps can be visible when you smile, speak or laugh
  • More difficult to chew food than with dental implants
  • Speech can be affected
  • Can lead to the loss of neighboring teeth

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT DURING RESTORATIVE DENTAL TREATMENT?

Step 1: Final Impression

A final impression is made using a custom impression tray designed specifically for your mouth. The more accurate this impression is, the better your RPD will fit.

Step 2: Framework Try In

The metal framework or plastic base is tried to evaluate the fit and stability of the RPD. The bite is recorded, and the color, size, and shape of the denture teeth are chosen.

Step 3: Esthetic Evaluation

The denture teeth have been set in wax so you can evaluate your smile, speech, and bite. This allows us to make any necessary changes to the denture teeth before processing. After the setup of the denture teeth has been approved, the RPD is finished.

Step 4: Deliver Your New Removable Partial Denture

The definitive RPD is tried on, and the smile, speech, bite, and overall fit are evaluated. The RPD is adjusted to relieve any pressure areas and to finalize the bite, so it feels even.

Flippers

Flipper in Colleyville

In many cases, a patient needs to have one or more decayed/broken teeth removed to create more room for a new denture. Right after the teeth are extracted, a patient will wear an acrylic removable denture that is sometimes referred to as a “flipper.” This is a temporary solution that allows a patient to have a full set of teeth as they heal. Once their mouth is ready, the flipper will be replaced by a patient’s final denture.

Full Dentures

Upper arch of full dentures in Colleyville

Whenever you hear the word “dentures,” the image that probably pops into your mind is of complete dentures, that is, two entire rows of prosthetic teeth. These dentures can help patients missing most or all of their teeth, and they are designed to sit directly on the gums and stay in place thanks to natural suction. With them, a patient can regain the ability to eat and speak normally again, and thanks to Dr. Branberg, they can also help a patient smile with confidence.

Read More About Traditional Complete Dentures

ADVANTAGES OF DENTURES

  • Replace ALL missing teeth for a single fee
  • More affordable than an implant denture or full-arch implant bridge
  • Shorter treatment time
  • Easy to clean
  • Esthetic

DISADVANTAGES OF DENTURES

  • Removable
  • The lower denture can easily be dislodged when you speak, eat, or swallow
  • The upper denture is held in place through a “suction-like” effect, which can be broken when you yawn or sing
  • Eating is a learned technique and can be difficult initially
  • Speech can be affected

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT DURING RESTORATIVE DENTAL TREATMENT?

Step 1: Final Impression

A final impression is made using a custom impression tray designed specifically for your mouth. The borders of the tray are molded to match the movement of your lips, cheeks, and tongue to help prevent the dentures from being too long and coming loose when you speak, eat, or swallow. The more accurate the impressions, the better your complete dentures will fit.

Step 2: Wax Try In

Plastic bases with wax blocks are tried to record the bite and to make specific measurements of your mouth. The color, size, and shape of the denture teeth are also chosen.

Step 3: Esthetic Evaluation

The denture teeth have been set in the wax so you can evaluate your smile, speech, and bite. This allows us to make any necessary changes to the denture teeth before processing. After the setup of the denture teeth has been approved, the complete dentures are finished.

Step 4: Deliver Your New Complete Dentures

The complete dentures are tried on, and the smile, speech, bite, and overall fit are evaluated. The complete dentures are adjusted to relieve any pressure areas and to finalize the bite, so it feels even.

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures in Colleyville

Implant dentures are a great option if you would like a more permanent solution to your tooth loss. Using titanium materials that mimic the natural structure of tooth roots, these unique prosthetics are surgically implanted into the jawbone to create a firm foundation for new teeth. Capable of last decades or even a lifetime, they are made to support all kinds of restorations, including full arch dentures. Millions of Americans are already enjoying their many great benefits, some of which include improved functionality, greater confidence, and the ability to eat all types of foods.

Read More About Implant Dentures

How Dentures Are Made

Couple smiling with dentures in Colleyville

Deciding that you want to replace your missing teeth with dentures is a great first step toward achieving a full, complete smile. Of course, part of this process involves learning more about your new teeth and their function. As a result, you likely have some questions about how dentures are made. The information below will help to provide greater clarity about this process so that no matter if you are preparing for partial, full, or immediate dentures, you can better appreciate your new smile.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Full dentures in Colleyville

There are two distinct parts to a denture: the base and the teeth. Here is an in-depth explanation as to how each work:

  • Base of the Denture: The base of your denture is viewed as the foundation. This is what will help to support your new teeth. Made using various materials, they are commonly constructed from acrylic, porcelain, resin, nylon, or metal. Oftentimes, full dentures come fabricated with an acrylic base because of how it can be tailored to the natural shade of your gum tissue. Partial dentures are also crafted from acrylic but incorporate metal clips that attach to natural teeth. There are instances, however, where nylon is used instead of acrylic.
  • Artificial Teeth: Commonly made from resin or porcelain, your artificial teeth will maintain a natural appearance. Of these two options, though, porcelain is the most common and popular because of its ability to take on a more natural look. It is also highly durable, which is reassuring to those suffering from tooth loss. Also, porcelain is known to be a bit abrasive on nearby teeth, so it’s usually used only on full dentures.

The Denture Creation Process

Lab technicians building dentures in Colleyville

When it comes to creating your dentures, there is a step-by-step process that must occur before you receive your final prosthetics:

  • Your dentist or prosthodontist will begin by taking impressions of your upper and lower gums. By creating a plaster model of your mouth, your dentist uses it to ensure that the final denture is created to be the right size and shape. Your jaw will also likely be measured during this stage of treatment.
  • The cast of your mouth will then be sent to a dental laboratory where technicians will fabricate your dentures. A wax version of your gumline will also be created.
  • Artificial teeth will be created and set into place, and a device known as an articulator will attach the teeth using wax. Any minor adjustments that need to be made (i.e., shaping and carving wax) will be completed by the technician to ensure it looks like your gums. The wax base is then used to help with the completion of your dentures.
  • Once the wax dentures are finished, they are sent to our team for a fitting. If approved, they will be returned to the lab for process completion. During this time, you will wear a temporary or immediate dentures while your permanent one is made.
  • Once the lab receives the wax dentures, the technician will boil them to remove any wax areas before placing the prosthetics in a flask. This holds them so that plaster can be poured in to maintain the denture shape. The flask is then placed in hot water so that the dentures will melt.
  • Lab technicians will then make holes within the teeth so that the material will attach, and a liquid separator is added to the plaster layer to keep the acrylic from sticking. Acrylic is then injected into the flask to replace the wax.
  • Once the plaster is removed, the dentures are revealed, and they are placed into an ultrasonic bath to rid the dentures of any remaining plaster.
  • If there is any remaining acrylic, it will be cut off from the denture and trimmed before final polishing.
  • Once completed, you will return to our office for a final fitting. If adjustments are necessary, they will be performed that day so that our new teeth are working properly.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Man smiling with dentures in Colleyville

While it is completely normal for there to be a level of discomfort at the beginning of treatment, it will go away over time. Some mild soreness will occur, and you may find it difficult to speak or eat in the initial days and weeks. As your tongue, teeth, cheeks, and lips become accustomed to your dentures, you will slowly notice that various daily tasks become easier to complete. If you want to try and speed up the adjustment period, you can do so by eating soft foods and exercising your facial muscles. You can also use denture adhesive to help keep your denture in place, offering a bit of added security. Should you, at any point, notice an increase in discomfort, make sure to call our office right away, as additional adjustments may be needed.

The Benefits of Dentures

Man smiling with dentures in Colleyville

Naturally, there’s a reason dentures serve as tooth replacements. They work quite well and restore your smile in very little time! In other words, you can trust them to address the challenges of tooth loss. From there, they’ll greatly improve your quality of life. As for the exact benefits of dentures, we at the DFW Implant Center are happy to explain. Just keep reading to learn about the perks these dental prosthetics can offer you. Otherwise, call our office for extra details.

Psychological Benefits

An older smiling woman admiring her dentures in a hand mirror

Indeed, coping with tooth loss is a tricky thing. Your mood can quickly sour when you don’t have a full smile. In particular, the situation may make you feel anxious or insecure. You’d then begin to feel sad and struggle in social settings. In the worst case, you might even suffer clinical depression.

Luckily, dentures often prevent this outcome. Wearing them restores your smile, so they usually help patients feel confident. Over time, this confidence translates to self-assurance in looks, speech, eating habits, and more.

Clearer Enunciation

An older man smiling and looking at the camera

As you’d expect, it’s pretty hard to speak without teeth. Your tongue can’t enunciate words without all your pearly whites. Given this fact, a toothless grin always causes speech problems. Such issues range from lisps and slurred words to mispronunciations.

All that said, dentures sidestep the speech dilemma. By acting as replacement teeth, they help your tongue enunciate. Therefore, they’ll let you speak clearly after a brief adjustment period. That’s only natural – talking with dentures takes time and practice.

Improves Nutrition

An older couple buying fresh food

If you didn’t already know, losing teeth makes meals difficult. You need your chompers to chew food well. So, lacking them may force you to exclude tough food from your diet. This restriction usually leads to malnutrition and indigestion.

Even here, though, dentures can help. These prosthetics are durable, meaning they let you chew tough foods. As a result, they’d increase your meal choices and improve your nutritional health.

Preserves Oral Health

A happy senior man receiving dental care

Yes, a smile without teeth is harmful to your looks. More crucially, however, this tooth loss damages your oral health. It leads to “smile gaps” that let harmful bacteria breed, thus raising your risk of gum disease and other infections. Those same spaces can also make your remaining teeth tilt and fall out.

Of course, dentures help you avoid these matters. They fill your smile gaps and thus reduce the spread of harmful germs. Furthermore, they can keep your other teeth from tilting or falling.

Expands Opportunities

A happy senior chatting with friends around a table

A nice smile is crucial to good first impressions. After all, its beauty can put someone at ease and prompt positive emotions. That being the case, having a gorgeous grin results in great opportunities. Your flawless teeth can inspire close friendships and better work conditions.

Fortunately enough, dentures can provide just such teeth. That means they’d allow you to forge strong bonds with peers, coworkers, and more. If you’re lucky, the prosthetics might even lead to a promotion or raise at work!

Understanding the Cost of Dentures

Piggy bank and mouth mold in Colleyville

Are you curious about the price of your dentures? The easiest way to get the answers you’re looking for is to contact our office. However, we also want to make the information you need as accessible as possible, which is why we’ve included some of the factors that influence the cost of dentures in Colleyville as well as some specific pricing. Read on to satisfy your curiosity and feel confident in your investment!

Read More About the Cost of Dentures

TYPES OF DENTURES

Dr. Branberg and the rest of our team offer different types of dentures, and your cost will vary depending on the prosthesis your smile requires. For a traditional complete upper denture, your cost will be $2,800 + extractions ($200 each) + sedation. If you want a Locator®-retained implant denture with 4 dental implants, the price is $15,995 (all inclusive) + sedation for the upper. Additionally, a bar-retained implant denture with 4 dental implants will cost $18,995 (all inclusive) + sedation, and All-on-4® (or full-arch permanent implant bridge) starts at $19,995 (all inclusive) + sedation for the upper arch.

If you need a lower denture, your costs are as follows:

  • Locator®-retained implant denture with 2 dental implants - $9,995 (all inclusive) + sedation
  • Locator®-retained implant denture with 3 dental implants - $12,995 (all inclusive) + sedation
  • Locator®-retained implant denture with 4 dental implants - $15,995 (all inclusive) + sedation
  • Bar-retained implant denture with 4 dental implants - $18,995 (all inclusive) + sedation
  • All-on-4® (or full-arch permanent implant bridge) – starting at $19,995 (all inclusive) + sedation

THE PROCESS OF GETTING DENTURES

Once we see you during your initial consultation, we’ll be able to recommend the treatment option that works best. We will prepare your smile by performing any necessary extractions before taking images and impressions of your gums. These are used to custom-make your dentures. Once created, you’ll come back into our office, where we’ll ensure that you’re happy with your results. Keep in mind that if you choose any implant-retained or All-on-4 options, surgery is required, which will add time and cost to your overall treatment.

ARE DENTURES WORTH THE INVESTMENT?

While dentures often come with a higher price tag compared to less extensive restorative options, their benefits make the treatment well worth it. Dentures allow you to eat, speak, and chew with the confidence of having a full set of teeth. They also give you the self-esteem boost you need to flash your grin in any social or professional setting. Plus, you can enjoy a more varied, nutritious diet thanks to your complete smile.

DOES DENTAL INSURANCE COVER DENTURES?

Usually, dental insurance will partially cover dentures. This is considered a major restoration, so most plans will only cover about half of the maximum cost. Additionally, the restoration portion of implant-retained dentures may be partially covered, however, the dental implants themselves will often need to be paid for out-of-pocket. We are committed to making our quality dentistry as affordable as possible, which is why our front desk staff will do all they can to maximize your insurance benefits. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office!

Dentures Aftercare

Soaking dentures in Colleyville

After receiving your dentures, it is important that you commit to taking proper care of your smile. It’s also important that you keep attending regular dental visits. Even if you don’t have any natural teeth remaining or there are very few, there are still reasons to see your dentist. First of all, your dentist will continue to monitor your gum tissue and existing teeth if you have any. They will also be on the lookout for any abnormalities that could indicate oral cancer. When you have dentures, it can be very difficult to notice these changes on your own. Early detection from your dentist is key to making a full recovery!

Removeable Dentures

Remove After Eating

Woman holding her denture

After you eat, you should take out and rinse your denture. This helps to prevent the buildup of food debris and plaque. When rinsing, you shouldn’t use water that is too hot. This can warp the denture material and cause it not to fit properly.





Clean Your Restoration

Man brushing his denture

Take your dentures out when it’s time to clean them. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of unscented hand soap, mild dish soap, or denture cleanser, gently brush your dentures. You shouldn’t use regular toothpaste because it is too abrasive for your prosthetic. If you won’t be wearing your dentures again right away, you should place them in a container of water or denture-cleaning solution. Remember to always rinse your dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.



Keep Your Dentures Safe

Denture soaking in a glasss

When you clean your dentures, put a towel beneath them. This way, if your dentures accidentally slip out of your hands, they are less likely to become damaged. When you aren’t wearing your dentures, remember to keep them in a place that isn’t accessible to small children or curious pets.





Remove When You Sleep

Man sleeping on his side

When you go to bed, you should take out your dentures. This is because wearing dentures restricts the circulation in your gums. This can lead to soft-tissue irritation. Sleeping with dentures has also been associated with higher levels of gum and tongue plaque. You should keep your dentures in a denture-soaking solution overnight. If you let your dentures dry out, they can permanently lose their shape.





Notice Changes

Man at the dentist getting dentures

You should always be on the lookout for changes so you can address them with your dentist. This includes mouth sores, gum irritation, and signs of infection. If your dentures become damaged, you shouldn’t attempt to repair them on your own. Instead, let us know what’s going on. We can give you further instructions from there. If you don’t think your dentures are fitting properly anymore, this is another reason you should give us a call.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

Man with dentures brushing his teeth

If you have all-on-4 dental implants, the process looks a little bit different. You should brush your dentures twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss your replacement teeth daily. Floss threaders are available to help you thoroughly floss beneath your denture. You should also rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash for extra freshness.

Denture FAQs

Soaking dentures in Colleyville

Are you struggling with the inconvenience of missing teeth? We hope you visit our team soon for a dentures consultation. Before you do that, though, you may want to learn more about this treatment and what you can expect from it. That is why we have compiled the following list of frequently asked questions about dentures in Colleyville. For more personalized assistance, please give our team a call .

HOW MUCH DO DENTURES COST?

The cost of your dentures will depend on various factors, including the extent of your tooth loss, what materials are used to make your denture, and whether you choose an implant-supported or traditional prosthetic. Traditional dentures tend to be one of the lowest-priced tooth replacement options. However, implant-supported ones offer a better long-term value. During your consultation, our team will provide you with an estimate for the price of your treatment and help you explore your payment options.

HOW LONG DO DENTURES LAST?

Traditional, non-implant dentures may become loose over time due to changes in the size and shape of a patient’s jawbone. While relines (adjustments) can make up for such changes to an extent, you will eventually have to replace your dentures altogether, perhaps after 5 – 8 years or so.

Because dental implants help the jawbone to retain its original shape, implant-retained dentures tend to last much longer than their traditional counterparts. They are a popular way to solve and prevent issues related to loose dentures.

WILL I HAVE TO AVOID ANY FOODS?

Traditional dentures can enable you to eat a wide variety of foods. However, you should avoid foods with small pieces that might work their way beneath your prosthetic and irritate your gums (popcorn and foods with tiny seeds are examples of this). You should also exercise caution when you are eating tough foods, such as chewy meats. Implant-retained dentures, on the other hand, can enable you to eat virtually anything without taking extra precautions.

CAN I SLEEP WITH MY DENTURES IN MY MOUTH?

You should remove your dentures every evening before you go to bed. Doing so will allow your gums to rest and recover from supporting your prosthetic teeth all day. When you remove your dentures, you should give them a thorough cleaning and store them in water or a denture-soaking solution overnight.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I ACCIDENTALLY DAMAGE MY DENTURES?

You should never try to wear damaged dentures; they could harm your gums or other soft tissues in your mouth. As soon as you notice any problems with your prosthetic, give our office a call. We’ll assess the damage to your denture and recommend a course of action. In some cases, we can repair damaged dentures. In other instances, we must begin the process of creating a replacement prosthetic.