Missing teeth can make normal daily tasks extremely difficult. Whether it is eating or speaking or attempting to feel confident in your appearance, having a complete smile can make all the difference in the world. But how can it be achieved without it looking fake or unnatural? At Cochell Family Dentistry, Dr. Christel Cochell can provide dentures in Salem, OR or partials to give you the smile you need and deserve. No matter if it's a few missing teeth or an entire arch, she can work to create the sleek, beautiful restoration that will give you the confidence you need to live your life to the fullest. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.
Without a complete smile, you may be tempted to avoid social gatherings. Since it is the first thing people notice, having a complete smile says a lot about who you are as a person, so if missing teeth are keeping you from enjoying the finer things in life, dentures or partials may just be the right solution for you.
But how do you know which one you need?
A partial is a custom-made prosthetic that is designed to work much like a puzzle piece. If you have missing teeth that are scattered along a top or bottom arch, a partial can be created to fill in the gaps and give you a complete smile.
Much like a partial, a denture is also custom-made, but instead of replacing only a few teeth, it restores an entire arch of teeth. Whether you need to replace all your teeth on the top, bottom, or both rows, these uniquely-designed restorations are smaller and sleeker, making them a comfortable, lifelike solution.
Dentures and partials are custom restorations that will not only help you regain your oral function, but they can also restore your confidence. If you’re unsure if you are a good candidate for this type of restorative dentistry, an easy way to tell is if you have experienced significant tooth loss along one or both arches. You must also have healthy gum tissue and a sufficient jawbone that is sturdy enough to hold up your restoration.
Dentures are amazing prosthetic devices that can help your smile stay beautiful and functional for many years if you take excellent care of them. Even if you have lost all your natural teeth, regular dental checkups and cleanings are still essential to prevent nasty soft tissue infections that can lead to serious oral and overall health consequences. Here’s a quick look at a few of the best ways to keep your dentures in great shape from the friendly team at Cochell Family Dentistry.
After eating or drinking anything but water, remove and carefully rinse your dentures to flush away plaque, food debris, and sugary residues. However, do not use hot water since the heat can cause your restoration to warp and ruin its fit.
At least once a day, remove your dentures for a thorough cleaning session. Many patients find it best to do this at night before they set their dentures to soak since it ensures that they will have clean appliances in the morning.
When cleaning your dentures, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a little bit of unscented hand soap, mild dish soap, or an approved cleaning agent. Take care to clean your appliance using short, circular strokes to prevent scratches. If you are not going to wear your dentures immediately after cleaning them, be sure to soak them in a clean container filled with lukewarm water or an approved soaking solution so they don’t dry out and warp. Before putting your dentures in after soaking them, take care to thoroughly rinse them so you don’t place lingering cleaning agents in your mouth.
It’s a great idea to place folded towels across your countertop before you clean your dentures so they can have a cushion in case you drop them. It’s also best to soak your dentures in a place where curious children and pets cannot reach them.
The mouth needs to go at least eight hours without wearing dentures every day so it has time to rest and clean itself. Most patients remove and soak their dentures before going to bed so they can immediately resume wearing their appliances in the morning. Continuing to wear dentures for days is associated with a host of oral health issues like gum recession, jawbone erosion, soft tissue irritation, and bad breath, and it may even increase your risk of pneumonia. Be sure to soak your dentures in lukewarm water or an approved soaking solution when not wearing them so they don’t warp.
Pay attention to the state of your dentures and report any issues to the team at Cochell Family Dentistry. Be on the lookout for signs of poor fit such as soft tissue irritation, sores, and popping and clicking sounds as well as symptoms of infection like swelling, redness, or a persistent foul taste in your mouth. If your dentures are damaged or fitting poorly, never attempt to repair them on your own. Instead, contact our office so we can fix or replace them as appropriate.
While dentures and partials might sound like a reasonable solution, you may be looking for something more permanent and offers more functionality. If so, implant-retained dentures are a great alternative. These titanium posts are surgically placed into your jawbone, creating a solid foundation for your implant partial or implant-retained denture. After months spent healing and allowing the implants to fuse with your jawbone and surrounding tissues, we will place your custom-made prosthetic so that it is secured into place.
The cost of dentures in Salem differs for every person. Each case poses different requirements, so it’s impossible for our team at Cochell Family Dentistry to formulate a cost estimate without first completing a thorough consultation. Once we have all the details surrounding your case, we will generate an estimate that you can then review. We’ll discuss available payment options and if you have dental insurance, help maximize your benefits.
During your consultation with our dentist in Salem, there will be discussions regarding the state of your smile as well as what you will require when pursuing dentures. To determine how much your new teeth will cost, we’ll need to:
Many patients inquire about cheaper materials, which are certainly on the market; however, it is worth noting that choosing to opt for these will only result in costlier treatment later on. These often do not hold up as long as higher-quality materials, causing patients to need more adjustments and replacements.
During your consultation, we’ll explain why we use certain materials so that you better understand the benefit of investing in better-quality dentures.
Yes, implant dentures are more expensive upfront; however, they are well worth the investment when you consider that their surgical placement within the jawbone allows for permanency and optimal stability, which produces greater oral functionality when eating, speaking, and smiling.
When reviewing your dental insurance plan, our team will look to see if you are covered for dentures. Most companies do offer coverage for this type of restorative care, and it is often categorized as a service that will allow for 50% of the total bill to be paid for by your insurance company. Before moving forward, though, we will make sure you have met your deductible and have existing annual maximum funds available.
Because not all patients have dental insurance, our team at Cochell Family Dentistry is pleased to partner with CareCredit, which is a third-party financier. With no surprise fees, you can lower your interest rate by enrolling in one of their available plans. This makes it possible for you to spread out the cost of your dentures over several months instead of paying the full amount upfront.
