Tooth loss is a common issue that affects millions of Americans throughout the country. Approximately 178 million
people are missing at least one tooth while 40 million are missing all of their teeth. Fortunately, just because you
have suffered from tooth loss doesn’t mean that you need to go the rest of your life sporting unsightly gaps.
At Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Lansing, we offer high-quality dentures in Lansing to restore the appearance and function of
your smile. For more information, give us a
call! We’d be more than happy to answer your questions and get you started with an initial
consultation.
Why Choose Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Lansing for Dentures?
Customized for Lifelike Appearance
We Accept Dental Insurance
Flexible Financing Options Available
Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Dentures are recommended for patients who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. Depending on the
number of teeth you are missing and where they are located in the mouth, a customized plan will be created just for
you to restore the appearance and function of your smile. If you have any existing oral health issues, like tooth
decay or periodontal disease, you will need to have them treated before you are able to move forward with the
denture process. Our top priority is your oral health!
Types of Dentures
There are several different types of dentures out there to meet the needs of patients. During your initial
consultation, we will determine which of the following is most ideal for you:
Partial Dentures
For people who have suffered from tooth loss but still have some remaining healthy teeth, a partial denture could be
the answer. This denture has an acrylic or metal base, and it is designed to fit like a puzzle piece between your
existing teeth to fill in gaps. Small, discreet clasps wrap around your natural tooth structure to hold your new
replacement teeth in place.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are made to restore an entire arch of missing teeth. They are held into place by the shape and suction
of your gums. Similar to partials, full dentures are made from a gum-colored acrylic base that hold natural-looking
teeth in place.
Implant Dentures
When a patient is missing teeth but looking for a sturdier, longer-lasting tooth replacement option, dental implant
dentures are a probable solution. These dentures are held into place with titanium, screw-like implants that are
surgically placed into the jawbone to act as tooth roots. They allow for additional chewing power and prevent bone
loss over time.
The Benefits of Dentures
You can expect numerous benefits when you choose dentures as a tooth replacement option. Here are just some of them:
Allows for easier eating
Supports facial muscles
Prevents movement of remaining teeth
Covered by most dental insurance plans
Increases confidence
Removeable for easy cleaning
Improves speech
Natural appearance
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Even if you're eager to get dentures, you should learn their potential price first. You can then make an informed
treatment choice, as well as confirm whether the prosthetics fit your budget. Just note that the cost of dentures
varies by patient; you’ll need to consult us for a final estimate. Once you have, our team will walk you
through your care’s pricing factors, dental insurance, and more. Just keep reading to learn the details, or call us soon.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
Your consultation will include (among other things) an oral exam, which will assess several factors that affect your
dentures' cost. These are:
Preparatory Procedure(s) – Sometimes, a patient requires preparatory procedures (gum
disease therapy, tooth extractions, etc.) before they can get dentures. These “extras” would
increase your final treatment cost.
Base Acrylic Type – The truth is that a denture’s base can use varying kinds of
acrylic. Depending on the type, your treatment could cost more or less.
Artificial Teeth Type – A denture’s artificial teeth can be made from acrylic or
porcelain. Those made from acrylic tend to be cheaper, while those using porcelain are more expensive.
At the same time, note that cheap dentures use poor materials. Please choose moderately-priced ones to ensure your
restoration is well-made.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures have a higher upfront price, but don’t be fooled. These restorations offer benefits that a
regular denture can’t match.
All implant dentures include dental implants – metal posts that fuse with your jaw. As such, they don’t
slip or fall like a regular denture might. They’ll remain stable and secure for a lifetime when given the
proper care, all while looking incredibly lifelike and restoring your bite force.
Even better, implant dentures are great long-term investments. Since they can potentially last for 30 years or more,
they rarely (if ever) need repair or replacement work. That means they’ll save you money otherwise spent on
dentures or dental bridges every few years.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Good news: dental insurance often covers dentures! Indeed, most plans view the prosthetics as necessary and cover
around 50% of their final cost. You’ll just need to meet your annual deductible to apply the relevant
benefits.
If there’s any bad news, it’s that exceptions to the above exist. There’s always a chance your
policy has limited coverage, no coverage at all, or similar rules. Given these facts, remember to confirm your
benefits before you commit to care; our team can even help you do so.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry – dentures can still be affordable! Just rely on
our practice’s helpful payment options. Here at Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Lansing, we offer types like:
Dental Savings Plan – By paying an annual fee, you can join our practice’s dental
savings plan and get a major discount on our dentures.
Flexible Financing – Our office is proud to work with CareCredit and Cherry Financing,
reputable 3rd party financiers. Either of them would let you pay for dentures in manageable monthly
installments.
Don’t let your finances keep you away from quality dentures. Instead, visit us – we’ll
help you pay for the restorations your smile needs.
Denture FAQs
Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?
What Should You Do if Your Dentures Break?
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?
Why Do My Dentures Smell?
Can I Use Regular Toothpaste to Clean My Dentures?
Since regular toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients that can create small scratches on the
surface of your denture, it’s not recommended. Instead, you should use a damp, soft-bristle
toothbrush and mild dishwashing liquid to clean them daily. In the process, make sure to get all
of the nooks and crannies that bacteria can get trapped in. When you’re done, rinse them with
clean, cool water and put them back on./p>
What Should You Do if Your Dentures Break?
Although dentures are by no means fragile, they can break. That’s why we recommend taking
certain precautions, like cleaning them over a soft towel or a sink filled with water. Even
then, accidents sometimes happen. If you find yourself with a broken restoration, the best thing
to do is schedule an appointment at our Lansing dental office. That way, we can determine how
severe the damage is as well as the best way to proceed.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
When you first get your dentures in Lansing, you may be advised to keep them on for 24 hours.
After that, however, you need to get in the habit of taking them off at night. This is crucial
for several reasons, including that keeping them on increases your risk of developing painful
mouth sores and pneumonia.
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
Although dentures are custom-made for each patient to ensure they don’t look or feel bulky, it
is very normal for patients to experience a bit of a learning curve. The best way to speed up
the adjustment period is by getting plenty of practice. So, try reading your favorite book out
loud, singing in the shower, or even thinking out loud. Then, when you come across a word that’s
more difficult to pronounce, like “sixty,” repeat it a few times. Before you know it, you’ll
sound like your usual self again!
What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?
Since peanut butter, caramel-filled candies, and gummy snacks can pull your dentures out of
position, we recommend avoiding them. We also advise against eating extremely crunchy foods,
like croutons, raw almonds, peanut brittle, and hard pretzels, since they can cause your
restoration to chip or crack. Instead, fill your plate with cottage cheese, plain yogurt,
scrambled eggs, and other softer, smile-friendly foods.
Why Do My Dentures Smell?
If dentures aren’t cleaned properly, bacteria, plaque, and food particles will get trapped in
the various nooks and crannies. This can cause them to stain and develop an unpleasant odor.
That’s why it’s so important to take good care of yours! That starts with rinsing them with
clean, cool water when you take them off and extends to soaking them in a dentist-approved
cleaner while you sleep at night.
