Dentures – Merrillville, IN

Effects of Missing Teeth

Teeth can potentially be lost for a number of reasons. Sometimes it can be the result of getting hit in the mouth. In other cases, it might be a consequence of gum disease or another oral health issue. Additionally, if your tooth has suffered from severe decay and can no longer be saved, it might have to be removed.

There are several consequences of losing teeth for any reason:

• The lack of support can lead to facial sagging, thus aging your appearance.
• It may be more difficult to chew your food, leading to a limited diet.
• Your speech may be affected depending on which teeth were lost.
• Your self-esteem might suffer, especially if the teeth in question were toward the front of your mouth, thus leaving gaps that other people can easily notice.

Your quality of life is likely to suffer if you ignore missing teeth for too long. It’s in your best interest to schedule a consultation with us as soon as you can so that we can help you narrow down the tooth replacement method that is right for you.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

We typically recommend dentures in Merrillville for patients who have lost multiple teeth. Note that you will need healthy gums and a sufficiently strong jawbone before you can receive this type of dental prosthesis. Also, you will need to be able to take good care of your mouth and your dentures in the long run.

When discussing your candidacy for dentures, we’ll naturally take the time to consider the type of denture that’s right for you. Have you only lost some of your teeth? Partial dentures can fill in the gaps. Are all of your teeth missing? They can all be replaced simultaneously with full dentures. Do you want a prosthesis supported by artificial tooth roots? Implant dentures could be worth considering. You can count on our team to recommend the type of denture that best fits your situation.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you’re unable to get dentures, you may instead be eligible for a different form of tooth replacement:

• Dental Bridges: A dental bridge is supported by two of your natural teeth and fills in the empty space between them. You may want to consider getting a bridge if a single tooth or multiple teeth in a row are missing.
• Dental Implants: Dental implants are surgically placed in your jaw so that they can support a lifelike prosthesis. One of the advantages of dental implants is that they are highly versatile and can be used to replace any number of teeth.

Restored Bite Force

Oftentimes, patients who are struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss have one choice: to eat the same soft, bland foods on repeat. If this sounds all too familiar, then you’ll be happy to hear that dentures are crafted from only the best materials. As a result, a portion of your bite strength will be restored, allowing you to eat more of the foods that you love in the process.

Cost-Effective

Not only can dentures in Merrillville replace a large number of missing teeth, but they can also last for 5+ years with the proper care and maintenance. Additionally, many dental insurance providers cover a portion of the cost, keeping your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum. So, there’s a good chance that they are a great option for your smile and your wallet!

Easy Maintenance

Fortunately, you don’t need to purchase expensive cleaning products to keep your dentures in pristine condition. Just use a damp, soft-bristle toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to clean the surface after each meal. Then, every night before you go to bed, place them in a clean container filled with water or a dentist-approved cleaner.

If you have implant dentures, then it’s even easier because you can take care of them like normal teeth (i.e., brushing twice a day, rinsing with mouthwash daily, scheduling an appointment with your dentist in Merrillville every six months)!

Natural Look and Feel

Oftentimes, patients assume that dentures look obvious or feel bulky. While that may have once been the case, this restoration has benefited greatly from advancements in both dentistry and technology. Now, the comfortable construction keeps your gums from being agitated or aching. Plus, the size, shape, and shade of each replacement tooth is custom-made, ensuring your smile will look bright and natural for years to come.

Clearer Enunciation

Patients are often surprised by just how difficult it is to enunciate clearly following tooth loss. Fortunately, dentures can help with that as well! By filling in the gaps in your smile or giving you an entirely new row of teeth, we can restore your self-esteem as well as your speaking patterns.

Important reminder: It’s normal for there to be a bit of a learning curve when you first get your dentures. Rest assured, our team will provide you with tips to help. That way, the adjustment period is as short as possible.

A new denture is like a door to a better life. If you’re ready to see what’s on the other side, give our team at United Dental Centers of Merrillville a call to schedule your denture consultation!

What are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are made of two main components, which are described in more detail below:

• The base. This is the gum-colored foundation that provides the shape and structure for your restoration and it can be made from different options, such as nylon, porcelain, or resin, by acrylic is the standard option. Partial sets usually also contain metal clips in the base that anchor to healthy teeth in your mouth.
• Artificial teeth. The pontics are typically made from resilient resin or porcelain that can be customized to resemble your natural teeth for beautiful results you can feel proud of.

The Denture Creation Process

It might vary slightly depending on your unique circumstances, but usually, making dentures involves the following step-by-step process:

• Step 1: Our team will make impressions of your teeth and gums that will be sent to a special dental laboratory, which uses them to build an accurate model of your mouth to ensure your restoration fits correctly.
• Step 2: A lab technician begins building a wax version of the gumline on the model cast.
• Step 3: Artificial teeth made of acrylic resin are sent into place using a device called an articulator, and the gums are carved and shaped to resemble your natural tissues.
• Step 4: This wax version is returned to our office so we can schedule you for a fitting and note any adjustments or changes required before sending it back to be completed.
• Step 5: At the lab, a technician places the prosthetics into a flask and fills it with plaster to maintain the shape of your dentures. Then, they set the container in boiling water to melt away the wax portions.
• Step 6: A liquid separator is added to the plaster, and holes are made in the teeth so that the acrylic, which is injected to replace the wax, can attach to them.
• Step 7: The plaster is gently removed using special instruments and your dentures are placed in an ultrasonic bath to be thoroughly cleansed.
• Step 8: Any excess acrylic from the base is trimmed away and the teeth are polished to perfection.
• Step 9: Our team will contact you once your completed restoration arrives to ensure they fit and function as intended before sending you home with a beautifully rebuilt smile!

Learn More About All-On-4 Implant Dentures

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It often takes patients about a month to fully acclimate to their new teeth, and it’s normal to experience some soreness or to develop a lisp, a speech slur, or other changes in your speech patterns until you adjust. You can help ease this transition by sticking to softer foods at first, like scrambled eggs, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and blended smoothies, that require less biting and chewing.

You might also practice reading out loud to yourself at home to rehearse challenging words or sounds until you feel more confident and comfortable with your enunciation.