Do you have an old restoration that slips around your mouth? Are you looking for a way to replace an entire arch of teeth? Our dental office can create custom full or partial dentures to replace arches or rows of missing teeth. Dentures are dental restorations that improve the function and appearance of the smile. At 615 Smile Design Studio, we can create customized dentures for patients in Nashville, TN.
Dentures help improve bite function and aesthetics after you lose your permanent teeth. While many patients may opt for removable dentures, we offer the option of implant dentures. Dental implants help prevent facial sagging, tooth loss, and slipping dentures. Implant-retained dentures offer a removable option, while implant-supported dentures are fixed.
Why You Should Replace Missing Teeth
Waiting to replace your lost teeth can lead to increased oral health issues, including:
- Shifting Teeth: Remaining natural teeth can shift to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. As a result, you can experience overcrowding. Overlapping and overcrowding make it harder to clean your teeth and gums.
- Increased Risk of Decay: If you lose teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease, you will likely spread the infection to your remaining teeth or gums. Harmful bacteria can also collect in your missing tooth socket, contributing to infection.
- Bite Problems: After you lose your permanent teeth, you will find it harder to bite and chew properly. Gaps in your smile can lead to speech problems and trouble eating. An uneven bite also increases the risk of bite problems like TMJ disorders.
If you already have trouble with your missing teeth, it’s time for a restoration. In some cases, you may need a new restoration if you already have a denture but have trouble eating or speaking properly. Our office can create a natural-looking and comfortable restoration, whether this is your first tooth replacement or your fifth.
Types of Dentures
Dentures are complete or partial. Complete dentures replace all of the missing upper and lower teeth, while partial dentures only replace multiple teeth in different parts of the mouth.
In addition, there are several main types of dentures we use in our office:
- Conventional Denture: Our office places this denture after we remove problem teeth, and your tissues have time to heal. Once you are fully healed, we will place this denture as the final restoration.
- Immediate Denture: We place this temporary denture the same day we remove any problem teeth. Our office will recommend removing severely infected or damaged teeth before we place your dentures. Removing these teeth reduces the risk of oral health problems after your restorative treatment.
- Overdenture: This denture can cover implants or any remaining natural teeth. Sometimes, we can save remaining natural teeth so your denture stays stable. However, in other cases, we recommend dental implants to support your denture.
Dentures in Nashville, TN
Traditional dentures are false teeth on a gum-colored base that use adhesives or snaps to stay in place. Many patients with traditional removable dentures may find eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods difficult. These dentures may not fully support the health of the jaw bone and gum tissue because the dentures lay on the gums. As a result, some denture patients can experience bone loss and gum problems.
Dental implants offer an alternative to traditional dentures. Implants are small prostheses made of titanium. A single dental implant consists of a small metal post, a connecting abutment, and a dental crown. However, multiple implants can also support a bridge or denture.
An oral surgeon places an implant in the jaw bone during implant treatment. The jaw bone grows around the implant to support the bite as the implant heals. This healing process helps the implant act like a natural tooth root. Implant-supported dentures ensure that false teeth are secure in the mouth and support the surrounding bone and gum tissue.
Treatment with All-On-Four Implants
You don’t need to replace every single tooth with a dental implant. Implant-supported dentures can use four to six implants to secure an arch.
Before treatment, we ensure patients have enough jaw bone to support the implants. We may recommend bone grafting if you have jaw bone loss. Our office will also ensure you are in good oral health. We will remove areas of damage or decay before treatment to ensure the denture is stable. Removing infected teeth can also reduce the risk of implant failure.
To plan implant treatment, we will take detailed X-rays and images of the smile to find the best areas to place the implants. We strategically place each implant to create a functional, healthy bite. Our office will then take dental impressions to make the denture.
We work with a local oral surgeon to place the implants in the mouth. Over 3 to 6 months, the implants fuse with the jaw bone. Once they are fully healed, we finalize the denture prosthetic.
What is “Teeth in a Day”?
“Teeth in a Day” refers to removing problem teeth, placing implants, and providing a temporary restoration in one visit. This process ensures you are not without teeth while you wait for your final restoration.
How Much Are Dentures?
The cost of dentures can depend on many factors, including:
- Number of missing teeth
- Type of denture
- Anesthetic and sedation
While dental implants cost more than removable dentures, patients prefer the long-lasting, durable results of implant dentures. Implant dentures last longer than removable dentures, prevent jaw bone loss, and improve bite function.
615 Smile Design is in-network with PPO insurance to cover part of the treatment cost. We also work with Cherry Financing, Alphaeon, Lending Club, and CareCredit to keep treatment within your budget.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Do you want to restore the full function of your smile? Get dentures in our Nashville, TN office. Call 615 Smile Design Studio today at (615) 637-2878. You may also schedule a dental appointment with our team online.
Let us know if you have any questions; we will gladly help. We serve patients from Walnut Hill, Summit Oaks, and Windsor Terrace.