Dentures have been around for several years and are a well-known method for tooth replacement. Thanks to improvements in dental techniques and technology, dentures are more durable and comfortable than ever before. At River Vista Dentistry, we have an eye for restorative treatments and work diligently to provide you with dentures that fit in seamlessly with your natural smile. Schedule your consultation with our Charlotte dentist today!
Benefits of Dentures
A few of the many reasons why patients choose dentures to complete their smile include:
- Improve Speaking Capabilities
- Last Up to 15 Years
- Look & Feel Like Natural Teeth
- Restore Smile Functionality
- Support Your Jawbone
Full Dentures
For those needing to replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth, we offer full dentures. Full dentures consist of a gum-colored acrylic base with porcelain false teeth attached. This prosthesis will be secured to the gum line with the help of a dental adhesive and is removable for cleaning and sleeping.
Partial Dentures
Similarly to full dentures, partial dentures are also made of an acrylic base and false teeth. However, they’re used when you still have natural teeth remaining in your gum line. Partial dentures use metal attachments to connect to the teeth surrounding your gap and the false teeth will fit precisely into the empty space.
Cost of Dentures
We understand that the cost of treatment plays a huge role in your choice of tooth replacement options. At River Vista Dentistry, we do everything we can to provide affordable dentures in Charlotte. We accept a variety of payment methods, work with several insurance providers, and offer our very own in-house dental membership plan. If you need assistance with out-of-pocket expenses, we also accept financing through CareCredit®. For more information about our financial options, please call to speak with a member of our team.
How should I care for my dentures?
Dentures need to be cleaned every day just like natural teeth to keep them looking and feeling good. When you remove your dentures, you’ll want to rinse them off and brush them with a denture cleaner or soap, as many toothpaste brands are too abrasive for dentures. You will also want to soak them overnight in a denture solution to keep them moist and clean. You should never clean your dentures while they are still in your mouth and always rinse them thoroughly after cleaning them to avoid ingesting denture cleaner. If you have any questions about caring for your dentures, feel free to ask our team!
Are dentures uncomfortable to wear?
When you choose full or partial dentures as your preferred tooth replacement option, we will have you come in for several appointments to ensure that your custom dentures look and feel as natural as possible. We take impressions of the gums to ensure that each arch fits comfortably, and if they don’t, we will take the time to make any necessary adjustments until they do. Your custom dentures may take a little while to get used to at first, especially if you need any teeth extracted, but after a couple of weeks you should be eating, talking, and smiling with confidence!
Can I sleep in dentures?
While we always recommend that patients remove their dentures at night, you can wear them while asleep every once in a while if you can’t remove them for some reason. Removing dentures at night relieves the pressure on your gums and tends to be more comfortable for sleeping. It’s also crucial that dentures stay moist to maintain their custom shape, so soaking them in a denture solution during the night is preferable to sleeping in them, as mouths tend to become dry during the night. If you decide to sleep in your dentures, you must remove them to clean them properly before placing them back in for the night.
Are dentures better than implants?
Dentures and dental implants are used by different patients for different reasons. Sometimes patients want a less invasive restorative option, so they choose to go with dentures over dental implants. In other cases, a patient may not be eligible to receive an implant due to a lack of healthy jawbone tissue or for other health reasons, so they opt for dentures. Our team can go over your option with you and help you make the best decision for your smile during your consultation.
How long do dentures last?
Dentures typically last anywhere from 5-10 years on average. Even when they are treated very well, dentures do need to be replaced eventually due to the wear and tear they receive from being used on a daily basis. We recommend keeping them as clean as possible and following the instructions that are provided to you to help your dentures stay in great shape and last for as long as possible. Once you need new dentures, our team would be happy to assist you.
Can dentures be whitened?
Dentures cannot absorb teeth whitening products, so using whitening strips or whitening toothpaste is not advised. Their inability to absorb teeth whitening products also makes them quite stain-resistant, so you may never feel the need to whiten your dentures. Should you ever want to cosmetically enhance the appearance of your dentures, however, there are a variety of home remedies that can work to whiten dentures, like white vinegar and baking soda, as well as store-bought denture whitening products.